Tag: Galatians 3
Questions!
Scripture reading for August 19: Galatians 3
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain? Does He Who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith–just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness?” Galatians 3:1-6
In typical rabbinic style, Paul the former Pharisee seeks to bring correction to the world views of those in the Galatian church who had succumbed to the Jewish false teachers that sought to persuade them to return to keeping the law along with faith. Paul asked them a series of questions designed to get them to open their minds and hearts to the truth. Questions help those who are teachable to do a self-examination without putting up a wall of defense. Questions help with honest exploration of possible answers. Questions are a gentler way of confronting those who are deceived to enable them to decide for themselves to admit or confess their deception and thus find deliverance.
Paul’s “O foolish Galatians!” was a life-giving rebuke to help them realize how serious their doctrinal shift was. They had been ‘bewitched’ by an evil spirit that was trying to take them back to religion and good works as a means of salvation. Human effort to be good and keep the law of God will never bring us to righteousness and justification before God. These believers had already gone through suffering for their initial stand of faith for Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah. Paul questioned if their suffering had been in vain or for nothing. Paul’s final question concerned living by faith through the Spirit or if doing the works of the law brought righteousness. The answers to all the questions should have been obvious.
Have you ever been faced with questions concerning your doctrines or core beliefs on salvation? Have you ever had to change your stand and take a new view of God’s plan of salvation? Do you personally find questions as a good way to help you examine your own beliefs?
Prayer: Father God, thank you for asking us questions to open our hearts to receive correction and instruction. Help me to respectfully use questions to help those who may be involved in deception or false teaching. Thank You for the Holy Spirit of Truth that gives me wisdom and discernment. Amen.
Redeemed from the curse!
Scripture reading for August 18th: Galatians 3
Key scriptures for over-comers: Galatians 3:11-14 “Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written; “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”
Those that were under the law were also under the curses of the law found in Deuteronomy 28:16-68. These curses would overtake those who lived in sin by breaking God’s laws and commands. No one could be justified by the law, because no one could keep the law because of their sin natures. But Jesus Christ, Son of God, came to earth and was not tainted by a sin nature because of His virgin birth. He, through the Holy Spirit, perfectly obeyed God’s law and offered Himself to redeem sinful man from the curse of sin and resulting eternal death! Hallelujah! We are redeemed and marked by the Holy Spirit for eternal life!
Observations for over-comers: Living by faith in Jesus Christ is to live in freedom from the curse of sin and eternal death and shout the victory to all who will listen. “Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lords right hand has done mighty things! I will not die but live and will proclaim what the Lord has done.” (Psalm 118:15-17)
The curse of the law!
Scripture reading for August 19th: Galatians 3
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?” (Galatians 3:1-2)
False teachers had come to Galatia and told the church members that to be real Christians, they needed to keep certain parts of the Jewish law–particularly circumcision. Paul used the rabbinic technique of asking questions. He asked them to identify who it was that was ‘bewitching’ them. He asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit through keeping the law or by faith. The answer was obvious!
“All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Galatians 3:10-13)
Paul explained that the law brings a curse on all those seeking to keep it. It is the curse of sin and death that results from breaking God’s law for all have sinned! But Jesus Christ took the curse of death by taking our sins with Him to the cross! He was hung on that tree that we might believe on Him and be justified by faith! This is available to Jew and Gentile! Have you been redeemed from the curse of the law?