December 1 - Galatians 4-6
In this passage Paul goes to great lengths to convince the Galatian believers that the Christian life is becoming a new creation in Jesus, instead of keeping the laws of the Old Testament. (6:15) I hope these verses will inspire us all to see what is really important in our lives. Many times we miss the blessings of life because we are caught up in rituals or in legalism. Galatians should set us free from that trap.
In chapter 4 the emphasis is that we are sons of God once we come to know Christ, and we are no longer slaves. We are adopted into God's family, and we are heirs through Christ. The relationship is the most important thing to see. In Christ we are living close to Him, so He leads us to do His will out of love, not just by keeping laws. Paul uses Ishmael and Issac to illustrate the two covenants. We are the children of promise like Issac, and we are part of the covenant of promise instead of the covenant of bondage. As we serve Christ, it should not be a drudgery, but a joy.
Chapter 5 captures the essence of our relationship in verse 6, when Paul says that it is faith working through love. We are motivated by love, when we see how Christ loved us, and died for us. Then, we put our faith in Him for our salvation. Our relationship continues from there as a love relationship that is lived out by faith in Christ. This is why we walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. (v.16) We do not want to be selfish any more. We want to please Christ, whom we love. We turn from the works of the flesh, and we ask the Spirit to produce His fruit in us. That is real life.
Chapter 6 exhorts us to help each other grow in the Lord by bearing one another's burdens, but it quickly points out that the reason for this is that each of us will have to bear his own load. In other words, we should help others grow in the Lord, until they are mature and able to carry their own load. Then, they can help someone else. Then, they will be ready to stand before the Lord. This should inspire us to keep on working no matter what happens. (v.9) How are you doing? Are you weary of doing good? If so, wait on the Lord and renew your strength in Him. Then you can keep up the good fight of faith yourself and help others, too.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ephesians 1-3.
In chapter 4 the emphasis is that we are sons of God once we come to know Christ, and we are no longer slaves. We are adopted into God's family, and we are heirs through Christ. The relationship is the most important thing to see. In Christ we are living close to Him, so He leads us to do His will out of love, not just by keeping laws. Paul uses Ishmael and Issac to illustrate the two covenants. We are the children of promise like Issac, and we are part of the covenant of promise instead of the covenant of bondage. As we serve Christ, it should not be a drudgery, but a joy.
Chapter 5 captures the essence of our relationship in verse 6, when Paul says that it is faith working through love. We are motivated by love, when we see how Christ loved us, and died for us. Then, we put our faith in Him for our salvation. Our relationship continues from there as a love relationship that is lived out by faith in Christ. This is why we walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. (v.16) We do not want to be selfish any more. We want to please Christ, whom we love. We turn from the works of the flesh, and we ask the Spirit to produce His fruit in us. That is real life.
Chapter 6 exhorts us to help each other grow in the Lord by bearing one another's burdens, but it quickly points out that the reason for this is that each of us will have to bear his own load. In other words, we should help others grow in the Lord, until they are mature and able to carry their own load. Then, they can help someone else. Then, they will be ready to stand before the Lord. This should inspire us to keep on working no matter what happens. (v.9) How are you doing? Are you weary of doing good? If so, wait on the Lord and renew your strength in Him. Then you can keep up the good fight of faith yourself and help others, too.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ephesians 1-3.