[Charles Henrickson]

Galatians 1: 1-12 (ESV)

Paul, an apostle--not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead--and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

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.

[Charles Henrickson]

Ping.

[American Constitutionalist]

Jesus Christ even said " For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. " Matthew 5:20

WHOA ! that's a pretty high standard for anyone to keep.

So what was Jesus saying ? that those law keeping religious leaders even failed God's ultimate standards ? yes in deed.
Jesus was basically saying that no one can get to heaven, or into God's kingdom with their own self righteousness.

None can cut the mustard.
There was only ONE who could fulfilled this.

If anyone could have saved themselves, then they have no need of a savor.
The book of Galations is ozzing with God's grace message.

[American Constitutionalist]

" Paul, an apostle--not from men nor through man "

I believe the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write this because what Paul was saying was not inspired by man nor is it man's idea, nor was it any kind of man's philosophy.

If man were to have written this the one who has the most toys wins and deserves to go to heaven.
God's law condemns all of us and shows us how corrupted all of us are in God's sight.
God's law is the great equalizer.
So to is God's grace, for God's grace makes no mention of Man's merits, so to it is a great equalizer.

[American Constitutionalist]

It could be thought that some of Paul's close contemporaries where also those who wrote the Gospel of Mark, and Luke.
Paul could have had a 2nd hand in helping in the writing of those 2 Gosples.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

I took you up on your challenge to read Galatians through. I think I’ll set a reminder.