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Wednesday
Mar 25th, 2020
By: Matthew Sink
Galatians: Day 3

Galatians 1:11-24 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.

In these verses, Paul recounts his incredible testimony. He remembers how God called him from a life of hunting down and killing Christians. The transformation was so stunning that people struggled to believe it was real. When Paul preaches Grace, he preaches as one who has received Grace!

The verse that jumps off the page for me is verse 24: “And they glorified God because of me.” Paul looks back and sees this incredible, transformative journey, and he smiles as he remembers, “My story brought God glory!” The more you understand about Paul, the more you realize that’s all he wants.

Today is a new chapter in mystory. I don’t know what the day will hold. I’m certain it will include interactions with a variety of people. I’m sure it will hold moments of joy and moments of conflict. I may face temptation today. There may even be moments in which I stumble, though I pray that I won’t – that I will walk closely with Christ. But no matter what else happens, I pray above all else that people will glorify God because of me.