Category: Galations

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The Apostles stood for the one and the same Gospel. There is a modern teaching that Paul gave one gospel and Peter a different version. This is just baseless speculation that goes against what the Apostles themselves wrote. Was Paul justified in his treatment of Peter?

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, thank You for this day, and for Your word to us. Thank You for Your grace, that we live in.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

Paul points us to a radical set of truths.

We were once dead in our sins.

But aren’t we ourselves made alive in Christ? Why does Paul say that it is not us who live but Christ in us?

Yes _we_ are alive in Christ! Ephesians 2:4-7 tells us we are, no question.

But it is our Lord and Saviour alive in us through the gift of faith (by God’s grace) that gives us life, sustains our life, and He makes His dwelling in us (little tabernacles)!

See, Paul wants us to understand, like in Romans, to understand RIGHTEOUSNESS.

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”

The “me” in me wants to work salvation through the law, some man-given gospel, through my own actions and thoughts and determination.

But when we are alive in Christ, Him living in us, we are both covered by His righteousness (a white robe replacing our filthy rags) _and_ we grow toward righteousness (and better understand it little by little) through the sanctification the Holy Spirit works within us.

Let us be encouraged and exhorted to continually be returning to the Lord. To His word, hearing His precepts, His laws, His commands and statutes, His testimonies – So that day by day we can grow more like Jesus, Him alive in us.

Hallelujah!

* Saviour God,

Thank You for Jesus, who lives in us – Your people!

Thank You for calling us, from before we were born!

Thank You for the free gift of faith, that You are so full of grace as to bring life into dead hearts, to wrap in love those who were Your enemies.

Thank You Lord!

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

These people are ethnic French – Gauls living in Turkey. Paul recounts his testimony – in order to unblock the ears of these Christians, so that they will listen to what he is saying. How easy do you find it when someone pulls you up about your beliefs?

SJA Notes

* God in Heaven, Your word is life to our spirits, bread to our souls. Please teach us today.

“If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

There is only one gospel. Only one Saviour. Only one way to be saved.

Paul is clear and strong in his words to the Galatian church,

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you …”

They were walking astray, veering off into bad doctrine, walking after false teachers (wolves in the clothing of God’s sheep).

And they were doing this quickly.

What was missing?

One thing we can assume is that they  were _not_ like the believers at Berea, who when taught by Paul, did as follows with his teaching,

“… They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

This is a good encouragement for us to be alert and watchful with what we take in, that it be the true gospel (and not a false one).

To be people of the word! Examining, reading, pouring over God’s word – Does the teaching hold with scripture?

* God Above,

Please help us read and dwell on Your word each day, holding it as the standard by which we measure all teaching that comes to us from man.

Please help us Lord in this.

Thank You for Your word, and for Your faithfulness to us as shown throughout the scriptures.

Amen.