November 25, Galatians 4-6
Galatians continued… What does it mean to be free in Christ? To be led astray? To desire to obey God’s law but not Jesus? Let us learn today from the Apostle Paul
Galatians 4 Bakers Commentary for the summary and my takeaways below: “This chapter can be divided into three sections under the headings: Recapitulation (verses 1–11), Reminiscence (verses 12–20), and Reasoning by means of an Allegory (verses 21–31). In the first section Paul, in close connection with the preceding argument, points out the folly of exchanging one type of slavery for another. Judaistic bondage is not any better than paganistic. God sent his Son to redeem men from every type of spiritual slavery. He changed slaves into sons. Moreover, he sent the Spirit into their hearts in order that those who were sons in position might also be sons in disposition, for adoption implies transformation. Deliverance means freedom of access, so that the ransomed one cries out, “Abba!” (“Father!”).
In the next paragraph the apostle asks, “Where is now your former blessedness?” His affectionate concern for the Galatians reveals itself as he recalls the warm welcome with which they had received him at the occasion of their first meeting. How blessed had been the experiences then enjoyed, how unforgettable the fellowship! What a contrast between then and now. One is reminded of the lines:
“Where is the blessedness I knew
When first I sought the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus and his Word?
“What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.”
William Cowper
In the case of the Galatians the former blessedness had been lost because Paul’s earnest warnings had been left unheeded. The apostle exposes the motives of the enemies of the faith. They make much of the Galatians in order that the latter may make much of them. Now making much of someone is not wrong if it be in connection with a good cause. Thus, the fact that the Galatians had previously paid special attention to Paul, and, far from treating him with contemptuous scorn because of his bodily infirmity, had been willing, if necessary, to give him their most precious possession, was not wrong, because he proclaimed to them the gospel of salvation. Would that this interest in Paul and his gospel had continued! With sadness of heart Paul asks, “Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Do the Galatians not realize that his warnings and criticisms were for their own good? The apostle concludes this section by saying, “My dear children, for whom I am again suffering birth-pangs until Christ be formed in you, I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for I am perplexed about you.”
The chapter closes with a reminder—in the form of an allegory—that those who hear the law should take it to heart. When the Judaizers pride themselves in the fact that they are “sons of Abraham,” and the Galatians are influenced by this boast, let it be remembered that Abraham had two sons: one by the slave-woman, the other by the free-woman. Slavish law-observance, as if this were the pathway to salvation, makes one similar to Ishmael, slave-son of a slave-woman (Hagar). On the contrary, the exercise of one’s freedom in Christ, basing one’s trust in him alone, makes one a true son of Abraham, similar to the free-born son Isaac, born to the free-woman, Sarah.”
- We are no longer slaves to anything if we have Christ in us. He was sent to give us freedom. It is our choice to stay in sin and slavery (I am not referring at all to those who are forced into slavery, rather self-inflicted slavery). Christ came to redeem the law so that we are no longer slaves but heirs and receivers of God because of Jesus.
- The Galatians were being deceived & were no longer standing in the firm truths of Christ but going back to the weak and worthless principles that the world sells.
- True brotherly love reaches out to those who are slipping away from Christ.
- We are free because of Christ. Nothing else offers us that. Jesus, the mighty & powerful name of Jesus. Believe in Him.
Galatians 5 Bakers Commentary did this chapter a bit different and it is so encouraging. Such life application. They take each verse and sum it up in a thought. Bold is my writing and the rest is Bakers for the summary:
1. ”Freedom is a precious gift. It is also an immense responsibility.”
2. ”Christ is either our complete Savior or is not our Savior at all.”
Think about that one. I have said it before and I will say it again. Either you are all in for Christ or not in at all…
3. “Whoever would be saved by works must render perfect obedience to the whole law. Nothing less will do!”
If you want to be perfect by just obeying all the Commandments then you do not need Jesus. When you stand before God without Jesus, He will not accept you. Instead, accept the gift of Jesus Christ and live your life in pursuit of Him and being righteous like Him.
4. “Those who would be saved by their good works have lost their hold on grace. Nevertheless, it is grace alone that saves.”
5. “For the Christian it is true that “the best is yet to be.”
6. “Faith without love is not true faith.”
Jesus teaches us that the world will know we are Christians by our love. Are you loving your neighbors and the rest?
7. “Excelsior” is the Christian’s motto. He should allow no one to throw him off this course.”
8. “Consider the source!” whenever anyone urges you to do that which is morally or spiritually questionable.”
I couldn't agree more. Just because someone spouts something off does not mean that they are 100% correct. Check it with Jesus and see if it is true.
9. “An evil intention, if unchecked, leads to a shameful deed. A shameful deed, if unrepented of, becomes a bad habit. A bad habit, if not discarded, will grow into a depraved character, which, in turn, leads to perdition.”
10. “Showing that you have confidence in a person, if you are at all able to do this with candor, is excellent psychology.”
11. “The devil does not persecute those whom he already has captured.”
Read that one again. If you are experiencing spiritual battles - it is not because God doesn't love you or anything of the sort. If you are pushing back the kingdom of darkness, Satan will be pushing you. This is a good thing. When you are experiencing these battles, lean on Jesus and don't take your eyes off of Him.
12. “Are we becoming so selfish that our cheeks no longer glow with indignation when harm is being done to those whom, supposedly, we love?”
What has our world become? The world celebrate sin. The world throw parades for sin. The world does not love Jesus but sin. Which team are you on?
13. “True liberty is not the privilege to do whatever one’s evil heart desires to do, but is the Spirit-imparted ability and desire to do what one should do.”
Amen!
14. “The Christian’s law is love.”
15. “Bitter (= biting) words harm the biter as well as the one bitten. They tend to destroy the fellowship.”
16. “Overcome evil with good.”
17. “Satan has a “fifth column” in our hearts. But the Holy Spirit also resides there. Hence, the conflict!”
18. “A person enjoys true freedom when the Holy Spirit has taken the helm of the ship which bears him over the troubled sea of life.”
19. “What today is often called “sickness” is by Scripture called “obvious work of the flesh.”
Let’s think about that one. When you are pursuing sinful and fleshful desires, they reap massive consequence. All sin leads to death.
20. “We should practice self-denial, not self-indulgence.”
Ah yes. This Scripture cuts right to the heart of the matter. These are the works of the flesh and Satan makes them so tempting to so many. This is what the world wants - and all of them on this list are 100% selfish… “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” You would have to admit that none of these reflect Christ or who He is calling you to be.
21. “Private” sins, such as jealousy and envy, are not any better than “public” sins, such as drinking bouts and revelries.”
22. “Love heads the list of virtues.”
23. “The true Christian is loyal to his God, gentle to his neighbor, and has himself under control, all this as the result of God’s grace.”
24. “Be in practice what you are (have confessed to be) in principle!”
Otherwise you are a hypocrite and are not walking the walk.
25. “You derive all your strength from the Spirit. Then let the Spirit lead you in every phase of your life and conduct.”
Where do you draw your strength from? Jesus Christ and the Spirit or ???
26. “Rude self-assertion is displeasing to the Lord.”
Galatians 6 Bakers Commentary for the summary, same as chapter 5…
- “Restore lovingly those who were caught in temptation’s net.”
Do it with tact and respect but with the intent and heart of truly loving your brother or sister.
2. “Burdens must be shouldered jointly.”
It is a team effort.
3. “Be conceited and be cheated!”
4. “He who mirrors himself in the mirror of another person’s conduct mirrors himself gently.”
Surround yourself with quality people. An old saying I once heard - ‘You become the average of the 5 people closest to you’ - who is in your inner circle? Good people or worldly people?
5. “Responsibility’s load cannot be transferred.”
It is a team effort but at the end of the day, it is on your own that you stand before Christ.
6. “Provide well for God’s servant, the minister.”
Take care of God’s servants.
7. “Those who sow weeds must not expect to reap wheat.”
Makes sense, doesn't it? Logically… and spiritually.
8.“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is life everlasting in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
9. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”
10. “Love overleaps—yet also recognizes—boundaries.”
Another often violated principle
11. “Do not soft-pedal the gospel.”
12. “Beware of compromising when principles are at stake.”
13. “Practice what you preach.”
YES!
14. “The cross of Christ: our only glory.”
And there is none better
15. “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”
16. “This (No. 15) is the Rule of Gratitude for every Christian.”
17. “Do not trouble those who bear the marks of Jesus, but help them in every way.”
18. “The man who preaches “Salvation through Imitation” forgets that it even takes grace to imitate.”
To sum it all up:
- See above for my takeaways… Blessings to you in the powerful name of Jesus Christ!
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