6)
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him
that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7)
Which is not another; but there be some that
trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8)
But though we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let
him be accursed.
9)
As we said before, so say I now again, if any
man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed.
10)
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if
I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11)
But I certify you, brethren,
that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither
received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus
Christ.
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sweet to us as is “the revelation of Jesus Christ,” it should be a tragic
thought that many never receive this revelation because they are without the
anointing of the Spirit. Even those of us who have received this revelation
often go without the full realization of that revelation. The reason for this
is a lack of recognition of how God works.
It
is impossible to be “revelated” concerning Jesus
without the infilling of the Holy Ghost. The person of Jesus cannot be clear to
anyone without the Holy Ghost because being a Spirit,
He cannot be comprehended through the natural mind. He is illuminated only
through the Spirit. In much the same way, the Law was unable to help one
without the Holy Spirit, for even though direction was given, the hearers were
at a loss as to what to do. How many people really know how to accept or
“handle” Jesus outside of being saved?
Amazingly enough, many seem as “lost”
after salvation, as before.
It is impossible to imagine that the Spirit of the One Who created the heavens
and the earth is unable to transform the life of the one He inhabits. Yet, this
is what many would have us to believe. There is, amongst those calling
themselves “belonging” to Him, an absolute refusal (in many cases) to
accept what anyone says, much less, the Lord. What we often fail to
accept is that the Lord brings enlightenment to save our lives!
Despite
the denial of Him, the Light has come and the revelation of the truth is here!
It is a shame for the World (and the saint) to have this Light of revelation
and then, die and go to hell, anyway! So many lives are failing because of the
attempt to “mix” two separate lives—that of the flesh and that of the Spirit.
This is an agonizing way to live and one that will never be
productive. Quite often, we attempt this lifestyle because we are determined
to change what we do not like! The only problem is that God will change nothing
about Himself—and salvation is all about Him. So, guess who will do the
changing if change is to come?
At
some point, we are going to have to accept that rather than change our
situations, we need to accept our tests for what they are—opportunities for
growth. Though we know this in the Spirit, without being submitted to the Lord,
we will try all manner of ways to “blame” what we experience on others.
These
lives that we guard so zealously are predestined to hell and the lake of fire.
This is a reality from which we can escape only through a life submitted to the
Spirit. This is no revelation, but simply, truth. “The revelation of Jesus” is
the only means by which we can be changed and consequently, change our
destiny. If one intends to get any help
in his life, he will be unable to do so but by embracing the gospel of Jesus
Christ.
“The
revelation of Jesus Chris” is not exclusive to any people. It is, indeed, “the
power of salvation” to everyone. Upon receiving this power, we absolutely cannot
remain the same. This can be unsettling to some, and an explanation for why we
resist so strongly. You see, the truth of Jesus reveals to us who we are and
the power we possess—the former, whether good, or bad.
For
some, it is the practical aspects of the gospel that hold the most “drawing
power.” Without a doubt, drug addicts are cured of addictions by the
Spirit of God. There are no special programs, additional drugs, or anything
else that is necessary. There is absolutely no problem that Jesus has
not already solved. In fact, all of our blessings with God are in the past tense.
He has already blessed, already delivered and already saved!
The
path to power is in developing a relationship with the Lord which leaves
nothing that is important to our success a mystery. In that the Lord works
through our understanding, we can do nothing if we are not intimately
connected with Him.
The
Savior of the World has come to make our way to Him as blessed and fruitful as
possible. All that He asks in return is our complete dependence upon Him. Even
in our trouble, He shows Himself to be Who no one else
could ever be. He promises that if we will just exercise the courage to come to
Him and leave our problem with Him, He will always leave us with a
blessing. One need never leave Him empty-handed.
“The
revelation of Jesus Christ” was given to a world with no hope and no prospect
of redemption without Him. How then, so few centuries later, have we come
to hold both the gift and the Giver in so little esteem?