Love letters to the terminally ill! v26n5

Good day. Today we are posting the next newsletter in the series "Love letters to the terminally ill, Vol 26 No 5, written by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the current 2023 year.

​Vol 26 No 5
Love letters to the terminally ill!
To have you hear, what you have not heard. (herd)
 
Galatians 1:10-12 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.12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. KJV
 
What one must realize is that Paul’s insights into the Word was by revelation from Father. For the vast majority of people, when they hear the scriptures being quoted, they already have preconceived notions of what “they think” the scripture says, rather than waiting for Father to reveal the daily bread He has for the individual. All too often we get what is called “herd” mentality when we hear what others have had to say, but never study seeking Father’s approval, affirming that which He has for us.
 
Just as at the start of this epistle, so many people read and hear that which has previously been taught, or opinions shared, of what others think it says, and thus they miss that fresh daily bread that Father has for them.
 
I very often hear people say, “if I only knew God’s will for my life,” and yet never have the time to hear Father’s answer for their daily need. You need to recall verse four in this chapter, where Father’s will for the believer is clearly stated.
 
As we note in the opening verses for today, how Paul states that he seeks to please the Father, and there are no other options for Paul, it was all about developing an ever-increasing fellowship with Father by and through the revelation of Christ Jesus. This could only come about by Paul listening to Father on how and why Christ Jesus accomplished reconciliation for all mankind, thus establishing a Father son relationship with him.
 
One must recall that Paul was steeped in the traditions and rituals of the fathers of the Jewish faith, which many of these would lead one again to be indebted to the law, rather than grace. Thus, we can see the vital importance of having a continually growing insight into the revelation of the mystery of the gospel, Jesus Christ, and all that was truly accomplished at the cross and the grave, to make His grace and mercy available to any and all that might believe and come and follow Him.
 
For many, they make the choice to follow the traditions and doctrines of men, rather than to seek the truth. This is what I call “herd” mentality, as it is easier to follow the religious crowd, rather than to pick up their cross and come and follow Him.
 
One must keep fresh in their heart and mind, that Christ Jesus is the righteousness of God that is afforded to each and every believer (1Corinthians 1:30). In His wisdom one has the ability to seek Father’s wisdom into the revelation of Jesus Christ. To know the mystery of the gospel, so one is able to hear Father in every moment, in every instance, to know where their next step is to be directed (Psalms 37:23). This should be an everyday, every moment occurrence in our walk with Him.
 
It is not by any earthly powers, nor by one’s own might, but rather revelation comes by His Spirit, who will lead us and guide us into all truth, if, one makes the decision to come and follow Him. (Zechariah 4:6)
 
It is by His Spirit that one is able to have and maintain a personal relationship with the Father, by and through Christ Jesus. One must treasure this in their heart and mind, that no person shall come to the Father but by and through Christ Jesus.
 
Paul penned this epistle to please the Father and not mankind. His hope and desire was for the Galatians to hear Father’s wisdom put forth, and what His Son accomplished for them, that they might again become the children of God. We have to maintain our fellowship with the Father by and through Christ Jesus while the adoption papers are being completed, so that your name may be recorded in the Lamb’s book of Life.
 
Galatians 1:13-15 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, KJV
 
We all have a past! We were all at one time separated from God. The outlook for eternity at that place and time did not look good for us. People often times try to grade sin, and then point fingers elsewhere to draw attention away from themselves. Paul is giving us a brief glimpse of what his life before Christ Jesus was like. Without the revelation of Jesus Christ in one’s life, one is wandering aimlessly in a vast area of desolation. How did Paul overcome all of this guilt and shame? There was no Old Testament sacrifice that could bring life and peace to his heart. It took the revelation of Jesus Christ for the scales to fall from Paul’s eyes, thus enabling him to begin to see the revelation of Jesus Christ more clearly.
 
Just as most people today are tied to and are loyal to organizations and such, and follow them blindly, because they do not have a working knowledge of the truth of God and His Word.
 
Note that Saul of Tarsus excelled above many his equal. Also note that Paul was exceedingly zealous in what he was doing to eliminate those whom he thought were a threat to his beliefs. He imprisoned or had killed those who were a threat to his beliefs. It was only as Paul came to the realization that he was in fact persecuting the true believers, and how it was accomplished, that Paul was able to find and accept the reconciliation afforded him by and through Christ Jesus. In a moment all of his transgressions and sins were forgiven, new life in Christ. As Paul says in one of his other epistles, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are passed away, for all things become new.
 
Now note in verse 15 above, one has to listen closely and attentively to what the Spirit is showing us, how Paul became separated from his mother’s womb. The fleshly ties of his earthly lineage had been broken, and his lineage now belonged to Father’s family. Old things had indeed passed away, and all things became new in Christ. One must keep in mind that Jesus Christ was the first born of many brethren. The first born from the dead. Thus, showing us the path that we too could follow.
 
Note William Burkitt’s comments: The qualification necessary in a minister that reveals Jesus Christ unto his people, namely, that Christ must be revealed to him, and in him. We must learn Christ ourselves, before we pretend to preach him to others:
 
To emphasize again, to realize here, that Paul was separated from the fleshly ties which brought him into this world, and now followed the example of Jesus Christ, who was and is the first-born of many brethren.
 
What earthly ties are preventing you from having a deep and sincere relationship with the Father by and through Christ Jesus today?
 
 
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka
 
Copyright ©, Larry Gazelka