Galatians 5:6 For in the Messiah it doesn’t matter whether you are circumcised or not. The one thing that counts is faith working through love. Outward signs do not matter any more. This seems to be the message. However, we need to be careful not to toss the baby with the bath water. Symbols and symbolic actions still have great benefit to humans. It’s just the way we are made. It is also one of the ways … Continue reading →
Galatians 5:2–3 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. [ESV] This is outside most of our experience. It’s hard for us to fathom that becoming a male Jew … Continue reading →
Galatians 5:1 The Messiah has truly set us free. Stand fast and stay free, and do not get bound up in slavery again This is a glorious statement to us—Americans who have made freedom the center of our culture. But it is always a struggle because freedom assumes responsibility. Yes, we are free, but we are responsible for our actions. Are we really free before we realize that the basic freedom is to choose the one we … Continue reading →
Verse 4:12a Brothers and sisters, I became like you, so I beg you to become like me. Paul had taken on Gentile cultural practices in order to minister to them effectively. Here he is asking those to whom he ministered to become like him spiritually. This entire little section seems to be about reminding the Galatians about the ties they have of friendship and love. The larger question is: How much are we to mimic our leaders? … Continue reading →
This week we talk a bit about the bondage of the law and why God gave it to us. HINT: It was not to bring about a “good” or “perfect” society. It certainly was not to bring life or any of the fruit of the Spirit. ____________________________________ Galatians 3:19b–20 The law was given through angels who used Moses for a mediator to give the law to people. But a mediator is not needed when there is only … Continue reading →
Today we get into one of the core verses of scripture: Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with the Messiah. I no longer live, but He lives in me.” Until we understand this transaction, it is hard to move forward in our walk in the Kingdom. ______________________________ (Galatians 2 continues) Verses 2:15–16 We are Jews by birth and not sinners come out of the Gentiles. However, knowing that a person is not justified by the works of the … Continue reading →
One of the real joys found in my recent spiritual growth spurt has been Jesse Duplantis. It is always a joy to find a person who is free to be what the Lord made him. God is infinitely creative and Jesse is in the image of his Father. His freedom in the Lord is a true inspiration to me. The Everyday Visionary gives a practical method of implementing your vision Though it’s a small book, I took … Continue reading →
Accused of being religious — I hope not. What a horrible thing that is! I am certainly not religious, at least not too much. According to dictionary.com: a religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. The problem is that sets are defined and God is beyond definition—at least my God is. Sets of beliefs become merely points of argument: think waste of time. Yes, I can define many of my beliefs. Many of them are Biblical. I do see the … Continue reading →
The bible is a lesser Word — in truth the baby was larger and more powerful at birth. The Bible can’t really be understood without the help of the Holy Spirit. _________________________________________________ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. [John 1:14 RSV] This resounding, magnificent verse is the core of our faith. Here we have another … Continue reading →