Galatians 5:1
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
Here Paul once again is making reference to the rules and regulations of Judaism. That the, “yoke of bondage” to the law is no longer necessary because, Jesus Christ died to free us from it.
His purpose in dying for us, is that we might be set free from sin and death. We were slaves but did not understand our slavery at the time. There are no chains on our hands, but sin is a slavery of the soul – more subtle but very real.
Jesus has broken the chains of guilt and shame around our hearts and set us free from the bondage of the law. We only need to say “yes” to Him to experience true freedom and the joy, peace and love that come with His forgiveness.
The Truth
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Our Adoption As Sons
Galatians 4:5
“But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His son, made of a women, under the law, to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
At just the right time, Jesus Christ was sent to purchase us who were under the law. Trying hard to obey it, but, powerless to do so, He took our position on the cross that we might take the position as sons of God through adoption.
Adoption speaks of our privilege and position within God’s family. The moment we are born again, we are placed in an adopted state as heirs, as sons of God.
Because we are adopted sons, we have the Spirit of the only begotten Son in our hearts. Therefore we can call God, “Abba”, Father – and like all fathers, He will hear the voice of His children.
The Truth
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,” (Romans 8:16-17)
“But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His son, made of a women, under the law, to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
At just the right time, Jesus Christ was sent to purchase us who were under the law. Trying hard to obey it, but, powerless to do so, He took our position on the cross that we might take the position as sons of God through adoption.
Adoption speaks of our privilege and position within God’s family. The moment we are born again, we are placed in an adopted state as heirs, as sons of God.
Because we are adopted sons, we have the Spirit of the only begotten Son in our hearts. Therefore we can call God, “Abba”, Father – and like all fathers, He will hear the voice of His children.
The Truth
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,” (Romans 8:16-17)
Monday, November 10, 2014
Redeemed From The Law
Galatians 3:13
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)
Paul is not saying that the law is a curse, but that the law has a curse—death. Christ paid the penalty for our sins and so as long as we remain in the relationship with Him, we do not have to fear the eternal death that is the normal penalty for sin.
Even though the law can guide a person in the right way to live, and even though it describes the character of God, it also condemns and brings us guilty before God through an awareness of sin. However, it does not possess the power to forgive, to justify, or give life. It can do nothing to reverse the condemnation – the curse – once it is incurred through sin.
But, Christ who took the curse upon Himself so that we would not have to bear our own punishment redeemed us from the law. And the Father, in His mercy, forgives us and justifies us through faith in His Son.
The Truth
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)
Paul is not saying that the law is a curse, but that the law has a curse—death. Christ paid the penalty for our sins and so as long as we remain in the relationship with Him, we do not have to fear the eternal death that is the normal penalty for sin.
Even though the law can guide a person in the right way to live, and even though it describes the character of God, it also condemns and brings us guilty before God through an awareness of sin. However, it does not possess the power to forgive, to justify, or give life. It can do nothing to reverse the condemnation – the curse – once it is incurred through sin.
But, Christ who took the curse upon Himself so that we would not have to bear our own punishment redeemed us from the law. And the Father, in His mercy, forgives us and justifies us through faith in His Son.
The Truth
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Saved By Faith
Galatians 2:16a
“knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.”
Good deeds will not save us, through they are marks of a mature Christian, only faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone will justify us before the Almighty.
The Truth
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.”
Good deeds will not save us, through they are marks of a mature Christian, only faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone will justify us before the Almighty.
The Truth
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Restore With Meekness
Galatians 1:6-7
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel, which is really no gospel at all; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ"
Here, the apostle endeavors to impress upon these Galatians a sense of their guilt in forsaking the gospel way of justification; and yet at the same time, he tempers his reproof with mildness and tenderness towards them.
He represents them as being drawn away (to a different gospel) rather than coming to it of their own accord. Though this does not excuse them, it allows for grace to work, as it can be viewed as not entirely of their own volition.
This teaches us that, in reproving others, as we should be faithful, gentle, and endeavor to restore others in the spirit of meekness.
The Truth
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in ant trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel, which is really no gospel at all; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ"
Here, the apostle endeavors to impress upon these Galatians a sense of their guilt in forsaking the gospel way of justification; and yet at the same time, he tempers his reproof with mildness and tenderness towards them.
He represents them as being drawn away (to a different gospel) rather than coming to it of their own accord. Though this does not excuse them, it allows for grace to work, as it can be viewed as not entirely of their own volition.
This teaches us that, in reproving others, as we should be faithful, gentle, and endeavor to restore others in the spirit of meekness.
The Truth
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in ant trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Cleansed and Forgiven
Joel Ch.3:20-21
“But Juda shall dwell forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion.”
In that day (the day of the Lord) God’s people will look at Jesus – the one they had pierced – and they will at last realize what He did for them (Zechariah 12:9-10). They will mourn over the fact that they rejected Him.
In that day, they will see Him and embrace Him. They will be cleansed and forgiven, and all of Israel will be saved.
The Truth
“And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “the deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26-27)
“But Juda shall dwell forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion.”
In that day (the day of the Lord) God’s people will look at Jesus – the one they had pierced – and they will at last realize what He did for them (Zechariah 12:9-10). They will mourn over the fact that they rejected Him.
In that day, they will see Him and embrace Him. They will be cleansed and forgiven, and all of Israel will be saved.
The Truth
“And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “the deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26-27)
Sunday, November 2, 2014
The Day Of The Lord
Joel 1:15
“Alas the day. For the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as destruction from the almighty.”
There are three major days or eras spoken of in Scripture; the day of man, the day of Christ and the day of the Lord.
We are presently in the day of man (1 Corinthians 4:3), where mankind is having his own way. This world, for the most part, has rejected the Lord and is suffering the consequences.
The day of Christ, spoken of in 1 Corinthians 1:7-8; 2 Corinthians 1:14 and Philippians 1:6, is synonymous with the Rapture of the Church – when the church is taken up into heaven and will spend 7 years with Christ before returning with Him to rule and reign on the earth.
The third day spoken of in the Scriptures (Isaiah 2:12; 13:6 Ezekiel 30:3) is the day of the Lord. It is a time immediately following the rapture when God intervenes directly in the affairs of humanity. This begins a period of time known as the great tribulation – the seven-year period seen in Revelation 6-19, when God finally gets the attention of a world that isn’t listening. This continues into the event directly following the tribulation – the Millennium, 1000 years of peace when Jesus rules and reigns from Jerusalem.
While two of these eras are yet future, we need to be living our lives with the expectation of His eminent return, that we might be counted worthy to escape the things which are to come.
The Truth
“Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. Therefore all hands will be limp, every man’s heart will melt, and they will be afraid.” (Isaiah 13:6-7)
“Alas the day. For the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as destruction from the almighty.”
There are three major days or eras spoken of in Scripture; the day of man, the day of Christ and the day of the Lord.
We are presently in the day of man (1 Corinthians 4:3), where mankind is having his own way. This world, for the most part, has rejected the Lord and is suffering the consequences.
The day of Christ, spoken of in 1 Corinthians 1:7-8; 2 Corinthians 1:14 and Philippians 1:6, is synonymous with the Rapture of the Church – when the church is taken up into heaven and will spend 7 years with Christ before returning with Him to rule and reign on the earth.
The third day spoken of in the Scriptures (Isaiah 2:12; 13:6 Ezekiel 30:3) is the day of the Lord. It is a time immediately following the rapture when God intervenes directly in the affairs of humanity. This begins a period of time known as the great tribulation – the seven-year period seen in Revelation 6-19, when God finally gets the attention of a world that isn’t listening. This continues into the event directly following the tribulation – the Millennium, 1000 years of peace when Jesus rules and reigns from Jerusalem.
While two of these eras are yet future, we need to be living our lives with the expectation of His eminent return, that we might be counted worthy to escape the things which are to come.
The Truth
“Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. Therefore all hands will be limp, every man’s heart will melt, and they will be afraid.” (Isaiah 13:6-7)
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Cry To The Lord
Joel 1:14
“Sanctify you a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry to the LORD”
The plague of locusts that had so devastated Israel’s crops, carried an important lesson. Sin is not just an individual matter--it's a corporate one as well. Therefore, the nation was feeling the divine discipline of God.
In our text we see the prophet Joel calling on God’s people to; fast, gather together, cry unto the Lord with tears of repentance and seek God’s forgiveness for their sin as a nation.
America is in the same boat, a nation in need of repentance. We are so far from our Christian Roots that I shutter to think of the judgment we have in store for us at the end of His grace and mercy unless, we “cry to the Lord”, repent and turn from our present course.
Although the Lord is longsuffering towards us (and not willing that any should perish but, that all should come to repentance 2 Peter 3:9) there will come a time when He will no longer hold back His divine judgment.
The Truth
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God who will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)
“Sanctify you a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry to the LORD”
The plague of locusts that had so devastated Israel’s crops, carried an important lesson. Sin is not just an individual matter--it's a corporate one as well. Therefore, the nation was feeling the divine discipline of God.
In our text we see the prophet Joel calling on God’s people to; fast, gather together, cry unto the Lord with tears of repentance and seek God’s forgiveness for their sin as a nation.
America is in the same boat, a nation in need of repentance. We are so far from our Christian Roots that I shutter to think of the judgment we have in store for us at the end of His grace and mercy unless, we “cry to the Lord”, repent and turn from our present course.
Although the Lord is longsuffering towards us (and not willing that any should perish but, that all should come to repentance 2 Peter 3:9) there will come a time when He will no longer hold back His divine judgment.
The Truth
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God who will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)
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