(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 5:16-26, Galatians 6:1-6) Paul has already established that it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. However, Paul also wants to emphasize the point that freedom doesn’t mean we are free from responsibility, free from consequences, free to do whatever it is that our hearts desires. For Paul, freedom was never […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 5:1-15) 1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Paul writes to the Galatians that “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Isn’t this such a interesting statement? Perhaps some of […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 4:21-31) Abraham is the father of faith, because he believed in God’s promises. However, just like any person would, there were times of doubt in both Abraham and his wife Sarah’s minds as they were waiting for an offspring that could bring about God’s promises of a great nation. As Sarah passed childbearing […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 4:12-20) The thing that attracts me to Paul and his message, is that it is very straight-forward and laid out bare for all to see. Paul’s message, as he himself states, is 1 Corinthians 2:1-3 is clear, 1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 3:6-29, Galatians 4:1-11) 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” There is a children’s song called “Father Abraham.” The lyrics speak of Abraham being father of many sons: “Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham.” We may think of Abraham as the father […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 3:1-5) 1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 2:11-21) We are reminded today as Paul opposes Peter that it isn’t enough that Peter was a disciple of Jesus, a friend of Jesus, by Jesus’ side during His ministry on earth, if he doesn’t live out the Gospel in his daily life. Gospel living isn’t just about the content we share, or […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 1:18-24, Galatians 2:1-10) For us to believe is a revelation from the Holy Spirit through people, Scripture, and in Paul’s experience a direct encounter with Jesus Himself. What is the key isn’t the vehicle that God’s revelation comes to us, but rather that the Holy Spirit uncovers the lid for us to understand […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 1:11-17) 11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Revelation in the Greek means to uncover or unveil. It […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 1:1-10) As we read Paul’s letters in the New Testament, we must keep mind that Paul’s writings addressed different questions, issues, and challenges that the churches faced during his time. They were specific, problem solving, but also in God’s amazing and mysterious ways, transcend time and space. Although they are very personal letters […]