Observations on Paul's letter to the Galatians- part 1

Paul’s writings to the various churches in the New Testament bring to light just how passionate and sold out for the message of Jesus Christ Paul was. His transformation on the Damascus Road was a once in a life-time experience, maybe even a once in history experience. It was interesting to see how quickly Paul went from being one of the most fanatical “Christian hunters”, to one of the most passionate and confident disciples or ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thought it interesting that he did not wait to get confirmation from any man or any authority before starting his ministry. God confronted him on the Damascus road and immediately he started preaching the message given to him.

With this kind of passion, this kind of dedication to the message that he carried, how could anyone stop him? To me, the principle of Paul’s beliefs and actions are very much like a Jihadist, let me explain. On October 5, 2007, Jeffery Imm wrote this about Jihadists’ “Love of death”; “…Afghanistan Jihadist Maulana Inyadullah put it succinctly and clearly: "We are not afraid of death. The Americans love Pepsi Cola, we love death" ... "We fought for the cause of Islam, because Allah commanded us. We embraced death, we were willing to be martyrs". Now I am not saying that Paul was looking to be killed for what he professed to be true, but I also do not believe that he would shy away from his death, especially if he had to choose between denouncing Christ and the message of forgiveness through faith in Him, or dying.

Paul had that kind of passion. He was visited directly by Christ, and it profoundly impacted his life. Paul’s urgency in getting to his ministry hints to his lack of concern about what men thought. They knew his past, they knew what he stood for and what he had done, yet that didn’t bother him. He received his orders and he unswervingly headed out to accomplish the goal.

Throughout all his letters to the churches, this is apparent, especially in his letter to the church of Galatia. He starts the letter with a greeting, but then proceeds to give them a what-for message. He didn’t care what people thought of him, as long as the message of Christ was given and the Kingdom was advanced. He was no longer living for himself but for Christ. Today’s ministers could take this into account as they head out into their own Christ centered ministries. As ministers of the Good News of Jesus Christ, we ought not to be worried about what other men think of us or for our own interests. If we are to spread the message we have been given through grace in Jesus Christ, we should do so with passion that puts self last and others first.