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Raising the Standard
Evangelist Dr. Bob Sanders
December 1, 2011
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Galatians 1:11-14 “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. 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: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in
mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the
traditions of my fathers.”
When we come to this passage in
Galatians, Paul was in a defensive mode! A group known as
Judaizers had begun to follow the Apostle Paul and attempt to
undermine the gospel message of grace. Their purpose was to put
everyone back under the Law and destroy the message of grace. In
Galatia, their methods have been somewhat successful in
confusing the believers there. The tactics used by the Judaizers
was that of undermining the message by undermining the
messenger! The Judaizers would erode the Galatians continuance
in the message by eroding their confidence in the messenger.
This was the reason Paul was on the defensive. At this point,
Paul knew that he had to reestablish the Galatians’ confidence
in him or they would totally reject the message of grace.
In Galatians 1:14, Paul made a
statement about himself, “And profited in the Jews' religion
above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly
zealous of the traditions of my fathers.” Paul wanted the
Galatians to know that the Judaizers had misrepresented his
standing and where he fell among the ranks. Paul was saying, “I
don’t strive to meet the standards, I set the standard!”
What Paul told the Galatians was
not something new, but rather something they already knew,
“For ye have heard of my conversation in time past.” When
you consider the standard, remember what you know.
(I) Paul’s
Pedigree – Philippians 3:4-6
I’m the standard in regard to
pedigree, “If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he
might trust in the flesh, I more” (Philippians 3:4). Paul
was willing to compare pedigrees with any man. I’m from a good
family, raised right, attended the institutions, and I have
acquired an excellent name for myself.
(II) Paul’s
Placement or Position – Galatians 1:14
“profited . . . above many”
I’m the standard in regard to
position, “profited . . . above many.” The word
“profit” means to drive forward as if by beating, to advance
in amount, to grown in time, to be well along. The word
“above” means over, beyond, superior to, more than. Paul is
saying, “I’ve fought my way to the top!” “I may have a rival,
but if I do, they’re behind me because I’m ahead of the pack!”
(III) Paul’s
Passion – Galatians 1:14 “being more
exceeding zealous”
I’m the standard in regard to
passion, “being more exceedingly zealous.” The word
“zealous” means one that is a zealot and comes from a word
meaning, to have warmth of feeling for or against. The word
phrase “more exceeding” means more super abundantly, much
more. Paul is saying, “Nobody has worked harder and is more
fired up about this than I am.”
(IV) Paul’s
Pursuits – II Corinthians 11:23-28
I’m the standard in regard to
pursuits, “Are they ministers of Christ . . . I am more”
(vs.23). Paul is saying, “When it comes to pursuits, “Nobody
has done more and paid a higher price for it than I have.”
In his defense against the claims
of the Judaizers, Paul declared himself to be the standard in
Pedigree, Position or Placement, Passion, and Pursuits. Paul is
not looking for the standard so that he can meet it; he has set
the standard for all those that are man enough to follow!
If the story had ended there,
Paul would have been alright; much like most of us. We’ve got a
lot to be proud of.
(IV) Paul’s
Problem – Galatians 1:13-14
While the Galatians knew of
Paul’s past performances, they did not know of Paul’s present
problem! In Galatians 1:13-14, Paul revealed his problem
concerning setting the standard. While I am not sure if the
believers at Galatia picked up on what Paul is saying, Paul was
well aware of the problem.
Paul was the standard if it were
not for the substance of the real standard! In verse
13&14, Paul uses a phrase twice, “in the Jew’s religion.”
The substance of the real standard was not religion, but
righteousness! Paul had no problem attaining and surpassing the
standards of religion, but when it came to the aspects of
righteousness, that was an entirely different matter.
Paul was the standard if it were
not for the subject of the real standard! In verse 14,
Paul uses a phrase “my equals.” The word equals”
means one of like age or character. Paul’s problem was the
subject of the real standard is not the saints, but the
Sovereign! Paul looked real good when he compared himself with
everyone in his own class. Paul would have no rivals until he
caught a glimpse of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road,
that’s the day all of Paul’s real problems began to surface.
The real standard of pedigree;
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
The real standard of position;
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and
things under the earth” (Philippians 2:9-10).
The real standard of passion;
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who
for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God” (Hebrews 12:2).
The real standard of pursuits;
“endured such contradiction of sinners against himself . . . Ye
have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin” (Hebrews
12:3-4).
After seeing the
substance and the subject of the real standard, Paul
said, “But what things
were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ . . . for whom
I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but
dung” (Philippians 3:7-8).
Today, let’s do what the Apostle Paul did; let’s
acknowledge the real substance and subject of the standard;
righteousness and not religion, the Sovereign and not the
saints. Let’s raise the standard for our lives to that which
would bring glory and honor to Him.
God has not
called us to measure up to the brethren, but to bear the image
of the Beloved! If you live with the goal of meeting the real
standard here, it won’t be so bad when you meet the real
standard over there! “For we must all
appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may
receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.” II Corinthians 5:10 |
