Galatians 1:11-12

Galatians 1:11-12 - I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

In Paul we see a man who committed his whole life to furthering the gospel in the known world, but it was not always that way. When we first see him in the book of Acts we see him as a well trained Pharisee. He had learned everything there was to know about serving God, or so he thought. At that time he was preaching and enforcing a gospel that had man’s fingerprints all over it. It wasn’t until he was on his way to Damascus that he realized he was wrong.
Paul knew the difference between a religion made up by man and a religion that came from God. He had lived in both worlds. As a child he learned all of the rules and regulations of being a Pharisee. When he became a man he was committed to following the religion that he had been taught. Then Christ came in and he received a revelation of God that changed his life forever.
That’s the amazing thing about the gospel we preach. You could spend your whole life studying and know the bible inside and out and it will do nothing for you. It doesn’t matter how many sermons you have heard, or for that matter, preached. Without revelation of God through Jesus it will all be for nothing.
Like the old saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” It is important to know God’s Word, but without knowing Him it is just another book. If you commit your life to knowing all about God, you will grow weary. But if you commit your life to knowing God and following His plan for your life you ‘will soar on wings like eagles; run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.’ Surrender yourself to God and trust Him to give you revelation of the gospel.