Paul continues in Galatians 3 to define the purpose of the law. The law was never intended to save us, because the only way it can is for us to keep every single aspect of it perfectly, which is humanly impossible. So why, then, was the law given? To show us the impossibility of achieving salvation apart from faith in Christ. As with Abraham, it is through faith that we come to reconciliation with God. The law shows us how we are captives to our sin until we come to faith, relying on the perfectly lived life of our Lord and His sacrifice to make us presentable to God. The law is a guide, then, and not a means of salvation. Praise God for the provision of His Son and the promise of eternal life though Him!
In Galatians 2 we see just how difficult it was for these devote Jewish men to let go of their dependency on Jewish law. It’s not hard to understand; after all, they were raised from infancy to keep the law in order to be right with God. So the concept that this law keeping was never going to be adequate was one hard for them to accept. But that is the essence of the Gospel of Christ—it is through His perfect life and keeping of the law that we are saved. We rest in and depend upon Him and His sacrifice for our atonement. Anything else is filthy rags and devalues what Christ did for us. Paul knows this, and finds himself needing to remind the apostles of this fact. For until Peter and the rest of the apostles truly embrace this aspect of the Gospel, they cannot be free to truly preach it. As Paul states, “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” As Christians, we all need to embrace this so we are never tempted to think that our efforts apart from Christ will ever save us or anyone else. We must rest in Him and claim Him for our own.
Paul is again telling it like it is. His authority is being undermined. His credibility is being questioned. He writes not just to clear his name. He writes because the soul of the Galatian people is at stake. They are in jeopardy of abandoning the true faith of Christ (Galatians 1:6; 2:4).
I see Paul cutting to the chase and telling it like it is. In essence, he’s saying, “Listen. No one is validated by God by trying to adhere to all of the Jewish laws (Galatians 2:16). No one is able to do that. We all fail at multiple points in thought, word, or deed against God. We’re validated by God through trusting Christ Jesus and His faithfulness. So, since that is the case, we can say – Galatians 2:20 (NET 2nd ed.)
20I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Over and over and over, I battle with allowing Christ’s life to be lived in and through me.
Paul’s letter to the Galatian church was written to mainly address the confusion the Judaizers were sowing in the young church. In order to establish his credentials to do this, Paul had to remind the readers of his calling from God and audience with Christ Himself on the road to Damascus. Paul speaks from a position of authority, so that his teaching is not from man but from God, and supersedes the false gospel others are teaching. We are wise to keep close to the source, as well. The Word of God is sufficient in and of itself to provide salvation; while outside teachings have their place and can be helpful in interpreting the Word, we must always be vigilant to make sure we do not allow them to cloud or change the Word. Holy Scripture is unique in this way. God not only provided for it to be recorded for us, but He has preserved it for thousands of years and made it just as effective now as it was in Paul’s day. When in doubt, go to the source—Holy Scripture, and let it always be our first source of guidance, especially when the message of the world or others seem to be conflicting with the gospel that was first given to us.
One of the things that blows me away from Galatians 1 is Paul’s unwavering conviction that he is writing and doing exactly what Jesus is wanting him to write and do (Galatians 1:6-10).
He’s heard this message directly from Jesus (Galatians 1:1, 11-12, 15-16) and not other human sources. He’s telling it “like it is” because he is hearing from and serving Jesus, not a religious tradition or human authority (Galatians 1:1, 10-12,15-16).
A paraphrase of Galatians 1:1-2 could be translated, “This is Paul, an apostle (and just so you know, my calling as an apostle doesn’t come from humans, nor does it come through a human source. My calling as an apostle comes through Jesus, the anointed King, and God the Father who raise Him from the dead). So again, this is Paul and all the brothers who are with me, writing to the churches of Galatia. (See also Galatians 1:11-12.)
Paul is convinced that his message comes directly from Jesus and not another human. So, he’s saying to the Galatians, from whom some may be trying to undermine his authority, I am speaking from Jesus. What I am saying carries some weight, so don’t consider it lightly.
I am reminded of God’s call on my life to tell the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ, sourced in Jesus and His inspired written Word.
I think Galatians 1 is an example to seek to hear directly from Jesus in His Word. Commentaries and devotionals are good. They encourage me and I read and listen to them. You are reading comments about Galatians 1 here in this Bible reading plan. I am helped from reading and listening to what others say about Jesus and the Bible, and am better for doing so. But like Paul, we can hear from Jesus directly in His Word and not just second hand from a commentary or devotional. Read and listen to devotionals and commentaries. But don’t allow them to be a total substitute from hearing Jesus directly through His Word.
What Psalm 108 said to me today was “Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, at all times Praise the Lord!” Why is He to be the center of our unbroken praise? Firstly, because He is worthy. He made us and all things around us. He is the Creator God. Secondly, we must realize that apart from Him we can do nothing. “With God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes.” Apart from this realization, we cannot be the conquerors He wants us to be. Our strength, our resolve, our victory are all through Him. Because of this, my heart is fixed, erect, steadfast. He is my Rock and my Salvation, and I know that “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Knowing this, I must “Praise the Lord” forever!
Today’s reading reminds me of the struggles on Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness. Our Sunday School class has been looking at Numbers 13-14 and how God was working to teach them over and over about how He wanted to lead them and teach them what it meant to be His people. They had an earlier skirmish with the Amalekites during which Moses had to hold his staff up over his head as they fought. Whenever he let it drop, the army would lose. Eventually Aaron and Hur came alongside Moses to help him keep his arms raised. This was a clear indication that this ragtag bunch of former slaves was not the fighting machine to get this done, but it was God fighting for them.
When presented with the first opportunity to enter the Promised Land, they balked at the negative report from 10 of the 12 spies. They seemed to overlook the fact that God was able to do what they feared they could not do on their own. Upon hearing their fate (40 years of wandering and the death of all the people over age 20), they decided to take the land after all. There was one little problem though: God was not blessing this endeavor and was not going with them into the fight. They were not acting out of true faith and obedience. They lost badly. They learned first hand the truth of the final verses of this psalm David would write years later.
There are so many things we are unable to do on our own. But we know The One who is able.
There are portions of Psalm 57 and 60 in Psalm 108. Psalm 108 gets to the uncertainty of our walk with God sometimes and helps us to know that those hard times are part and parcel of walking with God.
In Psalm 108, I paused at the first verse on the word “steadfast.” It’s a word I don’t use much. The Common English Bible (CEB) connects with me when it translates the Hebrew word “unwavering.” The New English Translation (NET) uses the word “determined.”
My take away is no matter what is happening in my life. No matter if things seem to be getting worse and harder as I continue to pray and trust God, I am unwavering and determined to continue to praise my God. He is the true God. There is no other help like His help.
There is this sense of I know where my help is. Where else am I going to go (Psalm 108:12-13)? Who else can help like the Lord God of the universe? God has spoken (Psalm 108:7). He will bring the victory (Psalm 108:7-10). Verses 7-8 are areas of Israel that God has given to them. Verses 9-10 are hostile countries opposed to God and His people.
Psalm 108:11 gets to the dilemma. I know God is God and there is no one like Him. No one. Yet, God where are you? Where’s your help? So, I continue to be unwavering and determined to trust you, Lord God. We will win because you are on our side and fighting for us (Psalm 108:1, 13).
Paul continues in Galatians 3 to define the purpose of the law. The law was never intended to save us, because the only way it can is for us to keep every single aspect of it perfectly, which is humanly impossible. So why, then, was the law given? To show us the impossibility of achieving salvation apart from faith in Christ. As with Abraham, it is through faith that we come to reconciliation with God. The law shows us how we are captives to our sin until we come to faith, relying on the perfectly lived life of our Lord and His sacrifice to make us presentable to God. The law is a guide, then, and not a means of salvation. Praise God for the provision of His Son and the promise of eternal life though Him!
In Galatians 2 we see just how difficult it was for these devote Jewish men to let go of their dependency on Jewish law. It’s not hard to understand; after all, they were raised from infancy to keep the law in order to be right with God. So the concept that this law keeping was never going to be adequate was one hard for them to accept. But that is the essence of the Gospel of Christ—it is through His perfect life and keeping of the law that we are saved. We rest in and depend upon Him and His sacrifice for our atonement. Anything else is filthy rags and devalues what Christ did for us. Paul knows this, and finds himself needing to remind the apostles of this fact. For until Peter and the rest of the apostles truly embrace this aspect of the Gospel, they cannot be free to truly preach it. As Paul states, “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” As Christians, we all need to embrace this so we are never tempted to think that our efforts apart from Christ will ever save us or anyone else. We must rest in Him and claim Him for our own.
Paul is again telling it like it is. His authority is being undermined. His credibility is being questioned. He writes not just to clear his name. He writes because the soul of the Galatian people is at stake. They are in jeopardy of abandoning the true faith of Christ (Galatians 1:6; 2:4).
I see Paul cutting to the chase and telling it like it is. In essence, he’s saying, “Listen. No one is validated by God by trying to adhere to all of the Jewish laws (Galatians 2:16). No one is able to do that. We all fail at multiple points in thought, word, or deed against God. We’re validated by God through trusting Christ Jesus and His faithfulness. So, since that is the case, we can say – Galatians 2:20 (NET 2nd ed.)
20I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Over and over and over, I battle with allowing Christ’s life to be lived in and through me.
Paul’s letter to the Galatian church was written to mainly address the confusion the Judaizers were sowing in the young church. In order to establish his credentials to do this, Paul had to remind the readers of his calling from God and audience with Christ Himself on the road to Damascus. Paul speaks from a position of authority, so that his teaching is not from man but from God, and supersedes the false gospel others are teaching. We are wise to keep close to the source, as well. The Word of God is sufficient in and of itself to provide salvation; while outside teachings have their place and can be helpful in interpreting the Word, we must always be vigilant to make sure we do not allow them to cloud or change the Word. Holy Scripture is unique in this way. God not only provided for it to be recorded for us, but He has preserved it for thousands of years and made it just as effective now as it was in Paul’s day. When in doubt, go to the source—Holy Scripture, and let it always be our first source of guidance, especially when the message of the world or others seem to be conflicting with the gospel that was first given to us.
One of the things that blows me away from Galatians 1 is Paul’s unwavering conviction that he is writing and doing exactly what Jesus is wanting him to write and do (Galatians 1:6-10).
He’s heard this message directly from Jesus (Galatians 1:1, 11-12, 15-16) and not other human sources. He’s telling it “like it is” because he is hearing from and serving Jesus, not a religious tradition or human authority (Galatians 1:1, 10-12,15-16).
A paraphrase of Galatians 1:1-2 could be translated, “This is Paul, an apostle (and just so you know, my calling as an apostle doesn’t come from humans, nor does it come through a human source. My calling as an apostle comes through Jesus, the anointed King, and God the Father who raise Him from the dead). So again, this is Paul and all the brothers who are with me, writing to the churches of Galatia. (See also Galatians 1:11-12.)
Paul is convinced that his message comes directly from Jesus and not another human. So, he’s saying to the Galatians, from whom some may be trying to undermine his authority, I am speaking from Jesus. What I am saying carries some weight, so don’t consider it lightly.
I am reminded of God’s call on my life to tell the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ, sourced in Jesus and His inspired written Word.
I think Galatians 1 is an example to seek to hear directly from Jesus in His Word. Commentaries and devotionals are good. They encourage me and I read and listen to them. You are reading comments about Galatians 1 here in this Bible reading plan. I am helped from reading and listening to what others say about Jesus and the Bible, and am better for doing so. But like Paul, we can hear from Jesus directly in His Word and not just second hand from a commentary or devotional. Read and listen to devotionals and commentaries. But don’t allow them to be a total substitute from hearing Jesus directly through His Word.
What Psalm 108 said to me today was “Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, at all times Praise the Lord!” Why is He to be the center of our unbroken praise? Firstly, because He is worthy. He made us and all things around us. He is the Creator God. Secondly, we must realize that apart from Him we can do nothing. “With God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes.” Apart from this realization, we cannot be the conquerors He wants us to be. Our strength, our resolve, our victory are all through Him. Because of this, my heart is fixed, erect, steadfast. He is my Rock and my Salvation, and I know that “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Knowing this, I must “Praise the Lord” forever!
Today’s reading reminds me of the struggles on Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness. Our Sunday School class has been looking at Numbers 13-14 and how God was working to teach them over and over about how He wanted to lead them and teach them what it meant to be His people. They had an earlier skirmish with the Amalekites during which Moses had to hold his staff up over his head as they fought. Whenever he let it drop, the army would lose. Eventually Aaron and Hur came alongside Moses to help him keep his arms raised. This was a clear indication that this ragtag bunch of former slaves was not the fighting machine to get this done, but it was God fighting for them.
When presented with the first opportunity to enter the Promised Land, they balked at the negative report from 10 of the 12 spies. They seemed to overlook the fact that God was able to do what they feared they could not do on their own. Upon hearing their fate (40 years of wandering and the death of all the people over age 20), they decided to take the land after all. There was one little problem though: God was not blessing this endeavor and was not going with them into the fight. They were not acting out of true faith and obedience. They lost badly. They learned first hand the truth of the final verses of this psalm David would write years later.
There are so many things we are unable to do on our own. But we know The One who is able.
There are portions of Psalm 57 and 60 in Psalm 108. Psalm 108 gets to the uncertainty of our walk with God sometimes and helps us to know that those hard times are part and parcel of walking with God.
In Psalm 108, I paused at the first verse on the word “steadfast.” It’s a word I don’t use much. The Common English Bible (CEB) connects with me when it translates the Hebrew word “unwavering.” The New English Translation (NET) uses the word “determined.”
My take away is no matter what is happening in my life. No matter if things seem to be getting worse and harder as I continue to pray and trust God, I am unwavering and determined to continue to praise my God. He is the true God. There is no other help like His help.
There is this sense of I know where my help is. Where else am I going to go (Psalm 108:12-13)? Who else can help like the Lord God of the universe? God has spoken (Psalm 108:7). He will bring the victory (Psalm 108:7-10). Verses 7-8 are areas of Israel that God has given to them. Verses 9-10 are hostile countries opposed to God and His people.
Psalm 108:11 gets to the dilemma. I know God is God and there is no one like Him. No one. Yet, God where are you? Where’s your help? So, I continue to be unwavering and determined to trust you, Lord God. We will win because you are on our side and fighting for us (Psalm 108:1, 13).