I recently took some time and sat down and read through the book of Galatians. If you have never read this letter that points to God’s Grace… do yourself a favor and take it in. Like a good meal, its best eaten in one sitting.
In this devotional I wanted to point out a few of the standout verses in this book for you to chew on & then give you some commentary on each:
(1:6) “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.” Paul the apostle, here writing to churches he himself was the tool God used to plant and start these churches, is challenging the believers because they are allowing false teachers and bad influences to turn them from the simplicity and purity of the real gospel. Be careful child of God from allowing anyone to turn you from the simplicity of the Word Of God and the Spirit of God.
(2:20) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Here, Paul gives us the true secret to victory in the individual christians life. The fact that Jesus actually lives within us in the KEY. Allowing Him to live His life in and through us is the great mystery but also the great advantage of a man or a woman who has been humbled by grace and then allowed Jesus Himself to step into the driver’s seat in your and my life.
(3:28) “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Paul, here because of the finished work of the cross is explaining to a people in a real class system and structure of society that God has made us all one in Christ and all equal in Christ. In God’s eyes, in the shadow of the cross… we are all equal and we are all valuable and our societal status means literally nothing to Him.
(4:17) “They zealously court you, but for no good; yes they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.” As wonderful of a work that God was doing in the Galatian church… there was just as much of a push by false brethren to trip up and side track those believers that were doing well. Paul, here tells them, they do this, “that you may be zealous for them.” They want to be the center but what is making you well is Jesus at the center.
(5:16) “Stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Paul said, you are Jesus’ now so do not let anyone through manipulation, guilt, slander, gossip or a false self righteousness put you again in a yoke of bondage.
(6:7) “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” You see, this is the truly sad part. Sin is bad. Gossip, slander, anger, bitterness, jealousies, hatred in your heart for someone, outbursts of wrath. These actions according to God’s word are indicator lights of a problem within. Now, Paul was all of these things before Jesus’ appearance to him on the road to Demascus, but he was changed by God’s grace. You see, what happened in Galatia and what happens today is that men and women, in the flesh, do not even often realize that the enemy is using them, to rob others of the work of God in their life as Satan has already robbed them. Then, next thing you know the simple believer starts sowing gossip, anger, bitterness, jealousies and then the next thing you know, though God loves that person and cares for them, they will as God’s Word says unapologetically… they will reap what they have sown.
Precious saint, love Jesus, be humble, stay simply focused on Jesus, judge yourself not others, and let God’s Spirit handle the heavy lifting in and around you life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
By His Spirit,
Pastor Bill