Sent Ones
Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2
“Paul, an apostle – sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead – and all the brothers and sisters with me. To the churches in Galatia:”
Galatians 1:1, 2
Why was it important for Paul to clarify at the outset of his letter to the Galatians that he was sent by Jesus Christ and God the Father?
Apostles are those who are sent. It was with the authority of the One who sends them that they would write and speak. Paul was writing to clarify and correct the understanding by the Galatian Churches of the Gospel, the essence of their salvation. The stakes were big.
Would the Galatians slide back into a ‘works-righteousness’ version of Judaism, or continue to live by faith and grace alone?
Paul and all those who live on mission with Jesus must be clear whose authority they are living under and with. The stakes of our message and ministry are eternal.
Do we know who has sent us and what he has sent us to communicate?
“Lord Jesus, I submit to your authority and pray for your kingdom to come and will to be done in my life and in your Church, for your glory.”