September 23, 2006 - Song of Solomon 1-3 and Galatians 2
There is no doubt that God wants us to enjoy the blessings of marital love, unless He gives us the gift of chastity and wants us to be single. The way God created us makes the love between a man and a woman a remarkably exciting and satisfying experience. The Song of Solomon celebrates that kind of love and excitement. Even though we would not use many of the expressions of love in our language today, it reminds us of how we should use our words to express our love to our mate, and do it often. I urge you to drink in the beauty and the wonder of love as you read this book, and let God use it in your life whether you are married or not, since marital love is a picture of our relationship with Christ. (Ephesians 5:22)
Galatians 2 continues to show us how Paul did not follow what men said, but what God had revealed to him. He is very blunt when he says that he went up to Jerusalem after 14 years, because God revealed that he should go, not because men required or requested it. (v.2) Then, he tells us that the apostles "added nothing to me." (v.6) I do not think this is a cut to them, but an affirmation that Paul was on the right track himself. Finally, after the story of Peter and Barnabas acting hypocritically in Antioch, he caps off this chapter with a wonderful description of the Christian life. Christianity is not laws or outward actions. It is a relationship with Christ. It is Christ living in us. (v.20) It is us allowing Christ to live through us. After all, He died for us, so we should live for Him. What a testimony of God's love and power! Christ is our life. Is that how you know Him? I pray that it is, because that is the only true Christianity.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Song of Solomon 4-5 and Galatians 3.
Galatians 2 continues to show us how Paul did not follow what men said, but what God had revealed to him. He is very blunt when he says that he went up to Jerusalem after 14 years, because God revealed that he should go, not because men required or requested it. (v.2) Then, he tells us that the apostles "added nothing to me." (v.6) I do not think this is a cut to them, but an affirmation that Paul was on the right track himself. Finally, after the story of Peter and Barnabas acting hypocritically in Antioch, he caps off this chapter with a wonderful description of the Christian life. Christianity is not laws or outward actions. It is a relationship with Christ. It is Christ living in us. (v.20) It is us allowing Christ to live through us. After all, He died for us, so we should live for Him. What a testimony of God's love and power! Christ is our life. Is that how you know Him? I pray that it is, because that is the only true Christianity.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Song of Solomon 4-5 and Galatians 3.