Galatians 1:11-16

NOT of man, but of God:

^{11 “}But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” What distinguishes God’s salvation from that which men profess is that the Gospel declares that ‘Salvation is of the LORD,’ Jonah 2:9. There is a ‘gospel’ preached today that says that man must cooperate with God in order for God to save him. Such a gospel is a perversion and no gospel at all, Galatians 1:8,9.

By the revelation of Jesus Christ:

^{12 “}For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” The popular message of salvation that is preached today is one of the sinner reaching out the hand of faith and receiving or accepting an offer. However, the Gospel of God is not a reach or an offer, it is the revelation of the LORD Jesus from the inspired Word in the heart of an elect sinner. The knowledge of the LORD Jesus is not by education or reformation but the LORD Himself revealed in the heart. Yes, the Gospel must be preached in all it purity to the singular exultation of the LORD Jesus and His sacrificial death, but it is not for man to invite or attempt to persuade sinners to decide for ‘jesus’, but rather to wait on the LORD for HIM to reveal His Son in the heart, Lam. 3:26, Micah 7:7.

Separation from former religion:

Walk the walk, talk the talk religion:

^{13 “}For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion,” Paul wrote of his former conversation in the Jews’ religion, which was nothing more than the walk the walk and talk the talk religion today. Salvation is preached as a believe and do religion, but it is vain worship because it exalts the works of men rather than the work of Christ.

Free will versus free grace religion:

“how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:” The church that Paul persecuted were the elect, blood-bought sinners, saved by grace in Christ alone, and called out by His Spirit. Paul, being in darkness, thinking his own will and works to be meritorious with God, fought against Christ and His doctrine, as do all who follow free-will religion today.

Wealth and prosperity religion:

^{14 “}And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation,” There is a lot of power, prestige, promotion, pride and profit in false religion, Revelation 13:1-18.

Traditional religion:

“being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.” Rules, regulations and customs bind adepts of religion, and these are the grave clothes from which the LORD does deliver those in whom He reveals His Son.

When it pleases God:

^{15 “}But when it pleased God,” It is not up to the sinner to decide when, where or how. It’s not when it pleases us, but when HE is pleased to do His work of grace, in the heart, by His Spirit, making the blind to see and the deaf to hear, Matthew 11:26,27.

Foreordained and called:

“who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,” Even while Paul was breathing out hatred and persecution of Christ’s people, yet, he was already an object of mercy, a chosen vessel from eternity, Acts 9:15.

The revelation of the Son: