QT 9/10/2024 Gal 5:25, Keep in step with the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–26 (ESV) —

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

NOTE: What does it mean to keep in step with the Spirit? Betz (1979) and Longenecker (1990) suggest

 

The verb translated “keep in step with” is a military term meaning to “be drawn up in line,” to “stand in a row.”

 

And T. George (1994) says

 

In Hellenistic philosophical circles, this word was used to mean “follow someone’s philosophical principles.” It suggests, therefore, the basic idea of discipleship: conformity to Christ under the leadership of the Spirit.

 

I like those definitions. I was hesitant to come up with my own, but these make sense. The next questions would be, "How do we keep in step with the Spirit?" Based on the above definitions, we need to know what the Spirit wants and is doing. The fruit of the Spirit in verses 22-23 is an excellent guide. But even more so, daily intake of the word of God and prayer is how we stay in step with the Spirit, otherwise it is too easy to get off track or out of step.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I meet with God every day in His word?
2. Do I pray every day?
3. Does my intermittent behavior suggest that God is not really a priority in my life?

 

PRAYER: Father, there are two things that have transformed me more than anything else, a regular quiet time, and teaching a bible study class. I look forward to my quiet time every morning. And I have learned so much in my preparation to teach a bible class. Thank you. Continue your work of transformation in my life.

QT 10/17/2022 1 Sam 2:22-26, We can't blame others for our poor choices

1 Samuel 2:22–26 (ESV) —

22 Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. 25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.

26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.

 

NOTE: There is a clear contrast given between Samuel and the sons of Eli who would not listen to the voice of their Father. It is common to blame parents for the sins of their children. And, Eli certainly has shown character qualities that would put some blame on him. But you can have terrible parents and turn out great, and great parents and turn out terrible. The prodigal son stories portrays God as the father with two prodigal children (one who actively opposed his father, and the other who passively opposed his father). God created Adam and Eve, and they rebelled against him. Later God refers to Israel and Judah as his daughters who prostituted themselves to other lovers. It doesn't matter who the Father is, a person has free will and makes their own choices. The sons of Eli chose to do evil. They did not care. They were spiritually dead and had always been. And while Fathers can help, it is not our parents who make our choices. We are responsible for our choices.

 

PONDER:

1. Who do I blame for my circumstances? Or do I take responsibility for my own circumstances? At a minimum, I can choose how to respond.

 

PRAYER: Father, I have responsibility how I live before you. No one makes those decisions. Circumstances are not an excuse. Thankfully, my salvation is secure. When I fail, I need to repent, pick myself up, and go forward again. Holy Spirit, I need your help to avoid my particular weak spots. I could easily be one of Eli's sons, but you have changed me from the inside out. I thank you and praise you.

QT 10/7/2022 Gal 6:12-16, Wash ideas in the word

Galatians 6:12–16 (ESV) —

12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

 

NOTE: It seems as if some Jewish Christian were more interested in the statistics of their ministry than the truth of the gospel. They used a key performance indicator (KPI) of "Gentiles circumcised" to track their ministry progress. There were certainly a group of those ultra-legalists in the Jerusalem church as evidenced in Acts 15.

 

Acts 15:1 (ESV) — But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

 

They may have been entirely committed, well-meaning, and believers as well, just completely wrong in their theology. I suppose it is good to see that doctrinal purity was just a struggle then as it is today. It is sad to see so many churches that disagree in theological matters. Some are understandable and minor, but it is the cults (Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, etc)  that disagree on major areas. Maybe they started with well-meaning believers, and maybe there are a few within them, but they are not advancing  the gospel of Christ but hiding the truth from view. Counterfeits will be seen. No one counterfeits a three-dollar bill or a $1003 bill, because there is no real underlying truth. The evil one counterfeits faith because he knows truth exists.

 

PONDER:

1. What am I doing to protect myself from developing counterfeit truth in my life?

 

PRAYER: Father, the only true protection from falsity is a deep and abiding relationship with you built and sustained on the word of God. When our truth comes from the world, it will be wrong in time. But when our truth comes from the word, it might be wrong at first, but daily washing of the word and spirit exposes falsity.

QT 10/6/2022 Gal 6:1-3, True spirituality is knowing I am still a sinner

Galatians 6:1–3 (ESV) —

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

 

NOTE: There seems to be two possibilities in understanding this text.  First, people who emphasize the law tend to be the same type of people who over scrutinize others.  They have a tendency to hold people to a standard that they do not keep themselves, but they think that they do. And so with overwhelming pride because of "some" laws that they are meticulous at, they look down upon the person who fails. They are always looking for the failures, so that they can point out those failures, and then feel good about themselves. These are the most dangerous of people in a church and probably do not deserve to be called Christian since they are only religious and certainly cannot have a personal relationship with the savior.

 

The second group of people more closely resemble Isaiah (who recognized his sinfulness) or Paul (who increasingly saw himself as a worse sinner every decade of his life). These people know that they fall far short of the holiness of God and are wholly dependent upon Jesus' righteousness. They recognize the insidious nature of sin. They hate the sin, but love the sinner, and in a spirit of gentleness help the person to repent and be restored. They are gentle because they know, that only by some undeserved grace, they are not caught in their brother's trap.

 

PONDER:

1. Which group do I most represent, the proud "Holy Joe" or "Pious Polly," or am I the one who knows what it means to be a sinner and is helping others to repent and renew?

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive my pride and any tendency to look down upon others. I am a sinner saved by grace. There is no reason or good in me for my salvation. There is only your love, unjustly received. Help me to treat kindly those who come to me in their struggles. Give me wisdom to help and encourage them.

QT 10/5/2022 Gal 5:22-26, Changing our life for good

Galatians 5:22–26 (ESV) —

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

NOTE: I never noticed the three groups of three.

 

1. Love, joy, peace.
2. Patience, kindness, goodness.
3. Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

 

The first group seems to reflect my relationship with God. The second, my relationship with others. The third group, my internal character, or my relationship with myself. The singular nature of the fruit of the spirit indicates that it comes whole from the Holy Spirit and it is the goal of the sanctification process in my life. God intends to produce the fruit described above in every believer, not some or part, but all of it.

 

We never arrive. We are never complete in this life. The Holy Spirit is working to produce all nine qualities. And there are no excuses. I can't say "I am just that way." Making a statement like that suggests that we do not believe God has the power to change me.

 

PONDER:

1. Where have I give up? Where am I no longer growing? I need to repent and recommit that area of my life to the Holy Spirit, daily if needed.

 

PRAYER: Father, you know my failures. There is nothing I can hide from you. I admit my sins. I desire greatly to change. Continue to change me from the inside out, so that I am a witness of Jesus' life changing power to others.

QT 10/4/2022 Gal 5:16-21, How to walk with the Spirit

Galatians 5:16–21 (ESV) —

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

NOTE: Paul has spent much of his letter arguing against the person who accepts circumcision or other aspects of the OT law, that they are not really saved. They are in bondage to a system that only enslaves. And yet, Paul is not saying that there is no law or that our liberty allows us to do anything. The key is the Holy Spirit. T. George highlights the four verbs that give us some insight into his role in our life:

 

… Paul used four distinct verbs to designate the Spirit-controlled life of the believer, all of which are roughly equivalent in meaning: to walk in the Spirit (v. 16), to be led by the Spirit (v. 18), to live by the Spirit (v. 25a), and to keep in step with the Spirit (v. 25b).[1]

 

So how is that lived out? What does it mean to be walk in the spirit? George's commentary on the passage suggests four other verbs:

 

In Paul’s vocabulary, to walk in the Spirit or be led by the Spirit means to go where the Spirit is going, to listen to his voice, to discern his will, to follow his guidance.[2]

 

All of these verbs carry implications in regard to his word. I have a QT each day. I spend a few hours each Saturday doing bible study. I've started praying through scripture verses recently. About the only other thing I could do is restart my nightly reading program, where I seek to read through the entire bible every year or few years. But then I need to obey, because listening is deceiving. And who of us does not struggle in some way with the list of sins. As Calvin put it …

 

For who is there who does not labor under one or other of these sins? I reply: Paul does not threaten that there shall be excluded from the Kingdom of God all who have sinned, but all who remain impenitent. The saints themselves are heavily burdened, but they return to the way. Because they do not surrender, they are not included in this catalog. All the threatenings of God’s judgments call us to repentance, for which pardon is always ready with God; but if we continue obstinate, they will be a testimony against us.[3]

 

If we do not repent but continue in these sins then we need to call into question our rebirth. Because, while we will always struggle with sin until Jesus returns, they should not characterize our life.

 

PONDER:

1. Is there any area that I have become hardened or desensitized toward? I need to repent -- every time -- meaningfully -- in tears if necessary.

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for your word and how it has changed my life. While I might think I do more than most, that is just pride, I too struggle and too must obey. My time in the word is good and helpful, and maybe I need it more than others, but I must always humble myself and repent when I fail you.

---------------------------------------------

[1] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 386).

[2] George, T. Ibid.

[3] Calvin, CNTC 11.104–5.

QT 10/3/2022 Gal 5:13-15, Living in peace, not grumbling

Galatians 5:13–15 (ESV) —

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

 

NOTE: While we are no longer under the law, it is not as if we are not under a law. In 6:2, Paul calls it the law of Christ, and equates it to the idea of bearing other's burdens, or if could characterize the law of Christ, I would say, "caring for others." And that is also Paul's argument in the above verses that the law is summed up in one thing, "love your neighbor as yourself." We all care about ourselves -- can we show the same care for others? Those without Christ bite and devour one another and allow themselves to be consumed by this hatred. There is great peace in not falling for this dart of Satan, which is the need to be avenged for some hurt another has done to you. I have a close relationship who can't let go of her pains, and so she is always in pain, and she is always bringing pain upon others. She is never truly at peace. She spends her life complaining about others and what they have done to her. How I pray that her eyes could be opened before she destroys another person.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I a complainer? We need to be honest with ourselves. We need to listen to ourselves. The first step down a path of pain is the inability to let go, and the second is the inability to love our enemy.

 

PRAYER: Father, I'm sure I struggle in this area as well. I can think of hurts although I don't think I dwell upon them. It would be easy to grumble and complain, and please show me when I am doing those things. I want to be at peace with you and with my fellow man.

QT 9/30/2022 Gal 5:1-6, Secret sins of spiritual pride

Galatians 5:1–6 (ESV) —

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

 

NOTE: Paul uses circumcision for his example but it is only one aspect of the Old Testament Law (and I wonder if any unique commandment might apply, like mixing cheese and meat), although circumcision is probably the singularly distinct aspect of being Jewish. To be a Jew, you must be circumcised. But to be a Jew, you must keep all aspects of the law. Paul's argument is that you don't need any of that and if you think you do, you really have missed the point of what Christ's death did for you. You have now placed "your works plus faith" as a condition for salvation. Paul makes it very clear, circumcision counts for nothing. Later in Romans, Paul says that Gentile believers are circumcised in their heart when they believe. Again in Romans, Paul is arguing that an internal change is better than an external change. The only thing our salvation depends upon is our faith -- not our attendance, not our tithes, not communion or baptism, not anything. All those things are good things but they do not change God's heart toward us in any greater or lesser degree.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I internally boast to myself of some discipline that makes me "better" than others? Repent then, it is sin.

 

PRAYER: Father, search me and know my heart and see if there be any wicked thing in it. I want to confess my sins of spiritual pride and my struggles of the flesh. I am and always will be dependent on the salvation received by faith in Jesus, and sealed by the Holy Spirit in my soul.

QT 9/28/2022 Gal 4:9b-11, Is church attendance a work?

QT 9/27/2022 Gal 4:1-7, Thank you Lord!

 

QT 9/26/2022 Gal 3:19-22, He did it all

QT 9/22/2022 Gal 3:10-14, Realizing our sinfulness

Galatians 3:10–14 (ESV) —

10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

 

NOTE: I am quite amazed in T. George's commentary how many opinions there are on this passage. People really want to believe in faith plus works, and so have come up with quite a few interpretations of what Paul 'really meant.' But the language is clear and the only proper way to interpret the passage is a common sense reading, in this case literal unless the passage dictates otherwise. One is cursed by one single failure in obeying the law as James makes clear:

 

James 2:10 (ESV) — For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

 

Why is it so hard to understand that we fail to attain perfection by an immeasurable degree? The best man is not 99 percent perfect compared to God's standard of holiness. The best man does not even register at 1 percent. When Isaiah, a godly man, stood in the throne room of God, he said:

 

Isaiah 6:4–5 (ESV) — 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

 

I think we really do not understand the holiness of God. The longer Paul walked in the faith, the more convinced he became of his own unholiness and sin. It is only the spiritually immature and the unbeliever who think they are nearly without sin. Those who walk with God know their sinfulness.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I think I am pretty good? Then I am fooling myself.
2. Do I think I am pretty good? Then I don't understand God's holiness

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for revealing to me my utter sinfulness. I am so unworthy of your love. I deserve nothing. And yet, I am loved; I am your beloved. Jesus did what I could never do because you chose to love me.

QT 9/21/2022 Gal 3:2-5, Beloved

Galatians 3:2–5 (ESV) —

2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—

 

NOTE: Well, technically Paul asked five things, but it was really only about one thing -- was your new birth by faith or by works of the law? And the point is that the Christian life starts by faith, is lived by faith, and translates to heaven by that original faith. When you add things to it, it really changes everything. It is no longer the Christian gospel but some new idol you have created in your mind. When we add a human component, it is no longer a work of God. The only human part is the choice to believe and receive. God did everything. Now, it is true that the sanctification process, becoming like Christ and a witness to humanity, that part is work. Sanctification involves lots of choices and actions, but the purpose IS NOT TO GAIN FAVOR WITH GOD, you cannot do any better than what Jesus did on the cross! You cannot gain any more favor with God than you have at the point of belief. You cannot lose God's favor either, unless you never really believed.

 

PONDER:

1. Do we truly believe in the Christian gospel? Or are we pursuing an idol created in our own mind of what we think Christianity should be? There is ONLY ONE gospel. Woe to the person who tries to add to that gospel.

 

PRAYER: Father, it is so freeing when you know that you are completely loved. I am part of the beloved. My position is secure, despite myself. Father, as I write this today, I want to pray for my brother in Christ, Phil. I hurt for him. It is so terrible to see injustice and to see innocent people terrorized and destroyed by the enemy. Free him. Give him a new ministry among those who are around him. Let his light so shine that others cannot ignore it but have to look at Jesus. Turn Satan's plans upside down. In Jesus name I pray.

QT 9/20/2022 Gal 2:16; 19-20, True righteousness

Galatians 2:16 (ESV) —

16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 2:19–20 (ESV) —

19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 

NOTE: It was hard for the Jewish Christian to give up all those years of law, obeying commands that were different from how others lived. They set the people apart. They were part of what it meant to be holy and to be God's people, but they did not solve the sin problem. Sacrifices only covered over the sin. Justification, being declared righteous was not possible through the law. So they (the Jewish Christians) did what many do today -- they mixed their faith and the law. As George writes,

 

We should remember that the problem in Galatia was not the overt repudiation of the Christian faith by apostates who formerly professed it but rather the dilution and corruption of the gospel by those who wanted to add to the doctrine of grace a dangerous admixture of “something more.” (George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 188). )

 

Gal 2:20 is one of my favorite verses of the bible, as it is for many others. For me, it is a reminder that my savior died for ME. Yes, he died for the world, but he died for me. He loved me, although I was unlovable, and he died for me. What does it then imply? Again George has a great thought and challenges me to how I should then live.

 

Being crucified with Christ implies a radical transformation within the believer. The “I” who has died to the law no longer lives; Christ, in the person of the Holy Spirit, dwells within, sanctifying our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and enabling us to approach the throne of God in prayer. (Ibid, p.201)

 

I'm a new creature now, the old has gone, the new has come. He has changed me. I am no longer that person, and because of that I desire to live my life wholly for him. Thank you Jesus!

 

PONDER:

1. Do I mix works and faith?
2. Is my life radically changed by the savior?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you so much for my salvation, my breastplate of righteousness. There is nothing the enemy can do to me to take my salvation away. I am secure in a righteousness that was obtained for me by Jesus.

QT 9/19/2022 Gal 2:11-4, There is no compromise regarding faith and works

Galatians 2:11–14 (ESV) —

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

 

NOTE: I'm not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing that our spiritual leaders are susceptible to religion, that is, to being seen or performing in a certain way. There are times, as Paul shares, where we do things for the weaker brother. But this does not appear to be one of those cases, at least in Paul's mind. Because, it attacks one of the central doctrines of the Christian faith, salvation by faith alone and works have no merit. This is a key concept, not something you do for a weaker brother, because it is wrong. So, the dividing line with religion concerns works and salvation. There is no merging of the two.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I merge salvation and works subtly without knowing it?
2. Do I have rules in the church and outside of the church that are a requirement for those who attend? If so, I may be living for works and not truly saved.

 

PRAYER: Father, protect us all from the subtle traps of religion. It is based on performance and not based on faith. Help me to be consistent with my life. Keep me from sin. Show me mercy. Give my daily bread. Forgive my sin.

QT 9/19/2022 Gal 2:10, Caring for the poor

Galatians 2:10 (ESV) —

10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

 

NOTE: Although this is very early in Paul's ministry, it does help us to understand Paul's heart. While Luke does not share the details in Acts, in Paul's letters we find that the return from the third missionary trip to Jerusalem was a special effort by Paul to support the poor Judean Christians. Apparently, this situation existed from the early days of the gospel, and may have been the reason for the creation of the deacons (Acts 4). This was not a quid pro quo to get an agreement, this was a heartfelt response of Paul that also weighed heavily on the leaders in Jerusalem.

 

PONDER:

1. What are my efforts to help?
2. Is it a priority in my life?

 

PRAYER: Father, I do support orphans, the poor, food ministries, and missionaries. What else do I need to do? There is no lack of food in my house. My problem is not having enough to eat but having too much. Help me to be sensitive to the opportunities that you provide.

QT 9/15/2022 Gal 1:15-16, God loved us FIRST!

Galatians 1:15–16 (ESV) —

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;

 

NOTE: In John's letter, he writes;

 

1 John 4:19 (ESV) — We love because he first loved us.

 

This principle is declared by Paul in his testimony. Paul was far from God. He was zealously seeking to destroy this movement. He was in the mold of the Maccabees, zealous to protect his faith. He was educated. He was committed. He had all the correct pedigrees. And he was dead wrong in his beliefs. And God took the first step. Paul wasn't seeking God, although he was trying with all of his effort to please him; God was seeking Paul. By grace (unmerited favor), Paul was called. God was pleased to reveal his Son to Paul. What an incredibly humbling sequence of events.

 

None of us found God. He found us. None of us were worthy. He loved us when we were unlovable. We were sinners in his eyes undeserving of anything good, and only deserving of Hell. Until we capture that essential truth, we will never really know how to thank God. He loved us first. We did not love him.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I really believe and understand that God loved me first?
2. Do I think my life was deserving of salvation, because if I do, then I am still in need of salvation.

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for loving me and freeing me from my deception. Your love can never be earned. It can only be received and enjoyed.

QT 9/14/2022 Gal 1:11-12, Knowing God, not religion

Galatians 1:11–12 (ESV) —

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

NOTE: The gospel has nothing to do with man-made religion. Satan has used religion to hide the truth of the gospel from people. Religion is when man-made rules are devised as a path to God. Whether it is Hinduism or Islam or Catholicism or Paganism, they are creations of man or at least add-ons of man to hide the truth. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a God-developed answer for man's greatest need -- a restored relationship to our creator and an answer to our sin burden. Jesus, God-man, who came to earth to show us the way and to die in our place is the mediator of this new covenant between God and man. Jesus is the point of the gospel. Faith is all that is required of the gospel. And Grace is the result of the gospel. We are saved from eternal separation from God by Jesus' work on the cross. It is pretty simple. And that is why Satan wants to make it messy, confusing, and man-based.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I have a relationship with Jesus or do I follow a religion/denomination?

 

PRAYER: Father, I lived before in religion and it is so satisfying to have a relationship with you. There really is no greater thing than knowing you (as the song goes). You give me life and you make life satisfying. Thank you for saving me and for revealing (giving glimpses of) yourself to me.

QT 9/13/2022 Gal 1:6-10, It is Grace, not religion and law

Galatians 1:6–10 (ESV) —

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

 

NOTE: This passage is one of the bluntest and harshest passages in the entire New Testament. The Greek word for accursed, anathema, is translated "condemned to Hell" and "eternally condemned" in two other translations. And the repetition of verse 8 and 9 is a long way of saying, if someone should preach or is preaching, they should be condemned to Hell. What is the issue at state? From the later context, some group of false teachers is mixing works into the gospel message. They are requiring that one follow the law in addition to believing in Jesus. They are adding legalism. They are creating religion instead of a relationship with Jesus Christ. They are destroying the gospel of Jesus Christ which is grace (unmerited favor) received by faith alone. People are more comfortable with a religion that has rules (a little works) as long as it does not affect their lifestyle too uncomfortably, like attend church one in a while or give a certain amount of money (not too much) or say your prayers before a meal. We want to feel in control. We don't like being dependent upon others. And there are always false teachers out there who will give people what they want in order to please them and gather a following.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I believe that there is no additional favor I can receive from God no matter what I do?
2. Do I believe I am completely and fully loved by God?

 

PRAYER: Father, protect me and my teaching from ever presenting a gospel different from the one fully revealed in the New Testament. We are not under the OT Law. We have freedom in Christ, although we are not to use our freedom to hurt your name or other members of the body. Continue to give grace and mercy to me these days.

QT 9/12/2022 Gal 1:1-5, We can't earn God's love

Galatians 1:1–5 (ESV) —

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

NOTE: Paul's salutation often hints at the topics his letter will discuss. One thing he emphasizes is that his apostleship comes not from men but from God. He is no way inferior in his teachings to other apostles. His teachings and his words have authority. Peter, who is rebuked by Paul in a story related in this letter, will say the same thing later in one of his letters, calling Paul's writings God's word. The second main point in the salutation is Jesus -- who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age. Jesus' work is complete. We are delivered -- we are justified. Our life now is lived as a witness of what God has done. Yes, we do work out our salvation so that our witness shows Jesus. But nothing we can do in this life will increase God's favor upon us. God the father already loves us because of what Jesus did on the cross.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I do things to gain God's favor?
2. Do I understand that I am fully loved by God because of Jesus?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you that my salvation is complete. I know I struggle to live it out at times. But I can never lose your love. You bring discipline, but you always love. Help me to rest in your love. It can't be earned by works. It is already fully given. I just need to rest in it.