Why does Paul write this letter? An important question to begin with and in chapter 1 we get a few clues. In the first few verses after the greeting we see the idea that we were predestined to be adopted into God's family. Theologians throughout the ages have debated the free will vs. predestination idea, and gone round and round with that. Why? Maybe I'm too simple, but to me, God is bigger than all that. He provided a way for fallen, sinful people to come to Him through Christ, and He has always known who would accept that offer. He is the One who provides the Holy Spirit that enables a fallen, sinful human being to come to faith in the first place.
In this chapter we learn that we are adopted in the family of God, that we have a rich inheritance, and that our inheritance has been earned by the blood of Jesus, providing forgiveness thanks to the lavish grace of God. Grace means undeserved favor. We have not and cannot earn our standing with God. Jesus has made the only way for us to be in right standing with an infinitely holy Creator.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Galatians 6 - It's All About the Cross
After beginning this final chapter of the letter with a few last encouragements and serious warnings, Paul finishes by recapping his primary purpose for writing. And here it is:
13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.
Paul understands that even our very best efforts to live for God are tainted by sin, and there is literally nothing we can ever do to deserve the grace and blessing He has poured out and made available to all who would receive the gift of Christ's death and resurrection.
There is plenty in Galatians, Paul's other writings, and the rest of Scripture that pushes us toward right living, but when we get it right, our motivation can never be a desire to earn God's favor. We are unable to deserve blessing from Him based on our accomplishments. God blesses (and redeems) us not because we deserve it, but because of His love. He is our Father and our lives are lived for His sake as a result of that love relationship. That's where I so often go wrong.
13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.
Paul understands that even our very best efforts to live for God are tainted by sin, and there is literally nothing we can ever do to deserve the grace and blessing He has poured out and made available to all who would receive the gift of Christ's death and resurrection.
There is plenty in Galatians, Paul's other writings, and the rest of Scripture that pushes us toward right living, but when we get it right, our motivation can never be a desire to earn God's favor. We are unable to deserve blessing from Him based on our accomplishments. God blesses (and redeems) us not because we deserve it, but because of His love. He is our Father and our lives are lived for His sake as a result of that love relationship. That's where I so often go wrong.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Galatians 5 - Freedom and Fruit
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of slavery. If you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. In Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. You, my brothers were called to be free.
Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious; sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious; sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Galatians 4 - Jesus + Nothing = Everything
This whole book deals with the idea that our standing with God has nothing to do with anything we do ourselves. There is no level of achievement or accomplishment on our part that obligates God to include us in His family. Our best efforts are tainted with sin and worthy of death. That's the bad news.
The good news, found throughout the Scriptures, shows up again in Galatians 4:
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."
There is nothing we can add to the work Jesus has done that qualifies as sons/daughters of the living God. So when Paul learns that the Galatians are worried about turning back to weak and miserable principles, observing special days and seasons, and being circumcised in an effort to earn status with God, he responds forcefully. The Galatians need to be reminded of the truth of the Gospel; the good news that we can add nothing to the work of Jesus. And that any attempts to add to what He has accomplished are misguided at best and probably incredibly dangerous.
We see Paul's passion for the purity of the Gospel, along with his passion for allowing Christ to love people through him. I know that God is always working in us to gradually become like Jesus, but I wouldn't mind being a lot more like Paul along the way.
The good news, found throughout the Scriptures, shows up again in Galatians 4:
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."
There is nothing we can add to the work Jesus has done that qualifies as sons/daughters of the living God. So when Paul learns that the Galatians are worried about turning back to weak and miserable principles, observing special days and seasons, and being circumcised in an effort to earn status with God, he responds forcefully. The Galatians need to be reminded of the truth of the Gospel; the good news that we can add nothing to the work of Jesus. And that any attempts to add to what He has accomplished are misguided at best and probably incredibly dangerous.
We see Paul's passion for the purity of the Gospel, along with his passion for allowing Christ to love people through him. I know that God is always working in us to gradually become like Jesus, but I wouldn't mind being a lot more like Paul along the way.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Galatians 3: Best Kept Secret
I got nearly all this, including the title of this post, from an author named Jerry Bridges. In his devotional book called Holiness, he writes about Galatians 3:3:
"One of the best kept secrets among Christians today is this: Jesus paid it all. I mean all. He not only purchased your forgiveness of sins and your ticket to heaven, He purchased every blessing and every answer to prayer you will ever receive. Every one of them -- no exceptions."
How often do I live like these Galatians, who apparently had fallen into the trap of believing that once they were forgiven in Christ, it was their responsibility to clean up their act so that they could earn and deserve God's gift to them. That's the reality of the Gospel; there is nothing and never will be anything we do to merit God's blessing on our lives. We are certainly called to obedience, discipline, etc., but these do not earn our status as children of God. In fact, the obedience, discipline, etc. we are called to is impossible apart from the redemptive, transformational work of the Holy Spirit. Last week we looked at chapter 2 in which Paul claimed that he no longer lives, but that Christ lives in him. That reality is the only thing that makes obedience and faithfulness and ultimately, Christlikenss a possibility for any of us.
The final verse of the chapter summarizes nicely for us:
"If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." We don't work to earn it. It's a gift to be received gratefully.
"One of the best kept secrets among Christians today is this: Jesus paid it all. I mean all. He not only purchased your forgiveness of sins and your ticket to heaven, He purchased every blessing and every answer to prayer you will ever receive. Every one of them -- no exceptions."
How often do I live like these Galatians, who apparently had fallen into the trap of believing that once they were forgiven in Christ, it was their responsibility to clean up their act so that they could earn and deserve God's gift to them. That's the reality of the Gospel; there is nothing and never will be anything we do to merit God's blessing on our lives. We are certainly called to obedience, discipline, etc., but these do not earn our status as children of God. In fact, the obedience, discipline, etc. we are called to is impossible apart from the redemptive, transformational work of the Holy Spirit. Last week we looked at chapter 2 in which Paul claimed that he no longer lives, but that Christ lives in him. That reality is the only thing that makes obedience and faithfulness and ultimately, Christlikenss a possibility for any of us.
The final verse of the chapter summarizes nicely for us:
"If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." We don't work to earn it. It's a gift to be received gratefully.
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