Take Away - SOM 10

I am still processing the Sermon on the Mount. I have gone through the 25 posts and edited them for clarity and to revisit them for myself. Now I want to look at the applications I should be making for myself.

SOM - Part 10

 So adultery is wrong? I think that there are many who would argue that point today, even many "Christians." I think Christianity in many regards is not a rock, but a sponge, absorbing culture and embracing lifestyles in order to fit in. I know that is extremely unpopular, and some would even label it as hate speech perhaps. Jesus takes it even farther though, making lust wrong (dare I say a sin?). There are none who are guiltless, are there? I believe that was His point.

I made a statement in the original post of these verses (Matthew 5:27-30) It is that "we may have to make sacrifices rather than alter the meaning of God's commands." I think that today I see a lot more altering than I do sacrificing. How many times have I heard, "Does the Bible really say that?" And if by some chance that answer is yes, it is quickly followed by, "But is that what it really means?" 

Take Away: I am a sinner. Whether it is because I have committed adultery or only had lustful thoughts. I still shudder at how unpopular that thought is. Not only unpopular, but rallied against, even by "Christians." But I am also saved by grace. Whether I have committed adultery or only had lustful thoughts. There is only one unforgiveable sin according to the Bible, and that is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 12:31-33) Although there are different interpretations as to what that actually is, in my understanding I have not crossed that line. The Bible speaks about our behavior a lot. Here are just a few examples:

• Galatians 5:16-26
• Romans 12:9-21
• Ephesians 4:25-32
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

But these verses from the Sermon on the Mount help me understand what I need to know in order to do those things. First, I need to recognize I am a sinner. I need to have a strong desire to change (repent). So strong, that I am willing to give up those things that are very near and dear to me, even as near and dear as my right eye or right hand. Call it hitting bottom or desperation, I need to understand that without Jesus I am lost. This will lead me to the potential to see and embrace the grace of God. Salvation is not a 90 degree turn to the left where I separate myself from sin. Nor is it a 90 degree turn to the right where I give myself to Jesus. It is a 180 degree turn where I turn my back on sin and embrace Christ. I follow Him completely because I know that ultimately there is nothing more important than living in the grace that God accomplished for me through Jesus. 

Take Away - SOM 4

I am still processing the Sermon on the Mount. I have gone through the 25 posts and edited them for clarity and to revisit them for myself. Now I want to look at the applications I should be making for myself.

SOM Part 4

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

There's that word again, blessed. We like to be blessed, because we like swag. I think some think of blessing as God's swag. The word that is translated as blessing can also be translated as happy. Not quite as good, but still nice. We like to be happy. Based on the context, I would like to change the word happy to satisfied. Not quite as good as blessed or happy, but who doesn't want to be satisfied? That wonderful feeling after Thanksgiving dinner, that lasts until halftime, when the urge for snacks starts to hit. But what if it is not about what we get, but who we are that Jesus is talking about? That changes things no matter how you interpret that word. 

Job seemed to understand this, at least most of the time. Satan took away almost everything from him, and yet Job refused to curse God. In that moment, Job was blessed, he was happy, he was satisfied. His attitude was not a result of his possessions, but rather a result of his position before God. He was meek, he was humble. He did not complain about what he had before, or what others had, he was blessed.

Or David, when he lost his first son from Bathsheba. The prophet Nathan told him that the child would die, but David pleaded with the Lord, he fasted and went and lay with him through the night. Yet the child died. The servants were afraid to tell David of his son's death, for fear of how David would react. They thought he might harm himself. David saw the servants whispering, and he knew what had happened. He asked, and they told him the child was dead. So what does David do? He gets up, washes and anoints himself, changes clothes, and goes to the house of the Lord to worship. He knew he was blessed. Not the kind of blessing he was hoping for, yet blessed.

Here's my take away. Blessed (or happy or satisfied) is not something I get, it is something I am. If I am a child of God, I am blessed, and that is all that matters. Paul got this. Philippians 4:12,13 states, "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me." I believe so many read this text wrong. It is not saying that Christ will give me whatever I need, so I should go after great things, it is saying Christ has already given me a great thing, so I can endure whatever might be. There is a huge difference in those two ways of thinking. This is sometimes hard for me, because of being human and all. Just like the child in the AT&T commercial who was given a lollipop, and it all smiles until her brother gets a bigger and better lollipop. Then she determines that "That's not fair!" 

Rather than be grateful, she suddenly loses her smile and feels cheated. Even the dad feels slighted, and sticks out his hand for a lollipop. It is only when she is given an equal lollipop to her brother's that the smile (blessedness, happiness, satisfaction) returns. So the blessedness was not a result of the giver, but of the gift. When my satisfaction is dependent on the gift, rather than the giver, will I ever truly be satisfied? There is always a bigger lollipop to be had.

So that is my take away. There is always a bigger lollipop to be had. So it is best for me not to get my happiness for lollipops, but rather to be grateful for whatever circumstance I am in. Paul knew what he was talking about, the question is do I understand what he was saying? 

Sermon on the Mount - Part 12

Today I want to look at verses 43-48, once again focusing on who Jesus was speaking to, and on the context of the entire message.  

Matthew 5:43-48

(43)“You have heard that it was said, ​‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  (44)But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  (45)so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  (46)For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  (47)And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  (48)You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

So here we have a wrap to the section of examples Jesus gave to show that it is more than just our obedience that makes a relationship with God. He starts with, This is the way you have been doing it, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. This makes sense to us, as false teaching often does. Not that Jesus is giving a false teaching, I believe He is exposing a false idea that it is okay to love your neighbor and hate your enemy. It plays upon our own sense of what is fair. We are often manipulated by our own conceptions of what is right. Like in the AT&T commercial here. In the ad, Lily gives a little girl a lollipop, then gives her brother a bigger one. The girl says, "That's not fair!" Lily responds, "At AT&T we think it is only fair that all customers get our best deals." Then she exchanges the girl's small lollipop for one equal to her brothers. But what is not fair about getting a free lollipop? Small or big, what is not fair is that this girl is complaining about a gift that Lily was not obligated to give at all. Maybe I am too old school, but fair is to take the lollipop, whatever size you get, and say Thank-you.  To be fair, she did nothing to earn the lollipop. It was a gift. But what AT&T wants is for us to walk away from the ad thinking, "What a great company! They know how to treat people fairly." But for how long did AT&T only give new customers such benefits? Gotta love marketing! Baaaa! <-Sheep sound

Jesus shares what is fair in God's economy.  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. What is fair, Jesus seems to be sharing, is for you to treat others, not as they have treated you, but as God has treated you. Remember the Golden Rule? Matthew 7:12, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." It is not about treating others as they treat us, it is treating others as we wish they would treat us. Huge difference! And the basis for this idea comes from how God has treated us. It is only when we realize the enormity of God's grace on us that we can do this.

Now the teaching makes sense. Why turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, give to others, etc.? It is because we see how God has treated us! We see a God who is rich in grace and mercy, and want to pass that on to others, not out of some moral obligation to appease God, but out of the joy we have in serving a God who has granted us salvation and more. This is the relationship that God desires we have with Him.

Edited 2/7/2020

Amazing Grace, Amazing God (Ephesians 1:3-10)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 1:3-10

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

COMMENT

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world

What does this verse mean when it states that he (God) chose us? Does that mean He individually chose who would be saved and who wouldn't? Or does it mean that God chose those who would choose to believe to be saved? I have my opinions, but only God's opinion matters. I don't like it when people say things like, "Calvinism is the Gospel," or "Calvinism is heresy." There are valid points to both arguments, and also problems with both arguments. It just seems a little arrogant or self-righteous to say such things. And these are the people who usually will not even listen to another's point of view.

that we should be holy and blameless before him.

This is why He redeems us. Not so that we can be right, or so that we can save others. It is so that we can stand before Him, so that one day we can be in His presence. Sure, it is good to be right, it is good to do all kinds of things, but that is not why He redeems us. And you know what that should produce in us? Humility. Worship. Love, both for God and for others. The leaders in Jesus' time lacked these things. They were full of pride, their worship was in vain, and they loved their places and titles more than God. Many today are in a similar boat. Abandon ship!

 according to the riches of his grace

I love that phrase. God is not just merciful, but He is rich in grace. His grace is not something given out with an eye dropper, but poured out abundantly, because God has much grace! And we are blessed according to the riches of His grace, and not the works of our own selves. That is why grace is so amazing. 

which he lavished upon us

He didn't just give us grace, He lavished it upon us. He poured out so much grace because we needed so much grace. We will never run out of grace, He has given us so much!

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

He did it for our sake, so that heaven and earth can be united. He did not need earth to come to Him to be complete, but we certainly need heaven to come to us to be complete. Praise God for what He does for our sake.

1 Thess 4:1-8

SCRIPTURE

1 Thess 4:1-8

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.  For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.  For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;  that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,  not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;  that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.  For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.  Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Comment

I heard a video on You Tube where someone was talking about all of the expectations that are set forth for Christians, and how faith alone is not mentioned in the Bible. Sounds a lot like the kind of stuff Paul was combating in Galatians, where the Judaizers were all clamoring for circumcision.

Yes, there are plenty of passages that talk about what true Christianity should look like. Like this passage. But these are descriptive passages, because it is important that we have a good look at what Christianity should be about. They are not prescriptive, telling us how to live in each and every situation. That would be law, and we are no longer under the law, but under grace.

Now there are some who abuse this too, saying that since we are under grace, we can do as we please. They are also wrong. They are the very reason for the need of passages such as this. 

Such teachings, in either case, go against the Holy Spirit. If you can't see that, maybe read and pray a bit more, or maybe just get your head out of da Nile. 

 Descriptive, not prescriptive

1 Thess 1:8-10

SCRIPTURE

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

COMMENT

Would Paul, or anyone else for that matter, say that about me? That my faith was so evident, others need not say a word? That is repentance. That is turning from self toward Jesus. They had worshiped idols, so had I. Different ones, but idols none the less. But do I serve God? Is it obvious? Or am I just fooling myself? I ask myself that a lot. Still haven't come up with a good answer. All I can do is fall on His grace.

Trivial Pursuit? (Romans 9:30-33)

SCRIPTURE

Romans 9:30-33
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

COMMENT

Israel pursued righteousness (as do many Christians today) through the law. It was what they were taught and what they knew. It is also the default condition of the human heart and thought process when it comes to reconciliation. If I did someone wrong, I must make restitution. Our laws are based on this idea. But Israel did not attain their goal, for there is no law that leads to reconciliation with God. There is nothing we can do to reconcile our behavior with a perfect God.

Yet there is hope, because there is a righteousness available that is not based on the law. Instead, it is based on faith. Through faith we are saved because through faith we are forgiven. Think of a child who has committed an act against their parents. Let's say they became angry and threw a rock through one of the windows of the house. Later, they regret their action. They make a card telling their parent how sorry they are, they are sincerely sorry and realize their wrong. The parent forgives them? Why? Was it the card? Could the parent take the card to the store and buy a new window with it? No. Clearly, not enough restitution has been made to forgive the act, yet it was forgiven because of the heart of the child. Grace.

So what happens to the child who is not under grace? They are under the law. They will likely face punishment because of their action. The law and the punishment do not make for reconciliation. Or what if the child takes it upon themself to reconcile, so they go into their piggy bank, take out enough money to repair the window, and gives it to the parents. No apology, no remorse, just hands them the money and walks away. Is there reconciliation? Has the relationship been restored? Not at all.

Jesus is the stumbling stone for those who rely on the law. A rock of offense. That is becuse with Jesus you cannot just pay your restitution and move on with life as if all is well. He requires faith, repentance, genuine sorrow. Basically, with Jesus we cannot fix it through our own actions, but only through faith. And those who believe in Him will not be put to shame, Amen.

Mindset (Romans 8:5-6)

SCRIPTURE

Romans 8:5-6
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

COMMENT

Scientific research shows that our minds have a powerful affect toward our ability to accomplish a goal. The more likely we believe we can do a task, the more likely we are to get it done. It is called "growth mindset," and directly affects our ability to learn, and therefor e to grow.

In this passage, Paul seems to be discussing mindset. We have a choice, set our minds on things of the flesh or things of the Spirit. Setting your mind on the flesh leads to death (failure), while  setting your mind on the Spirit leads to life and peace. I think this also goes to the idea of what God desires when He calls us to repentance. It is not a matter of turning your back on sin, which for may it would seem is focusing on the flesh and on what we should not be doing. It is more about turning to God (and the Spirit of God), and seeing how His grace will enable us to be successful.

Free to Serve (Romans 7:6)

SCRIPTURE

Romans 7:6
But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

COMMENTS

Here is what I want to take away from this verse: We still serve!

I know there are some who say that since we are not under the law, we have the freedom to do whatever we want. Paul handles this thought on several occasions, and the answer can be summed up with the words, "by no means!" But then there is also a group that preaches that we are not under the law, but under grace, who are accused of saying that we don't have to do any good works. Who accuses them? Those who would put them under works. Here, Paul makes it clear that works are still important, we still serve, but in a new way. The old way had a list of rules, laws, commandments, so much so that no one could follow them. The new way was to be in the Spirit. This is not some mystical set of feelings that lead the believer, it is the Spirit of love, the Spirit of grace. It is the Christian's heartfelt response to salvation from God. I always go back to Romans 12:1,2. This teaches that we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice because of (as a response to) the mercy of God. This creates transformation, which in turn gives us discernment as to what God desires from us.

Is there a danger here? Absolutely. If we are not honest with ourselves, we could say what we want when it comes to what God wants from us. Jesus addressed this with the parable of the wheat and tares when he told them not to pull the weeds, lest they destroy some of wheat in the process. He said to let them grow together until the harvest, then let God's judgment resolve the issue.

That is tough to do, but I believe that there is so much wisdom in that.

Bad Karma (Galatians 6:6-10)

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 6:6-10
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

COMMENT

For this section, I want to focus on verse 7. Here it is: Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. I want to start by saying this, this verse does not teach karma! I have heard people reference this verse when wanting to say that the Bible does agree with karma, but I wholeheartedly believe that it does not!

Karma:   (car-ma) is a word meaning the result of a person's actions as well as the actions themselves. It is a term about the cycle of cause and effect. According to the theory of Karma, what happens to a person, happens because they caused it with their actions.

In the idea of karma, one might say, "What goes around, comes around." In other words, if you do good things, good will ultimately be your reward. Likewise, if you do bad things, bad will ultimately be your reward. This takes us right back to the idea of law, and how we must earn our salvation, and even our rewards in this life. (insert upchuck emoji here)

What this verse does teach is that choices have consequences. If you play with fire, you might get burned. If you live in bitterness and anger, expect the consequences of bitterness and anger to be a part of your life. This is different that the idea of karma, which says that if you live in bitterness and anger, and equal amount of bitterness and anger will be your penance.

The motivation for doing good in karma is to receive that amount of good in return, to be rewarded for that good. The cause is how you live, and the effect is what you receive as a result. In Paul's economy, the cause is living by (seeking to please) the Spirit of God, and this is done even if it is difficult or we do not receive a reward for those actions in this life. This is why is says "let us not grow weary of doing good." Our reward, the effect, will be realized "in due season." Our reward will be spending eternity in the presence of God, not because we have earned it via good works, but because of actions we have displayed because of our faith in God. By grace you have been saved through faith! (Ephesians 2:8)

Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26)

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 5:16-26
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

COMMENT

Everything Paul has been saying in Galatians is the precursor to these verses. Paul has been fighting the idea of those who wanted to put some kind of conditions on salvation in addition faith in Christ. I believe their problem was fear. Fear that telling someone that faith alone is all it takes would lead to some form of licentiousness. Paul answers that fear in verse 16. If we walk in the Spirit, we will not gratify the flesh. Those who walk this way are not under the law. Want to know if you are walking in the Spirit, it should be obvious, but Paul gives some examples of living by the flesh. He then goes on to show what it should look like if we are living by the Spirit. In all of this, Paul does not feel the need to give a list of rules.

Truth is, there will be those who will take advantage of the gospel, who will here only what they want to. Paul knew this could not be avoided. So do I. You will always have your Osteens and Battersons etc. who prey in one form or another on others. Who prey on those who want to hear a particular message because of their own bias or desires. Those whose ears are itching for salvation, but not in the form of the gospel. Their condemnation is still deserved. Those are difficult words to speak and to hear, but I believe that that is exactly what Paul is saying in Galatians. Guard your privy parts!

Really, Paul? (Galatians 5:7-15)

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 5:7-15
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

LANGUAGE

Vs 12  Emasculate - to amputate; reflexively (by irony) to mutilate (the privy parts): — cut off.

COMMENT

Couple of thoughts.

One, they were doing good, but suddenly they are not obeying the truth. So this idea of needing the law is not just a poor but excusable choice, it is to not obey the truth. So this is serious stuff! When we follow doctrine that is wrong, sounds like there could be serious consequence.

Two, Paul was persecuted because he did not preach circumcision. Paul, writer of most of the New Testament, faced persecution because they did not like his doctrine and teaching! But I love Paul's response. He wishes that those who preached circumcision would go the whole distance and cut off their privy parts.

Again, he does not leave this without reminding them that he is not advocating following the flesh. He is advocating the only appropriate response to the gospel is to love and serve one another (and in essence, to love and serve God). Any other response will end in self-destruction.

Freedom (Galatians 5:1-6)

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 5:1-6
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

COMMENT

Christ came to set us free. Free from the burden of slavery to the law. That's right, slavery. Because the law is oppressive, it demands everything from us. To fail at one point of law is to be a law breaker and therefore a failure. Why would anyone who has been set free return to such a burden?

Paul clarifies. If we accept circumcision, then we accept the law, all of it. If we accept the law, we reject the freedom that Christ gives, so having Christ is of no value. I think the hardest part of this teaching is that if we accept the law, if we choose that path to righteousness, we have fallen from grace. So that good, moral person who thinks that will be enough to save him, is outside of grace because he is not living by faith in Christ, but by law. Therefore, he is as guilty as the murderer or thief, etc. who does not turn to Christ.

The freedom found in Christ and the burden of living by the law are incompatible. This does not mean that we are not under obligation however. But that obligation is to live by the Spirit, to walk by faith in the fact that Jesus suffered and died to free us from our sin. That He set us free from the burden of the law to live a life that freely responds to the mercy and grace of God. Therefore, we still do good, but the good that we do is a response to what God has done (in view of God's mercy. Rom 12:1,2) rather than an attempt to earn salvation ourselves.

Children of the Promise (Galatians 4:21-31)

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 4:21-31
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

COMMENT

So to those who think that salvation comes from Jesus and some other obligations, are you aware that if you are under one bit of law you are obligated to the entire law? He gives the example from the Old Testament. One child corresponds to the slavery of the law, the other to the freedom based on the promise. I'll take the promise. Christ has promised us freedom, not slavery.

This does not mean that there is not a cross to bear. Remember, Jesus bore His cross for the joy that was set before him. Unless we do the same for the same reason, I believe we are acting in vain. Jesus's joy came from His service and obedience to the Father out of His love for the Father. It was not an act of obedience for the sake of obedience. Had that been the case, I believe Satan's temptations might actually have worked.

Surrendering the Blessing (Galatians 4:15-20)

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 4:15-20
What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

COMMENT

What is the blessedness that they had lost? I believe it is the gospel, the idea that Jesus died for our sins and that is sufficient for us. When we surrender our freedom and go back to trying to live up to an impossible standard (a law of any kind), we have given up a freedom for a burden that at least eventually will crush us. To give up on the freedom we have in Christ is to give up on liberty and the standard  by which our love for Christ determines our actions and to take up  to a standard that says we must do certain things to be acceptable and the failure to do so means that not only is our love for Him insufficient, but His love for us is as well.

Prior to surrendering their blessedness, how were they living? I propose that they were living a life of sacrificial surrender to Christ. Look at how they treated Paul. For the sake of the gospel, they would have torn out their own eyes and given them to him. Now, because of the caustic influence of others, they resent him and his words. Paul is perplexed by their behavior. Why the change? Why surrender grace for law?

I think the answer for that is simple: as humans we tend to want to take the path of least resistance. Grace is better, its burden is lighter, but it is also harder in some ways. Law is comfortable. I don't have to think or commit to follow a prescribed path. I don't have to think. Just go on autopilot and crash right into the mountain. Don't smoke, drink, cuss, or whatever your belief system says. Then you don't have to think about what it means to love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself. I sure hope that the GPS has been updated.

Be Like Me (Galatians 4:12-14)

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 4:12-14
Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

COMMENT

Paul starts this section off with an interesting request, that the Galatians be like him. Knowing Paul, I do not believe that this is stated in a proud or authoritarian way, but rather humbly. Be a follower of Christ and not the law, be saved, be confident in Christ. Then he also states that he has become like them. Perhaps he means that he has tried to put himself in their shoes? Perhaps he is talking about the fact that he also was once a follower of the law, and is now a follower of Christ?

The Galatians are near and dear to Paul. He has genuine affection and connection with them. When he first preached to them, he was ill, yet they did not see his illness as a burden, but praised God for his teaching. They exhibited a true spirit of Jesus. But things seem to be changing. Why? Because of the ones who would enslave them under the law again.

I think this shows how the gospel message is not just a means justification, but also a means of sanctification. In other words, it is not just something we need to hear once to get saved, but it is something we need to hear constantly to grow in our faith. Paul was somewhat unique in that he had this physical ailment that always reminded him of his dependence on Christ, perhaps even of the day and means of his salvation on the road to Damascus. The gospel and grace of God were with him in his affliction. He knew it slowed him down, but God knew he needed it. God knew His grace was sufficient for Paul. And so did Paul. 

Gospel (Galatians 3:1-6)

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 3:1-6
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

LANGUAGE

Vs 1  Foolish - not understanding, unwise, foolish
Vs 1  bewitched - to charm, to bewitch

COMMENT

So it appears that at least some (many?) of the Galatians just did not understand the gospel. I think this is true in the church today as well. We think we know it all. We think we have to do certain good things (while totally ignoring other things) to be saved. But this is not the gospel that was preached to them by Paul! Not only Paul, but many had seen the gospel lived out in the crucifixion of Jesus. And then there is the gift of the Spirit. They received the Holy Spirit, not by following a set of laws, but they received Him through faith. Did they think that would change over time? Here is this wonderful gift of faith, which you get to keep if you obey? No! Here is this wonderful gift of faith, and as you grow in it, you will grow in your obedience. It's called sanctification, and it comes through growing in faith and not through obedience.They had witnessed miracles. Did they think those miracles came because of their obedience? That quote about Abraham, it comes from the Old Testament. (Gen 15:6) It was Abraham's faith that earned his righteousness.

Yet this is what we want to believe, that somehow me and my obedience play a part in the process. I sometimes wonder way we think this way. I think it is just part of our human nature to think that we have to be a part of the process. It is why prosperity preachers are so popular. They even couch their version of works based Christianity into a version that turns faith into a work. "If you are not getting what you want from God, it is because you do not have enough faith!" As if mustard seed faith was not enough. As if we could believe, but not believe good enough. As if a woman could be a little bit pregnant.

This goes to be thoughts on repentance. We are told to repent of our sins and turn to Jesus. No. The repenting is to turn to Jesus, the sins then go away because we love Him and want to please Him. If we are going to say it at all, it should be that we turn (repent) to Jesus, then turn away from our sins. We turn not out of effort, but because they no longer appeal to us.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

Behavior Change (Galatians 1:11-24)

SCRIPTURE

Galatians 1:11-24

COMMENT

Paul claims that the gospel that he was preaching came directly from Jesus himself. But why believe him? I find at least two credible reasons. The first being, what did Paul have to gain in his conversion? Prior to the Damascus Road experience, Paul was on top of the world. A Jewish leader, perhaps in line to become High Priest someday. Educated, a Roman citizen, probably very well off. Conversion meant all of that would be gone, and that he would be shunned by the Jewish leaders as well as any family he had, a castoff, surrendering all possessions as well. (see Philippians 3:4-11)

The second reason is kind of mind blowing. Paul was a murderer of men, women, and children simply because they were Christians. He would now face that same fate from his former peers. I heard one preacher say it would be like seeing the conversion of Osama bin Ladin. Not only would his opponents mistrust him, but he would have to live in constant fear of retribution from his own peers. In fact, read verses 22-24. "And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me."  I have never met Osama, but I know of his deeds. Had he suddenly turned a 180, I think it would be cause for consideration of why.

Paul says in verse 15 that he was set apart before he was born. I don't think God had a plan B. I don't believe that God had someone else waiting in the wings if Paul had refused. You can debate whether or not Paul had a choice in the matter, but Paul was God's man, and he would get the job done. There was no understudy. Called by God's grace, it says that God was pleased to reveal his Son to Paul. Think about that for a moment. A murderous sinner who violently pursued those who loved God, and God was pleased to reveal Jesus to him. It brought God joy. How can you not love a God whose grace is so abundant?