Galatians 6:11-18 Podcast
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 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 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. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God. 17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen. (Galatians 6:11-18)
Having considered the first three characteristics of the spiritual man (mends the broken, helps the needy, and feeds the Spirit) in Galatians 6, today, we will close out the book of Galatians with the fourth characteristic of the spiritual man. The fourth characteristic of the spiritual man is he is captivated by the cross of Christ.
In v.11, the Apostle highlights that he writes with large letters. The reason Paul accentuates this is it is an example of the effect of the cross of Christ. Paul writes with large letters because he had poor eyesight. This was one of Paul's weaknesses. When you live in the shadow of the cross, you will not be afraid of others knowing about your weaknesses.
In v.12, we read that the false teachers were trying to make a good showing in the flesh. Not that it is wrong to put one's best foot forward, but the motive is most important. What is clear is these false teachers were not motivated by the work that Christ accomplished while on the cross of Calvary. They were motivated by selfishness.
When we are captivated by the cross, we will be defined accordingly. It is impossible to be proud at the foot of the cross. And so for those who don't want to humble themselves before God, the cross remains an offense or a scandal.
In v.16 we learn that God's peace and mercy belong to people who live by the rule that proclaims: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. "
In v.15 we read, "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation." This new creation is when the believer in Christ is defined by the cross of Christ. We are the new creation. we are the ones who have a heart for the One who laid down His life for us.
In v.14, we learn of three crucifixions. "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." In this one verse we have Christ's crucifixion, the crucifixion of the world to the believer, and the crucifixion of the believer to the world.
It is the love of Christ, best displayed at the cross which causes the captivated heart to want to bring glory to the Lord Jesus. A friend once said to me, "I must live so close to the cross that I get splinters in my nose." The flesh is fed most when we lose sight of the cross. It is imperative that the cross of Christ become the crosshairs of our every day lives.
Perhaps you'll remember the story of the little boy who moved into a new neighborhood. He decided to go on a ride on his bike. He rode and rode. As he rode he was taken aback by his new neighborhood. Then he realized he had not been paying attention and he did not know how to get back home. He began to cry. And, just then a police officer pulled up alongside the boy. Noticing his tears, the officer asked the boy what was wrong. The boy informed the officer that he was lost. So, the officer began calling out places to help the boy find his way home. He asked the boy, "do you live near the supermarket on third street?" The boy said, "no." He then asked if he lived near the school on fifth street. The boy said, "no." Then the officer asked, "do you live near the church with the cross on top on seventh street?" The boy's face brightened and he said, "yes sir, if you will point me in the direction of the cross, I'll find my way home."
Showing posts with label Galatians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Galatians. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Galatians 6:7-10
Galatians 6:7-10 Podcast
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7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:7-10)
In today's text, we are considering the third of four characteristics of the spiritual man. The danger of our spiritual success is the flesh always looks for an opportunity to glorify itself. Therefore, the Apostle, in this last chapter of Galatians, gives us this fourfold description of what the spiritual man looks like. Having considered the first two already, today, we are considering the third.
The third characteristic of the spiritual man is: he sows to the Spirit.
Our text makes it clear, believers in Christ have two opposing forces in our lives: the flesh and the Spirit. We have two options on a given moment: we either feed the flesh or we feed the Spirit.
In v.7 we read, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked." This means we can not ignore God and His word, and expect no consequences of our rebellious choices. "God cannot be mocked" means God means exactly what He has told us in His word. Paul is sounding a warning that if we ignore God, we will not experience the life the Lord Jesus died to give us, even though we are born again and on our way to heaven.
Our problem is with deception and being willing to deal with our love of deception. We tend, by nature, to deceive ourselves. Our natural inclination is to choose to be deceived rather than to face the truth that is painful and unpleasant. But, we can stop the process any time we choose. I can trust God and choose to feed the Spirit of God who has made my spirit alive to God and His ways.
In v.8 we discover the word "destruction" which is better translated "ruin" or "corruption." It was used to describe decaying dead bodies in New Testament times. It describes a kind of corrupting ruin that takes place over time. The Lord described it as "death" in Genesis while talking with Adam and Eve.
In v.9-10 Paul writes, "Don't quit too soon. Don't grow weary in doing good. You will reap if you don't give up." Our problem is there is a time lag between our choices and the results, in this case the fruit. Our tendency will always be to quit too soon, to not want to wait for the harvest to come. And so Paul's encouragement is "Don't quit. What you sow, you reap. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
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7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:7-10)
In today's text, we are considering the third of four characteristics of the spiritual man. The danger of our spiritual success is the flesh always looks for an opportunity to glorify itself. Therefore, the Apostle, in this last chapter of Galatians, gives us this fourfold description of what the spiritual man looks like. Having considered the first two already, today, we are considering the third.
The third characteristic of the spiritual man is: he sows to the Spirit.
Our text makes it clear, believers in Christ have two opposing forces in our lives: the flesh and the Spirit. We have two options on a given moment: we either feed the flesh or we feed the Spirit.
In v.7 we read, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked." This means we can not ignore God and His word, and expect no consequences of our rebellious choices. "God cannot be mocked" means God means exactly what He has told us in His word. Paul is sounding a warning that if we ignore God, we will not experience the life the Lord Jesus died to give us, even though we are born again and on our way to heaven.
Our problem is with deception and being willing to deal with our love of deception. We tend, by nature, to deceive ourselves. Our natural inclination is to choose to be deceived rather than to face the truth that is painful and unpleasant. But, we can stop the process any time we choose. I can trust God and choose to feed the Spirit of God who has made my spirit alive to God and His ways.
In v.8 we discover the word "destruction" which is better translated "ruin" or "corruption." It was used to describe decaying dead bodies in New Testament times. It describes a kind of corrupting ruin that takes place over time. The Lord described it as "death" in Genesis while talking with Adam and Eve.
In v.9-10 Paul writes, "Don't quit too soon. Don't grow weary in doing good. You will reap if you don't give up." Our problem is there is a time lag between our choices and the results, in this case the fruit. Our tendency will always be to quit too soon, to not want to wait for the harvest to come. And so Paul's encouragement is "Don't quit. What you sow, you reap. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Then the Apostle writes, "As we have the opportunity," "let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Doing good is the result of feeding the Spirit of God who feeds on the thoughts and choices of God as given in His word. I am reminded of the Lord Jesus' words when the disciples urged Him to eat. He said, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." This work yields the life we are all seeking to find.
A grandfather and grandson were out hunting one early morning, and they came upon a ridge on the mountain…. over the ridge was a large clearing below, where at a distance, they could see two wolves fighting furiously.
They watched as the wolves attacked each other in battle. The grandfather narrowed his eyes, and said slowly, “Ah, yes…. this is the way with all of us Human Beings, within our hearts, each and every day.”
The grandson asked, “What do you mean, grandfather?”, to which he replied;
“Always in our hearts, every day, is a struggling battle, like those two wolves down there…. one wolf represents in us the one who wishes to do bad things, and the other represents the one who wishes to do good things.”
So the boy thought long and hard on these things, as he continued to watch the wolves battling below. They both battled fiercely, neither one backing down. Seeing this, he asked, “But grandfather, how will I know which wolf will win within me?”
The grandfather smiled, looked at his grandson with an understanding eye, and told him, ”the one you FEED the most.”
A grandfather and grandson were out hunting one early morning, and they came upon a ridge on the mountain…. over the ridge was a large clearing below, where at a distance, they could see two wolves fighting furiously.
They watched as the wolves attacked each other in battle. The grandfather narrowed his eyes, and said slowly, “Ah, yes…. this is the way with all of us Human Beings, within our hearts, each and every day.”
The grandson asked, “What do you mean, grandfather?”, to which he replied;
“Always in our hearts, every day, is a struggling battle, like those two wolves down there…. one wolf represents in us the one who wishes to do bad things, and the other represents the one who wishes to do good things.”
So the boy thought long and hard on these things, as he continued to watch the wolves battling below. They both battled fiercely, neither one backing down. Seeing this, he asked, “But grandfather, how will I know which wolf will win within me?”
The grandfather smiled, looked at his grandson with an understanding eye, and told him, ”the one you FEED the most.”
Monday, May 20, 2019
Galatians 6:2-6
Galatians 6:2-6 Podcast
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (Galatians 6:2-6)
Today, we continue with the Apostle Paul's description of the spiritual man in Galatians 6. The Galatians desired to be spiritual, yet like most Christians, they made spirituality about themselves.
You will remember that in the previous passage, Paul warned the Galatians about conceit and envy. This is the danger of spiritual success, the flesh is always beckoning for attention and glory for itself. And, as a result, we can begin to believe that we are special and we do not need God to produce spirituality.
So, the Apostle, in this last chapter of Galatians, gives us this fourfold description of what the spiritual man looks like. Having considered the first already, today, we are considering the second of these four.
The second characteristic of the spiritual man is: he helps the needy.
Paul has an interesting combination of two phrases in today's text. In v.2, Paul writes “carry each other’s burdens,” and then in v.5, “each one should carry his own load.” Sounds like two opposite commands, but Paul is revealing an incredible principle of life: the best time to help another is when we are in need ourselves.
In v.2, the Apostle writes, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The law of Christ is the summation of all that He has given us: love people and love people.
In v.4, the Apostle brings up the concept of comparison. When we compare ourselves to another, we do ourselves a grave danger, because comparison is perhaps the greatest robber of Joy in our lives.
In addition, comparison is one of the greatest expressions of the lack of faith. Don't measure your value in comparing yourself or your story with others. Trust God for the story that He has/is given/giving you with Him. The key is to fixed on Him and what He is doing in your life. When we compare, we lose sight of Him.
In v.6, Paul explains that people within the family should share financially with those who teach the Scriptures. This is a transitional point which Paul uses to direct our attention to the third characteristic of the spiritual man (in v.7-11). We will consider this third one tomorrow.
Finally, with reference to this second characteristic of the spiritual man, helping the needy, I think of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 11:7-9 are applicable ... "7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so."
The Corinthian church was known for it's shallow faith. Perhaps they were shallow because they trusted more in money than they did the Lord. And, perhaps, Paul is saying in 2 Corinthians 11:7-9 that he should have been more of a burden to them financially, so that they would be freed of their idol: money. Our spirituality is primarily wrapped up in what we do with knowing God and making Him known.
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (Galatians 6:2-6)
Today, we continue with the Apostle Paul's description of the spiritual man in Galatians 6. The Galatians desired to be spiritual, yet like most Christians, they made spirituality about themselves.
You will remember that in the previous passage, Paul warned the Galatians about conceit and envy. This is the danger of spiritual success, the flesh is always beckoning for attention and glory for itself. And, as a result, we can begin to believe that we are special and we do not need God to produce spirituality.
So, the Apostle, in this last chapter of Galatians, gives us this fourfold description of what the spiritual man looks like. Having considered the first already, today, we are considering the second of these four.
The second characteristic of the spiritual man is: he helps the needy.
Paul has an interesting combination of two phrases in today's text. In v.2, Paul writes “carry each other’s burdens,” and then in v.5, “each one should carry his own load.” Sounds like two opposite commands, but Paul is revealing an incredible principle of life: the best time to help another is when we are in need ourselves.
In v.2, the Apostle writes, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The law of Christ is the summation of all that He has given us: love people and love people.
In v.4, the Apostle brings up the concept of comparison. When we compare ourselves to another, we do ourselves a grave danger, because comparison is perhaps the greatest robber of Joy in our lives.
In addition, comparison is one of the greatest expressions of the lack of faith. Don't measure your value in comparing yourself or your story with others. Trust God for the story that He has/is given/giving you with Him. The key is to fixed on Him and what He is doing in your life. When we compare, we lose sight of Him.
In v.6, Paul explains that people within the family should share financially with those who teach the Scriptures. This is a transitional point which Paul uses to direct our attention to the third characteristic of the spiritual man (in v.7-11). We will consider this third one tomorrow.
"If we love God most, we will love people best."
John Piper
The Corinthian church was known for it's shallow faith. Perhaps they were shallow because they trusted more in money than they did the Lord. And, perhaps, Paul is saying in 2 Corinthians 11:7-9 that he should have been more of a burden to them financially, so that they would be freed of their idol: money. Our spirituality is primarily wrapped up in what we do with knowing God and making Him known.
Friday, May 17, 2019
Galatians 6:1
Click here for the Galatians 6:1 Podcast
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
We come to the Apostle Paul's description of the spiritual man. This was the desire of the Galatians, to be spiritual, yet like most Christians, they made spirituality about themselves.
You will remember that in the previous passage, Paul warned the Galatians about conceit and envy. This is the danger of spiritual success, the flesh is always beckoning for attention and glory for itself. And, as a result, we can begin to believe that we are special and we do not need God to produce spirituality in and through our lives.
So, the Apostle, in this crescendo chapter, gives us a fourfold description of what the spiritual man looks like. We will only consider the first of these four today.
The first characteristic of the spiritual man is: he mends the broken.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
The picture of the broken here is of one who is trying to get away from sin unsuccessfully. Paul writes, "if someone is caught in a sin..." The picture that Paul is painting here of one who is too slow for sin. The sin is faster and the one caught is being dragged down from behind. This one who is caught by sin is broken, bloody, and suffering greatly by the destruction of sin.
Now, the word the Apostle uses to describe the actions of the spiritual man is quite instructive. Paul uses the word "restore". The Greek word Paul uses here means to reset very carefully as a doctor would reset a compound broken bone. This word is also used of a fisherman who carefully mends a torn fishing net.
Note how the Apostle describes how the restoration should take place: motivated by the Spirit, gently, watchfully, and humbly. The spiritual man is led by the Spirit to have the heart of God toward another. The spiritual man is gentle with the hurting. The spiritual man is watchful for the enemy to trip him up. Finally, the spiritual man is humble. He does not think more of himself when God incredibly uses him in the life of the broken.
Watchman Nee once said, “Attempting to follow God without denying the self is the root of all failures.” It is obvious that God defines spirituality much different than most men would, given that His first description of the spiritual man in Galatians 6:1 is that of a compassionate, humble lover of people in their brokenness.
Finally, this description of the spiritual man is a product of the amount of time he spends with the One who loved us and gave Himself for us while we were at our worst.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Galatians 5:24-26
Galatians 5:24-26 Podcast
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:24-26)
When we chose to believe the Gospel, Christ, through His Spirit, took possession of our spirit. As a result, we are being trained by the Lord to crucify the passions and drives of the flesh.
When believers “walk by the Spirit,” we are not controlled by the flesh. Walking by the Spirit is what we do when the desires, produced by the Spirit, are stronger than the desires produced by the flesh. This means that “walking by the Spirit” is not something we do in order to get the Spirit’s help, rather, it is something we do by the enablement of the Spirit.
If it is by the Holy Spirit that our "born again" life came into being, then the way our life should be lived is by the same Spirit. “Walk by the Spirit” means do what we do each day by the Spirit; live our lives by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
In v.25, Paul writes: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." The phrase "keep in step with the Spirit" gives us the picture of a soldier keeping the cadence of his commander. Paul uses the Greek word stoicheĊ to provide the imagery.
We should never take credit for the expression of the Spirit in and through our lives, because He is the One producing the life. We are merely yielding to Him and experiencing eternal life, the life of God in our lives now.
Another translation of v.25 reads, "If we come alive by an act of the Spirit, so now let us go on walking in reliance on the Spirit." We are not only born again by the Holy Spirit, we also experience sanctification due to the work of the Holy Spirit in our souls (minds, wills, emotions). The battlefield for the believer's sanctification (the process whereby we are trained to think God's thoughts and subsequently being defined by His culture) is the believers' soul.
In v.26 Paul's command addresses our inward attitude in two ways. First, "Let us not become conceited." Let us not be driven by the love of praise and glory. Second, "provoking and envying one another."
This is how the flesh is given life, by feeding the ego that has been given success by the Spirit. The believer must be forever on guard, for the flesh is always laying in wait for the perfect moment to take advantage of the successes of God in our lives.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:24-26)
When we chose to believe the Gospel, Christ, through His Spirit, took possession of our spirit. As a result, we are being trained by the Lord to crucify the passions and drives of the flesh.
When believers “walk by the Spirit,” we are not controlled by the flesh. Walking by the Spirit is what we do when the desires, produced by the Spirit, are stronger than the desires produced by the flesh. This means that “walking by the Spirit” is not something we do in order to get the Spirit’s help, rather, it is something we do by the enablement of the Spirit.
If it is by the Holy Spirit that our "born again" life came into being, then the way our life should be lived is by the same Spirit. “Walk by the Spirit” means do what we do each day by the Spirit; live our lives by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
In v.25, Paul writes: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." The phrase "keep in step with the Spirit" gives us the picture of a soldier keeping the cadence of his commander. Paul uses the Greek word stoicheĊ to provide the imagery.
We should never take credit for the expression of the Spirit in and through our lives, because He is the One producing the life. We are merely yielding to Him and experiencing eternal life, the life of God in our lives now.
Another translation of v.25 reads, "If we come alive by an act of the Spirit, so now let us go on walking in reliance on the Spirit." We are not only born again by the Holy Spirit, we also experience sanctification due to the work of the Holy Spirit in our souls (minds, wills, emotions). The battlefield for the believer's sanctification (the process whereby we are trained to think God's thoughts and subsequently being defined by His culture) is the believers' soul.
In v.26 Paul's command addresses our inward attitude in two ways. First, "Let us not become conceited." Let us not be driven by the love of praise and glory. Second, "provoking and envying one another."
This is how the flesh is given life, by feeding the ego that has been given success by the Spirit. The believer must be forever on guard, for the flesh is always laying in wait for the perfect moment to take advantage of the successes of God in our lives.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Galatians 5:22-23
Galatians 5:22-23 Podcast
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
In today's text we are given the “fruit of the Spirit.” The Apostle uses the words "fruit of the Spirit" so that we would not mistake who produces these godly qualities. These are not our production; these are His fruit. These are what we realize when we walk by the Spirit. This is the Spirit’s initiative and enablement to realize the expression of God’s culture in our lives in the here and now.
The first three fruits are habits of the mind.
The first fruit is love, agape in the Greek. This love is a sacrificial choice to meet the needs of another expecting nothing in return. It is motivated by our will, not by feeling or emotion.
You will remember that in v.13-14, Paul elaborated on this characteristic where he wrote, "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself."
The second fruit is joy which is a deep seated gladness regardless of our circumstances. It is a deep and abiding inner condition. In Nehemiah 8:10 that the joy of the LORD is our strength.
The third fruit is peace which is an inner rest or quietness even in the face of bad circumstances.
The next three fruits are attitudes toward others.
The Greek word used for Forebearance can be translated patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, slowness in avenging wrongs.
The Greek word for kindness is translated, goodness, good, and gentleness. It portrays the idea of moral goodness, integrity, or kindness.
The Greek word used for goodness describes active goodness or virtue.
It is the quality of a person who is ruled by and aims at what is good.
The last three fruits are graces that guide our actions.
Faithfulness is fidelity rather than an act of faith. It also means confidence in God and in all His promises even when circumstances turn against us.
Gentleness means meekness or controlled power. It denotes a submissiveness to God and tenderness toward others under our influence.
Self-control is temperance or controlled passions.
Have you ever wondered why the Holy Spirit is always symbolized as a Dove in the scriptures?
A dove has 9 main feathers on each wing, empowering its’ flight. There are 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:7-10) and 9 Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)… 9 for each wing. The Gifts and Fruit keep us lifted for our Godly journey.
The dove is unique from other birds in that instead of its wings pointing downward (toward its tail); the wings curl upward toward its head. The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself, but points believers to Christ.
Life lived in the flesh even under the law produces the works of the flesh. Life lived in the Spirit realizes the fruits of the Spirit. God gave us these qualities through the Holy Spirit because we can not produce them. And, when we grow in our fellowship with the Father and the Lord Jesus, we will realize the expression of these fruits in our lives.
This is why the Lord Jesus said, "Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The rest of which He speaks is the life that He produces in and through our yielded lives.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
In today's text we are given the “fruit of the Spirit.” The Apostle uses the words "fruit of the Spirit" so that we would not mistake who produces these godly qualities. These are not our production; these are His fruit. These are what we realize when we walk by the Spirit. This is the Spirit’s initiative and enablement to realize the expression of God’s culture in our lives in the here and now.
The first three fruits are habits of the mind.
The first fruit is love, agape in the Greek. This love is a sacrificial choice to meet the needs of another expecting nothing in return. It is motivated by our will, not by feeling or emotion.
You will remember that in v.13-14, Paul elaborated on this characteristic where he wrote, "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself."
The second fruit is joy which is a deep seated gladness regardless of our circumstances. It is a deep and abiding inner condition. In Nehemiah 8:10 that the joy of the LORD is our strength.
The third fruit is peace which is an inner rest or quietness even in the face of bad circumstances.
The next three fruits are attitudes toward others.
The Greek word used for Forebearance can be translated patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, slowness in avenging wrongs.
The Greek word for kindness is translated, goodness, good, and gentleness. It portrays the idea of moral goodness, integrity, or kindness.
The Greek word used for goodness describes active goodness or virtue.
It is the quality of a person who is ruled by and aims at what is good.
The last three fruits are graces that guide our actions.
Faithfulness is fidelity rather than an act of faith. It also means confidence in God and in all His promises even when circumstances turn against us.
Gentleness means meekness or controlled power. It denotes a submissiveness to God and tenderness toward others under our influence.
Self-control is temperance or controlled passions.
Have you ever wondered why the Holy Spirit is always symbolized as a Dove in the scriptures?
A dove has 9 main feathers on each wing, empowering its’ flight. There are 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:7-10) and 9 Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)… 9 for each wing. The Gifts and Fruit keep us lifted for our Godly journey.
The dove is unique from other birds in that instead of its wings pointing downward (toward its tail); the wings curl upward toward its head. The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself, but points believers to Christ.
Life lived in the flesh even under the law produces the works of the flesh. Life lived in the Spirit realizes the fruits of the Spirit. God gave us these qualities through the Holy Spirit because we can not produce them. And, when we grow in our fellowship with the Father and the Lord Jesus, we will realize the expression of these fruits in our lives.
This is why the Lord Jesus said, "Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The rest of which He speaks is the life that He produces in and through our yielded lives.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Galatians 5:19-21
Galatians 5:19-21 Podcast
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
In Galatians 5:16-26, the Holy Spirit is mentioned eleven times. And, in Galatians 5:19-23, the Apostle contrasts the “acts of the flesh” (19–21) with the “fruit of the Spirit” (22–23).
Whereas, the “acts of the flesh” are what you do when you “gratify the desires of the flesh”, the “fruit of the Spirit” is what appears in your life when you “walk by the Spirit.”
This conflict, that we have in us, is thought by some to be evidence that we are not "saved." But, be encouraged, my friend, this is evidence that we have been "born again." If we were not "born again", we would not desire the way of the Lord. This desire is present within us because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Spirit is the believer's address.
In the broader context, here in Galatians, we see three images of the Holy Spirit’s work in our life: “walking by the Spirit” (v.16), “being led by the Spirit” (v.18), and bearing of “the fruit of the Spirit” (v.22). Today, we will just consider Galatians 5:19-21.
Do you remember what you were like before you were "born again"? Do you remember what you desired? And, then you were "born again" and your desires for God were born. And, as time has gone by, your desire for God and His ways have increased. Oh, these desires are not perfect and they will not be perfected until we are perfected. But, over time, these desires for God have grown. Yet, the conflict between the old desires and these new desires continue and will continue until you go to heaven.
Now, to understand this passage, we must understand the word "desire" that is used in v.16. It literally means to "over desire". The issue isn't that we desire, the problem comes when we over desire things. Sin causes us to love things and use people, whereas God leads us to do the opposite. Sin has fascinated us with everything other than God.
The list of sins in our text for today are in opposition to the fruits of the Holy Spirit which we will consider tomorrow. These acts of the flesh are all moral sins. And, as is true with the fruits of the Spirit, each of these has to do with relationships.
Sexual promiscuity is using others sexually for our benefit. Uncontrollable anger is wanting to punish other people who have made your life something other than what you wanted it to be. Even the word for drunkenness here doesn’t really refer to drinking alone, but socially coming together as a group to use alcohol as an escape from our problems.
Each one of these sins or acts of the flesh is relational. In some way, each of them is about using other people for our own benefit. The satisfaction of self is the motivation of these sins. The old adage "hurt people hurt people" helps to understand the nature of these sins.
We are not promised deliverance from the presence of sin, yet. We are promised deliverance over the penalty and the power of sin. The choices created within this paradigm provides us with the ultimate answer, that which we are all truly longing for.
You see, the answer is what we have been delivered to. The answer is love. Jesus said, "as the Father has loved me, so I have loved you." Can you believe that? When we believe that, we will love God in turn.
Finally, the phrase in v.21, "those who live like this" is very helpful. This phrase literally means "those who are defined by this lifestyle", not "those who every now and then mess up." Remember the absence of this "civil war" within is not evidence that we are born again. No, the opposite is true. Therefore, do not be defined by the evil desires within (the flesh), be defined by His love for you.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
In Galatians 5:16-26, the Holy Spirit is mentioned eleven times. And, in Galatians 5:19-23, the Apostle contrasts the “acts of the flesh” (19–21) with the “fruit of the Spirit” (22–23).
Whereas, the “acts of the flesh” are what you do when you “gratify the desires of the flesh”, the “fruit of the Spirit” is what appears in your life when you “walk by the Spirit.”
This conflict, that we have in us, is thought by some to be evidence that we are not "saved." But, be encouraged, my friend, this is evidence that we have been "born again." If we were not "born again", we would not desire the way of the Lord. This desire is present within us because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Spirit is the believer's address.
In the broader context, here in Galatians, we see three images of the Holy Spirit’s work in our life: “walking by the Spirit” (v.16), “being led by the Spirit” (v.18), and bearing of “the fruit of the Spirit” (v.22). Today, we will just consider Galatians 5:19-21.
Do you remember what you were like before you were "born again"? Do you remember what you desired? And, then you were "born again" and your desires for God were born. And, as time has gone by, your desire for God and His ways have increased. Oh, these desires are not perfect and they will not be perfected until we are perfected. But, over time, these desires for God have grown. Yet, the conflict between the old desires and these new desires continue and will continue until you go to heaven.
Now, to understand this passage, we must understand the word "desire" that is used in v.16. It literally means to "over desire". The issue isn't that we desire, the problem comes when we over desire things. Sin causes us to love things and use people, whereas God leads us to do the opposite. Sin has fascinated us with everything other than God.
The list of sins in our text for today are in opposition to the fruits of the Holy Spirit which we will consider tomorrow. These acts of the flesh are all moral sins. And, as is true with the fruits of the Spirit, each of these has to do with relationships.
Sexual promiscuity is using others sexually for our benefit. Uncontrollable anger is wanting to punish other people who have made your life something other than what you wanted it to be. Even the word for drunkenness here doesn’t really refer to drinking alone, but socially coming together as a group to use alcohol as an escape from our problems.
Each one of these sins or acts of the flesh is relational. In some way, each of them is about using other people for our own benefit. The satisfaction of self is the motivation of these sins. The old adage "hurt people hurt people" helps to understand the nature of these sins.
We are not promised deliverance from the presence of sin, yet. We are promised deliverance over the penalty and the power of sin. The choices created within this paradigm provides us with the ultimate answer, that which we are all truly longing for.
You see, the answer is what we have been delivered to. The answer is love. Jesus said, "as the Father has loved me, so I have loved you." Can you believe that? When we believe that, we will love God in turn.
Finally, the phrase in v.21, "those who live like this" is very helpful. This phrase literally means "those who are defined by this lifestyle", not "those who every now and then mess up." Remember the absence of this "civil war" within is not evidence that we are born again. No, the opposite is true. Therefore, do not be defined by the evil desires within (the flesh), be defined by His love for you.
Monday, May 13, 2019
Galatians 5:16-18
Galatians 5:16-18 Podcast
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16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16-18)
At this point in Galatians, Paul clearly is putting his finger on the real issue that is going on in the life of the believer. The issue isn't really circumcision, it is the flesh.
Now, the flesh is the evil that makes us do those things that are contrary to God's will in our lives. It is the flesh that is contrary to the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
As mentioned before, we are trichotomous beings, we have three parts: we are body, soul and spirit. Once we have been "born again" by believing in the gospel of the Lord Jesus, our once dead spirit was made alive to God through the Holy Spirit who has come into our spirit. This happens as the result of being justified in the eyes of God (justification). So, the arena of our justification is our spirit.
The arena of our sanctification is the arena of our soul. Our soul is made up of our mind, our will, and our emotion. After being "born again", we now are on the road to getting to know God. Sanctification is a process whereas justification is a one time event.
What does it mean to know God? It means that we are learning His thoughts and ways primarily through His word. His Spirit will use other things in concert with His word to teach us of His ways. The changing of our minds and our ways is called in the Bible, sanctification. Again, sanctification is a process. Due to the fact that it is a process explains why we struggle and we have set backs.
In v.16 Paul writes, "walk by the Spirit." When I was a little boy, I loved it when my father took me by the hands, set my feet on top of his and we walked together. The inertia of my father made me feel big. Little did I know those many years ago, how this game would inform my relationship with God all these years later.
In a similar way, as I was in contact with my father by being held by Him and empowered by Him, I am led by the Spirit today. The Spirit will NEVER contradict the word of God in my life. Yet, He leads in and through the circumstances of my life. I have found that if I listen to Him, He will lead me to do those things which make up His will for my life in a given day.
The Christian life is lived in the power of another, not in our own power. In v.18, the Apostle clearly tells us that to "walk by the Spirit" is to be "led by the Spirit". And, in so doing, according to v.16, " we will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
When we “walk by the Spirit,” we are being enabled by the Spirit to think God's thoughts and walk in His ways. This is the fulfillment of Ezekiel 36:26-27 which reads, "A new heart I will give you and a new spirit I will put within you . . . I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes."
And, as a result, according to v.18, we "are not under the law.” This means we are not under the law’s condemnation because through the Spirit we have received the perfection of the Lord Jesus. When God looks at us through the lens of His Son, He no longer condemns us who hope in His righteousness.
Instead of being led by the law, which had the responsibility to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24), we are now being led by the Spirit. The Spirit is not an instrument in our hands but we are an instrument in his hands. The Spirit leads by stirring up family affection. He leads us by making us a son who acts out of faith and love.
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16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16-18)
At this point in Galatians, Paul clearly is putting his finger on the real issue that is going on in the life of the believer. The issue isn't really circumcision, it is the flesh.
Now, the flesh is the evil that makes us do those things that are contrary to God's will in our lives. It is the flesh that is contrary to the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
As mentioned before, we are trichotomous beings, we have three parts: we are body, soul and spirit. Once we have been "born again" by believing in the gospel of the Lord Jesus, our once dead spirit was made alive to God through the Holy Spirit who has come into our spirit. This happens as the result of being justified in the eyes of God (justification). So, the arena of our justification is our spirit.
The arena of our sanctification is the arena of our soul. Our soul is made up of our mind, our will, and our emotion. After being "born again", we now are on the road to getting to know God. Sanctification is a process whereas justification is a one time event.
What does it mean to know God? It means that we are learning His thoughts and ways primarily through His word. His Spirit will use other things in concert with His word to teach us of His ways. The changing of our minds and our ways is called in the Bible, sanctification. Again, sanctification is a process. Due to the fact that it is a process explains why we struggle and we have set backs.
In v.16 Paul writes, "walk by the Spirit." When I was a little boy, I loved it when my father took me by the hands, set my feet on top of his and we walked together. The inertia of my father made me feel big. Little did I know those many years ago, how this game would inform my relationship with God all these years later.
In a similar way, as I was in contact with my father by being held by Him and empowered by Him, I am led by the Spirit today. The Spirit will NEVER contradict the word of God in my life. Yet, He leads in and through the circumstances of my life. I have found that if I listen to Him, He will lead me to do those things which make up His will for my life in a given day.
The Christian life is lived in the power of another, not in our own power. In v.18, the Apostle clearly tells us that to "walk by the Spirit" is to be "led by the Spirit". And, in so doing, according to v.16, " we will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
When we “walk by the Spirit,” we are being enabled by the Spirit to think God's thoughts and walk in His ways. This is the fulfillment of Ezekiel 36:26-27 which reads, "A new heart I will give you and a new spirit I will put within you . . . I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes."
And, as a result, according to v.18, we "are not under the law.” This means we are not under the law’s condemnation because through the Spirit we have received the perfection of the Lord Jesus. When God looks at us through the lens of His Son, He no longer condemns us who hope in His righteousness.
Instead of being led by the law, which had the responsibility to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24), we are now being led by the Spirit. The Spirit is not an instrument in our hands but we are an instrument in his hands. The Spirit leads by stirring up family affection. He leads us by making us a son who acts out of faith and love.
"It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge and my job to love."
Billy Graham
Friday, May 10, 2019
Galatians 5:11-15
Galatians 5:11-15 Podcast
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11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! 13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:11-15)
In our text today, the Apostle continues to address the Galatians incorrect view of the law and of justification. As mentioned so many times before, it is through the cross that sins are forgiven (justified) not through our adherence to the law.
Paul declares, if circumcision can obligate God to bless us, then why did Jesus have to hang on the cross. And, if Paul didn't have to preach the cross, he would avoid a lot of persecution. The stumbling block of the cross would be gone, and with it, forgiveness of sins.
The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is such a radical indictment of our sinful condition and a complete fulfillment of God's righteousness. Any attempt to save ourselves except through faith in His work on that cross would be a misguided compliment to ourselves and an insult to God. So Paul does not preach circumcision.
And, of those who do preach circumcision, he says in v.12, "I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! " Which means: "In addition to circumcision, I would they would castrate themselves."
The reason we live by faith and not by works is that our good behavior has no power to win blessing from God. When our acceptance before a holy and just God is based, in any way, upon our performance, we inevitably will place self at the center of the action. And, when self is at the center, God is not glorified.
In addition, it is by faith in the God of the Bible that we access real life. We access the very life of God through faith in His existence and involvement in our every day lives. This understanding or faith is the fuel that makes eternal life in the here and now take place.
In Romans 4:4-5, Paul writes, "Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness."
To live by works means to have the mindset of an employee with God as the employer in need of our services. When we do what He needs, then He owes us. That's the essence of legalism: working for God and Him paying us the wages we are due.
According to Romans 4:5, faith means that we stop thinking of ourselves as an employee and God as an employer. "And to one who does not work."
God is not the employer who needs our efforts. We are the needy ones in this relationship, and God is the one who has all the resources to meet all our needs.
So, the mindset of faith is dependency upon God. Faith longs for the miracle of seeing God gaining glory by working in and through our lives.
Faith in God produces love for God. Faith produces this love inevitably because it takes away the barriers to love, namely selfishness. The heart that rests in God's promises will not emphasize self because of the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
To invest in BYM, click here
11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! 13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:11-15)
In our text today, the Apostle continues to address the Galatians incorrect view of the law and of justification. As mentioned so many times before, it is through the cross that sins are forgiven (justified) not through our adherence to the law.
Paul declares, if circumcision can obligate God to bless us, then why did Jesus have to hang on the cross. And, if Paul didn't have to preach the cross, he would avoid a lot of persecution. The stumbling block of the cross would be gone, and with it, forgiveness of sins.
The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is such a radical indictment of our sinful condition and a complete fulfillment of God's righteousness. Any attempt to save ourselves except through faith in His work on that cross would be a misguided compliment to ourselves and an insult to God. So Paul does not preach circumcision.
And, of those who do preach circumcision, he says in v.12, "I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! " Which means: "In addition to circumcision, I would they would castrate themselves."
The reason we live by faith and not by works is that our good behavior has no power to win blessing from God. When our acceptance before a holy and just God is based, in any way, upon our performance, we inevitably will place self at the center of the action. And, when self is at the center, God is not glorified.
In addition, it is by faith in the God of the Bible that we access real life. We access the very life of God through faith in His existence and involvement in our every day lives. This understanding or faith is the fuel that makes eternal life in the here and now take place.
In Romans 4:4-5, Paul writes, "Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness."
To live by works means to have the mindset of an employee with God as the employer in need of our services. When we do what He needs, then He owes us. That's the essence of legalism: working for God and Him paying us the wages we are due.
According to Romans 4:5, faith means that we stop thinking of ourselves as an employee and God as an employer. "And to one who does not work."
God is not the employer who needs our efforts. We are the needy ones in this relationship, and God is the one who has all the resources to meet all our needs.
So, the mindset of faith is dependency upon God. Faith longs for the miracle of seeing God gaining glory by working in and through our lives.
Faith in God produces love for God. Faith produces this love inevitably because it takes away the barriers to love, namely selfishness. The heart that rests in God's promises will not emphasize self because of the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
Thursday, May 09, 2019
Galatians 5:7-10
Galatians 5:7-10 Podcast
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7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. (Galatians 5:7-10)
In v.7-8, the Apostle continues to remind us that we are not following God when we forsake the path of faith for the road of works. He uses an analogy of running a race and those who are leading them astray have cut in and distracted us from keeping our eyes on the price.
The price in context is the hope of righteousness mentioned in Galatians 5:5. In this one phrase, "hope of righteousness", is the capsulation of what everyone on this earth is yearning. This is a way of life foreign to most. The very essence of what makes a Christian different from others is in this phrase. Paul clearly means for this verse to describe another way of life than the one he warns against in the first four verses of the chapter.
In v.9 the Apostle writes, "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." This means that those with a legalistic mentality will soon corrupt the whole church. There are motives that come from depending on God, and there are motives that come from depending on yourself—and the difference is a matter of life and death.
In v.10 reminds us that our confidence must always be in God. Pau reminds us that our success is found in the Lord alone, not in ourselves, not even in the absence of those who lead us in the wrong way.
There are two ways to relate to God, as an heir or as a slave. The difference is that a slave earns God's acceptable through his performance and an heir is promised acceptance. The trust that is forged by the second approach is the difference. A slave can never be sure enough that he has done enough to earn the acceptance of his master. A son rests in the standing he has by virtue of his birth and the covenant his father made in his will for his children.
Trust is the issue. A trust that is cemented in the hope of which Paul speaks. This word hope, "elpida" in the Greek. It is better translated expectation or confidence. The idea is that it will happen, but the question is when? The waiting is what does most people in.
I find it informative that the first description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 is patience. When we have experienced God's grace, it captures our heart and creates love in our hearts for the Lord. Of course, this will always be a problem for those who are young in the faith, such as the Galatians.
Herein, we see why so many seem to fall away from the faith. I do not believe we lose the faith, I believe that in many cases many did not have the faith in the first place. You see, it is the nature of faith to create love in the believers heart for the Lord. And, if this does not happen, it is likely the person was not born again in the first place.
The mystery and the waiting is an issue for all of us. We often find ourselves asking the Lord, "when?" When will deliverance come? When will you return? The righteousness we seek germinates in the waiting or the practice of this "elpida", this hope, that anchors our souls to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
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7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. (Galatians 5:7-10)
In v.7-8, the Apostle continues to remind us that we are not following God when we forsake the path of faith for the road of works. He uses an analogy of running a race and those who are leading them astray have cut in and distracted us from keeping our eyes on the price.
The price in context is the hope of righteousness mentioned in Galatians 5:5. In this one phrase, "hope of righteousness", is the capsulation of what everyone on this earth is yearning. This is a way of life foreign to most. The very essence of what makes a Christian different from others is in this phrase. Paul clearly means for this verse to describe another way of life than the one he warns against in the first four verses of the chapter.
"You can reject God by rejecting his law and living any way you see fit. And you can also reject God by embracing and obeying God’s law so as to earn your salvation."
Tim Keller
In v.10 reminds us that our confidence must always be in God. Pau reminds us that our success is found in the Lord alone, not in ourselves, not even in the absence of those who lead us in the wrong way.
There are two ways to relate to God, as an heir or as a slave. The difference is that a slave earns God's acceptable through his performance and an heir is promised acceptance. The trust that is forged by the second approach is the difference. A slave can never be sure enough that he has done enough to earn the acceptance of his master. A son rests in the standing he has by virtue of his birth and the covenant his father made in his will for his children.
Trust is the issue. A trust that is cemented in the hope of which Paul speaks. This word hope, "elpida" in the Greek. It is better translated expectation or confidence. The idea is that it will happen, but the question is when? The waiting is what does most people in.
I find it informative that the first description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 is patience. When we have experienced God's grace, it captures our heart and creates love in our hearts for the Lord. Of course, this will always be a problem for those who are young in the faith, such as the Galatians.
Herein, we see why so many seem to fall away from the faith. I do not believe we lose the faith, I believe that in many cases many did not have the faith in the first place. You see, it is the nature of faith to create love in the believers heart for the Lord. And, if this does not happen, it is likely the person was not born again in the first place.
The mystery and the waiting is an issue for all of us. We often find ourselves asking the Lord, "when?" When will deliverance come? When will you return? The righteousness we seek germinates in the waiting or the practice of this "elpida", this hope, that anchors our souls to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Wednesday, May 08, 2019
Galatians 5:4-6
Galatians 5:4-6 Podcast
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4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:4-6)
In today's text the Apostle continues to drive home the idea that if we use the law to achieve our own righteousness before God, we will lack the ability to appreciate and experience His grace. Even for believers, slavery is what happens when we lose connection with God's grace. The key to freedom is to keep depending on grace. We are free when our dependence is upon God and we experience His acceptance through the sacrifice of His Son.
The Greek word the Apostle uses in v.4 for "alienated" means "to be severed from." This is a play on words, given the subject of circumcision mentioned in the context of this book. Paul is not teaching that we lose our salvation when we are alienated. He is just saying that we will not be under the powerful influence of God's grace.
Grace causes us to eat of the fruit of the tree of life, whereby we receive more grace, not because of how awesome we are, or because of the power of our own thinking. It is the faith of God given by the Holy Spirit through grace that has been given to us to even believe.
The Apostle in v.5 describes the way freedom shows up in our lives. The righteousness that Paul is speaking of is the realization of life that is right. Whether it is in this world or in the world to come. We all know that sense when we get when we get it right, it is satisfying. Our new lives began by the work of the Spirit. And our lives go on by the work of the Spirit.
We are free because God has sent the Spirit of his Son to give us the right orientation to this life and the life to come. He offers His fellowship and help, and even makes the life of obedience a life of joy. The Christian life is a life of freedom because it is lived in the power of the Spirit.
In v.5 Paul writes, "For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope." The human side of freedom is seen in this verse. The human side is faith which is an ongoing way of waiting for the hope of righteousness.
But, this is a two-sided coin. One side is the sovereign work of God that is at work for us and in us. It is His inertia which makes it possible for us to believe. The other side of the coin is our faith, a life of reliance on what God does for us, not what we can do for God.
For the believer, faith is what gives juice to the operative grace of God in our lives. The more we by faith are defined by God, the more of His grace we understand and comprehend. When this happens, His grace takes over and produces the kind of life Jesus died to give us.
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4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:4-6)
In today's text the Apostle continues to drive home the idea that if we use the law to achieve our own righteousness before God, we will lack the ability to appreciate and experience His grace. Even for believers, slavery is what happens when we lose connection with God's grace. The key to freedom is to keep depending on grace. We are free when our dependence is upon God and we experience His acceptance through the sacrifice of His Son.
The Greek word the Apostle uses in v.4 for "alienated" means "to be severed from." This is a play on words, given the subject of circumcision mentioned in the context of this book. Paul is not teaching that we lose our salvation when we are alienated. He is just saying that we will not be under the powerful influence of God's grace.
Grace causes us to eat of the fruit of the tree of life, whereby we receive more grace, not because of how awesome we are, or because of the power of our own thinking. It is the faith of God given by the Holy Spirit through grace that has been given to us to even believe.
The Apostle in v.5 describes the way freedom shows up in our lives. The righteousness that Paul is speaking of is the realization of life that is right. Whether it is in this world or in the world to come. We all know that sense when we get when we get it right, it is satisfying. Our new lives began by the work of the Spirit. And our lives go on by the work of the Spirit.
We are free because God has sent the Spirit of his Son to give us the right orientation to this life and the life to come. He offers His fellowship and help, and even makes the life of obedience a life of joy. The Christian life is a life of freedom because it is lived in the power of the Spirit.
In v.5 Paul writes, "For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope." The human side of freedom is seen in this verse. The human side is faith which is an ongoing way of waiting for the hope of righteousness.
But, this is a two-sided coin. One side is the sovereign work of God that is at work for us and in us. It is His inertia which makes it possible for us to believe. The other side of the coin is our faith, a life of reliance on what God does for us, not what we can do for God.
For the believer, faith is what gives juice to the operative grace of God in our lives. The more we by faith are defined by God, the more of His grace we understand and comprehend. When this happens, His grace takes over and produces the kind of life Jesus died to give us.
Tuesday, May 07, 2019
Galatians 5:1-3
Galatians 5:1-3 Podcast
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Mankind was meant to be free. Freedom is more important to God than most of what concerns us in a given day. The gospel frees us to live life the way we were intended, being defined by Him. And, this freedom results in the ability to love God, ourselves and others.
Galatians wasn’t written to people who weren’t free, it was written to people who had been set free. But they were in danger of losing this freedom. They had to get to the place where they valued freedom.
Paul is concerned that the Galatians are in danger of losing their freedom that the gospel has given them. The primary way we lose this freedom is by being defined by others rather than God. Freedom is lost when we are defined by other people. For the Gentiles in Galatia, circumcision was one of their struggles. The question for them was: "Do we have to be circumcised to be acceptable to God and His people?"
When these Galatians became followers of Christ, they lacked biblical teaching. They didn't know what it really meant to be Christian, and Paul is correcting the wrong teaching they had been given.
Circumcision in itself is not wrong. But, it is wrong when we do it in order to bribe God for His blessings. To the Jew, circumcision was the foremost requirement to gain God's favor.
Interestingly, God had prescribed it to Abraham so that he would never forget that God was for him. God never meant for it to be a means of gaining and/or maintaining His favor. God gave it so that as often Abraham went to the bathroom, he would be reminded of God's undying favor for him.
In v.1, Paul writes,
This means, we must resist teaching that calls us to perform in any way to gain God's acceptance or to be defined by anything less than God. Otherwise, we will be all tied up worrying if we are accepted, losing sight of the reality that life is about loving Him, ourselves, and others.
Slavery is desperately trying to prove ourselves to others, trying to make our lives look a certain way so that others will accept us. trying to belong. Well, Christ has remedied this problem for us. And, if He defines us, what does it matter what others think of us?
In v.2, Paul writes,
Paul is saying, if you try to earn God's favor through any effort of your own, you will not be able to experience the blessings that Christ died to give you. When Christ died in our place, He earned all the favor of God for us, rendering us free enough to do things out of a posture of acceptance, security and purity. Our motives are different because we are no longer operating in life from the place of deficiency. No, the posture freedom in Christ renders is powerful and life-changing for us and those we influence.
In v.3, we read,
This means the one with the mindset of slavery has the mindset of a debtor, one who is obligated to pay back what he has been given. The works of the law (including circumcision) is the currency with which the religious aim to satisfy their debts to God. Later in our study of Galatians, we will consider the purpose and place of the law in the life of the believer.
When Christ died in our place, our debt, which separated us from having a personal relationship with God, was fully paid! Any effort to add to it is useless. Therefore, we must never try to relate to God as a debtor trying to pay back a debt, no matter how thankful we are.
So, when in v.3, Paul writes that the person who gets circumcised is putting himself in the place of a debtor to God, we learn that God does not want to relate to us as debtors who try to pay Him back. His will for us is that we are free and that we operate from the place of freedom.
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1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. (Galatians 5:1-3)
Mankind was meant to be free. Freedom is more important to God than most of what concerns us in a given day. The gospel frees us to live life the way we were intended, being defined by Him. And, this freedom results in the ability to love God, ourselves and others.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
Galatians wasn’t written to people who weren’t free, it was written to people who had been set free. But they were in danger of losing this freedom. They had to get to the place where they valued freedom.
Paul is concerned that the Galatians are in danger of losing their freedom that the gospel has given them. The primary way we lose this freedom is by being defined by others rather than God. Freedom is lost when we are defined by other people. For the Gentiles in Galatia, circumcision was one of their struggles. The question for them was: "Do we have to be circumcised to be acceptable to God and His people?"
When these Galatians became followers of Christ, they lacked biblical teaching. They didn't know what it really meant to be Christian, and Paul is correcting the wrong teaching they had been given.
Circumcision in itself is not wrong. But, it is wrong when we do it in order to bribe God for His blessings. To the Jew, circumcision was the foremost requirement to gain God's favor.
Interestingly, God had prescribed it to Abraham so that he would never forget that God was for him. God never meant for it to be a means of gaining and/or maintaining His favor. God gave it so that as often Abraham went to the bathroom, he would be reminded of God's undying favor for him.
In v.1, Paul writes,
"Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
This means, we must resist teaching that calls us to perform in any way to gain God's acceptance or to be defined by anything less than God. Otherwise, we will be all tied up worrying if we are accepted, losing sight of the reality that life is about loving Him, ourselves, and others.
Slavery is desperately trying to prove ourselves to others, trying to make our lives look a certain way so that others will accept us. trying to belong. Well, Christ has remedied this problem for us. And, if He defines us, what does it matter what others think of us?
In v.2, Paul writes,
"... if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all."
Paul is saying, if you try to earn God's favor through any effort of your own, you will not be able to experience the blessings that Christ died to give you. When Christ died in our place, He earned all the favor of God for us, rendering us free enough to do things out of a posture of acceptance, security and purity. Our motives are different because we are no longer operating in life from the place of deficiency. No, the posture freedom in Christ renders is powerful and life-changing for us and those we influence.
In v.3, we read,
"... every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law."
When Christ died in our place, our debt, which separated us from having a personal relationship with God, was fully paid! Any effort to add to it is useless. Therefore, we must never try to relate to God as a debtor trying to pay back a debt, no matter how thankful we are.
So, when in v.3, Paul writes that the person who gets circumcised is putting himself in the place of a debtor to God, we learn that God does not want to relate to us as debtors who try to pay Him back. His will for us is that we are free and that we operate from the place of freedom.
Monday, May 06, 2019
Galatians 4:24-31
Galatians 4:24-31 Podcast
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24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” 28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. (Galatians 4:24-31)
In today text, Paul is contrasting the way of the flesh and the way of the Spirit. Hagar, Sarah's servant, represents a person who depends on his own resources or the flesh. Ishmael was born according to the flesh producing an enslaved life to the flesh (the evil desires within).
Hagar gave birth to a son who would not be the heir of the promise of God. In like manner, when Israel tried to keep the law on their own, they would inherit destruction, for this is what the flesh does in the life of the one who is trying to measure up for God's acceptance.
In v.25, the Apostle is illustrating what happens when Israel follows the wrong teaching, they will be like Ishmael, a slave, not an heir.
In v.26 Paul points us to the other half of the illustration, Isaac. He represents Jerusalem which pictures a personal relationship with God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The result is the type of life is security and a subsequent freedom that enriches our lives while on this earth. As a result, we are secure and on the path toward spiritual maturity. Reliance on God is the basis of this security and maturity.
In v.29 another contrast between "one born according to the flesh" and "one born by the power of the Spirit" is highlighted. The "children of promise" in v.28 refers to people who have experienced the supernatural work of the Spirit of God in their heart. And, freedom is born.
Freedom is the ability to operate according to God's definition for our lives. Many are not free because they do not rest in God's promises; they rely on their own abilities. When it comes to saving faith, they do not have the freedom of desire. They do not want it. Therefore, they lack the freedom of a life that is influenced by the view of eternity. He who lives in his own strength rather than trusting God will suffer the influence of the flesh.
The essence of Christianity is the miracle of new birth, which transforms our heart and grants us a transcendent perspective upon this life. The result is we desire to rest in God's sovereign grace. We desire to become as little children and receive all the Father has deemed for us.
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24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” 28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. (Galatians 4:24-31)
In today text, Paul is contrasting the way of the flesh and the way of the Spirit. Hagar, Sarah's servant, represents a person who depends on his own resources or the flesh. Ishmael was born according to the flesh producing an enslaved life to the flesh (the evil desires within).
Hagar gave birth to a son who would not be the heir of the promise of God. In like manner, when Israel tried to keep the law on their own, they would inherit destruction, for this is what the flesh does in the life of the one who is trying to measure up for God's acceptance.
In v.25, the Apostle is illustrating what happens when Israel follows the wrong teaching, they will be like Ishmael, a slave, not an heir.
In v.26 Paul points us to the other half of the illustration, Isaac. He represents Jerusalem which pictures a personal relationship with God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The result is the type of life is security and a subsequent freedom that enriches our lives while on this earth. As a result, we are secure and on the path toward spiritual maturity. Reliance on God is the basis of this security and maturity.
In v.29 another contrast between "one born according to the flesh" and "one born by the power of the Spirit" is highlighted. The "children of promise" in v.28 refers to people who have experienced the supernatural work of the Spirit of God in their heart. And, freedom is born.
Freedom is the ability to operate according to God's definition for our lives. Many are not free because they do not rest in God's promises; they rely on their own abilities. When it comes to saving faith, they do not have the freedom of desire. They do not want it. Therefore, they lack the freedom of a life that is influenced by the view of eternity. He who lives in his own strength rather than trusting God will suffer the influence of the flesh.
The essence of Christianity is the miracle of new birth, which transforms our heart and grants us a transcendent perspective upon this life. The result is we desire to rest in God's sovereign grace. We desire to become as little children and receive all the Father has deemed for us.
Friday, May 03, 2019
Galatians 4:21-23
Galatians 4:21-23 Podcast To invest in BYM, click here
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. (Galatians 4:21-23)
Abraham had two sons, one by Hagar, Sarah's servant, and one by Sarah, Abraham's wife. The Apostle Paul juxtapositions these two sons in order to make his point: Hagar's son, Ishmael, represents bondage to the flesh (the evil desires within us). The son born to Sarah, Isaac, represents freedom to walk in the Spirit.
There is a clear choice throughout Scripture between slavery to the flesh and freedom in the Spirit. In Galatians 4:23 we learn slavery to the flesh is the result of mankind's rejection of God's definitions of life. Freedom, on the other hand, is the result of yielding to God's definitions for our lives.
In the Old Testament narrative, there came a time when Sarah and Abraham temporarily stopped believing that God would keep his promise and determined to have a son so that Abraham could bring about the promise of God. Abraham mated with his wife's slave woman, Hagar, and had a son by her. It seemed to be a sacrificial choice on Sarah’s part, but it led to slavery for many. Her son was not the son who would inherit the promise of God.
These two entities, the flesh and the Spirit, are and will always be at odds with each other. This will be a large part of our discussion in the last two chapters of Galatians. One thing is for sure: the one I feed the most is the one that will win on a given day.
In the movie, Remember the Titans, Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, makes his renowned speech to his players while in Gettysburg. The speech illustrates the utter necessity of fighting on the right side.
As Paul will tell us a little later in Galatians, when we feed the flesh, it will destroy us, and when we feed the Spirit, we will experience life with the touch of eternity on it. In the days to come, we will discuss what it looks like to feed the flesh and the Spirit.
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. (Galatians 4:21-23)
Abraham had two sons, one by Hagar, Sarah's servant, and one by Sarah, Abraham's wife. The Apostle Paul juxtapositions these two sons in order to make his point: Hagar's son, Ishmael, represents bondage to the flesh (the evil desires within us). The son born to Sarah, Isaac, represents freedom to walk in the Spirit.
There is a clear choice throughout Scripture between slavery to the flesh and freedom in the Spirit. In Galatians 4:23 we learn slavery to the flesh is the result of mankind's rejection of God's definitions of life. Freedom, on the other hand, is the result of yielding to God's definitions for our lives.
In the Old Testament narrative, there came a time when Sarah and Abraham temporarily stopped believing that God would keep his promise and determined to have a son so that Abraham could bring about the promise of God. Abraham mated with his wife's slave woman, Hagar, and had a son by her. It seemed to be a sacrificial choice on Sarah’s part, but it led to slavery for many. Her son was not the son who would inherit the promise of God.
These two entities, the flesh and the Spirit, are and will always be at odds with each other. This will be a large part of our discussion in the last two chapters of Galatians. One thing is for sure: the one I feed the most is the one that will win on a given day.
In the movie, Remember the Titans, Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, makes his renowned speech to his players while in Gettysburg. The speech illustrates the utter necessity of fighting on the right side.
As Paul will tell us a little later in Galatians, when we feed the flesh, it will destroy us, and when we feed the Spirit, we will experience life with the touch of eternity on it. In the days to come, we will discuss what it looks like to feed the flesh and the Spirit.
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