Read Today's Passage
A very stark reminder that we are not ultimately in charge. We cannot claim any success. We are responsible for our actions. We are to treat God with respect, no matter what.
And ultimately, we are to remember that when a brother (or sister) in Christ falls to sin, we should practice grace and mercy in an attempt to restore them to true fellowship with God, and with other believers.
And finally, we are told to remember that no matter what we do or do not do, we are a new creation in God, and that is all that matters.
I love reading Paul...
Showing posts with label Galatians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Galatians. Show all posts
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Galatians Chapter Five
Read Today's Passage
I love Paul's language in verse 12. So blunt, so bold. I also appreciate the call to remember that even though we are free, not tot take advantage of that freedom and excuse our sinfulness.
And then we have the list of what is sinful behavior (not an exhaustive list, of course) and what is a result of the Spirit at work. If you need to ask whether someone is following in Christ's footsteps, look no further than these lists. Are you following? Am I following?
I love Paul's language in verse 12. So blunt, so bold. I also appreciate the call to remember that even though we are free, not tot take advantage of that freedom and excuse our sinfulness.
And then we have the list of what is sinful behavior (not an exhaustive list, of course) and what is a result of the Spirit at work. If you need to ask whether someone is following in Christ's footsteps, look no further than these lists. Are you following? Am I following?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Galatians Chapter Four
Read Today's Passage
We are not slaves to sin, or to broken nature! We are heirs to the Kingdom! What does this mean? It means that sin and brokenness do not have to rule our lives. It means that we can claim that one day as God's children we will one day share in the restored Creation with God Himself! Pretty reassuring if you ask me.
The Galatians seemed not to understand this, and became slaves again to false gods instead of the one true God. How many false gods today have we turned our backs on the real God in favor of? What sort of things within Christianity have we turned into a false god to be worshiped, adored and observed instead of what God truly asks?
We are not slaves to sin, or to broken nature! We are heirs to the Kingdom! What does this mean? It means that sin and brokenness do not have to rule our lives. It means that we can claim that one day as God's children we will one day share in the restored Creation with God Himself! Pretty reassuring if you ask me.
The Galatians seemed not to understand this, and became slaves again to false gods instead of the one true God. How many false gods today have we turned our backs on the real God in favor of? What sort of things within Christianity have we turned into a false god to be worshiped, adored and observed instead of what God truly asks?
Friday, October 10, 2008
Galatians Chapter Three
Read Today's Passage
Man, Paul really tears into the Galatians for relying solely upon the Law in this chapter. How many of us modern-day Christians have turned our faith into a rigid list of do's and don'ts that we have to follow in order to be good Christians instead of relying upon the life change that the Spirit brings when He takes up residence in our lives? The Law was only there to help humans until Jesus arrived on the scene! It was set up to lead us to Christ, and now that He has come, we are in His presence! The Law - while not being null and void, because it agrees with the promise of God - is not needed any longer. Jesus accomplished this. Sacrifices, circumcision, all of it!
I really can't wait to see where Paul goes with these last couple verses of today's passage. No Jew or Gentile, but all one in Jesus...
Man, Paul really tears into the Galatians for relying solely upon the Law in this chapter. How many of us modern-day Christians have turned our faith into a rigid list of do's and don'ts that we have to follow in order to be good Christians instead of relying upon the life change that the Spirit brings when He takes up residence in our lives? The Law was only there to help humans until Jesus arrived on the scene! It was set up to lead us to Christ, and now that He has come, we are in His presence! The Law - while not being null and void, because it agrees with the promise of God - is not needed any longer. Jesus accomplished this. Sacrifices, circumcision, all of it!
I really can't wait to see where Paul goes with these last couple verses of today's passage. No Jew or Gentile, but all one in Jesus...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Galatians Chapter Two
Read Today's Passage
There is a lot of heady stuff in today's passage. Did you know that Paul had to call Peter to the carpet for being dumb before today? I think that we all have the same tendencies when it comes to associating with other Christians. It is natural to gravitate towards those who we share something in common with. But to withdraw from some because of cosmetic issues is ridiculous.
Now, bearing in mind that circumcision is a bit more involved than any of my examples, follow in my thinking. Say you are a Christian. Say it! And you have been for a while. Then some new person walks in and you notice that even though they are engaging in the worship service fully, singing, raising hands, taking notes from the Pastor's sermon - you can be confident that they are a member of the body - you hold back from getting involved. Why? Because they are covered in tattoos. Or they are wearing a suit and tie. Or they wore jeans to church. Or they are old.
You see, with the New Covenant that Jesus gave us, we are no longer required to undergo circumcision of the flesh, but of our hearts. The fleshly circumcision became a status symbol for Jewish Christians, and those who were not circumcised were ostracized and ignored. What practices have we made like circumcision? What do we engage in to show our holiness to the world that is nothing more than a status symbol?
There is a lot of heady stuff in today's passage. Did you know that Paul had to call Peter to the carpet for being dumb before today? I think that we all have the same tendencies when it comes to associating with other Christians. It is natural to gravitate towards those who we share something in common with. But to withdraw from some because of cosmetic issues is ridiculous.
Now, bearing in mind that circumcision is a bit more involved than any of my examples, follow in my thinking. Say you are a Christian. Say it! And you have been for a while. Then some new person walks in and you notice that even though they are engaging in the worship service fully, singing, raising hands, taking notes from the Pastor's sermon - you can be confident that they are a member of the body - you hold back from getting involved. Why? Because they are covered in tattoos. Or they are wearing a suit and tie. Or they wore jeans to church. Or they are old.
You see, with the New Covenant that Jesus gave us, we are no longer required to undergo circumcision of the flesh, but of our hearts. The fleshly circumcision became a status symbol for Jewish Christians, and those who were not circumcised were ostracized and ignored. What practices have we made like circumcision? What do we engage in to show our holiness to the world that is nothing more than a status symbol?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Galatians Chapter One
Read Today's Passage
Back into Paul's writing. I have to say that among the authors of Scripture, Paul is quite possibly my favorite. And here he starts right into the meat of his letter. After a brief greeting, he informs the Galatian church that they are not to follow any other Gospel other than the real Gospel. What kinds of false gospels do we face today? Prosperity gospels. The gospel that heaven is attainable by many methods. The gospel of God being able to tolerate sin. The gospel that we are always right. It amazes me that these gospels (and many, many more) have arisen out of a desire to please people, and not God. Let us hear the real, hard truths of the Gospel! We are broken sinners who deserve death! It is only through Jesus' sacrifice and God's grace that we can enter into a loving relationship with God. And the gospel starts now, eternal life starts now, not when we die!
And then Paul takes some time to share his history with the church. He was pretty infamous before he converted, but here he reminds the people that he was rotten. And then Jesus changed his life, and he followed wherever Christ called him to go. Why are we so afraid to follow the Gospel fully? Because it is uncomfortable.
How about you?
Back into Paul's writing. I have to say that among the authors of Scripture, Paul is quite possibly my favorite. And here he starts right into the meat of his letter. After a brief greeting, he informs the Galatian church that they are not to follow any other Gospel other than the real Gospel. What kinds of false gospels do we face today? Prosperity gospels. The gospel that heaven is attainable by many methods. The gospel of God being able to tolerate sin. The gospel that we are always right. It amazes me that these gospels (and many, many more) have arisen out of a desire to please people, and not God. Let us hear the real, hard truths of the Gospel! We are broken sinners who deserve death! It is only through Jesus' sacrifice and God's grace that we can enter into a loving relationship with God. And the gospel starts now, eternal life starts now, not when we die!
And then Paul takes some time to share his history with the church. He was pretty infamous before he converted, but here he reminds the people that he was rotten. And then Jesus changed his life, and he followed wherever Christ called him to go. Why are we so afraid to follow the Gospel fully? Because it is uncomfortable.
How about you?
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