The Gospel Came Directly From God - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12

The Gospel Came Directly From God
Paul absolutely assures the Galatians that the gospel he preached is not according to man. Indeed, it is entirely contrary to the natural thought of man, for it emanates from One whose thoughts are higher than man's thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us of this: "‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways.'" If he would receive blessing, man must receive the absolute and complete truth of the declared Word of God.

Not by the agency of man did Paul learn the gospel, nor was he thus taught it. Many plausible schemes can be composed by clever innovation and can be drilled into a man's intellect until he will hotly defend them and contend for them against every protest. Would they accuse Paul of this? The gospel had not been taught to him; it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

When it is a matter of the soul's relationship to God, it is of no use to teach the flesh. Paul had been given a direct revelation from Jesus Christ. In his declaration of it there is much teaching, but in no case does he appeal to the flesh to recognize it. It is not possible for the flesh to attain to its understanding. Admonition, reproof, and entreaty are more outstanding than teaching in this epistle, so that the Galatians would be awakened to the Spirit's presence and work, with which the flesh has nothing to do. The flesh only opposes it and will not welcome reproof. But the believer, in whom the Spirit of God dwells, will be awakened to a sense of the truth of the Spirit's words, and bow to them with grateful thanksgiving.

L. M. Grant