Galatians

With only six chapters in Galatians, we will quickly be through the book. Don't let the pace confuse the content. Remember, as we go through the "entire" Bible, pray - asking God "LORD, what would You reveal to me from Your Word today?" And don't let the introduction Paul presents in this first chapter undermine what God would reveal to you here. We tend to glance past the first few verses of a book's introduction where an author basically says "hello." But Paul never just says "hello." Paul presents the Gospel in his greeting. Paul uses his name in his introduction, but also a title: "apostle," and Who sent him: "Jesus Christ and God the Father," and what happened to Jesus "God the Father raised Him from the dead." Thats verse one, and he's not done saying hello. He notes there are some brothers with him, He acknowledges that he's writing to the church at Galatia, he wishes them grace and peace, and then again gives testimony to the life of Christ: "gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us," and tells us why Jesus did it: "according to the will of our God and Father," and finally gives honor to the LORD: "to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Well, hello, how do you do? There are only 19 verses left in Chapter one after that "hello." Ask God to reveal what among them He would have you to consider today - for yourself, or for someone else.

Paul seemingly rambles from a variety of topics in the first ten verses of chapter 2, but it is because he is responding to a specific series of event that caused considerable problems between Jewish and Gentile Christians. The entire book of Galatians is set up in the chapter here as we see the words Law, Justification, and Faith throughout. Peter had originally eaten meals with Gentile Christians, but when joined by Jewish Christians, who feared association with unclean/uncircumcised Gentiles, (who were not beholden to the laws of Moses), Peter (and Barnabas) ceased from eating with the Gentile Christians. It was for this reason Paul rightly rebuked Peter. We know from Acts 15:1,5 & 2 Peter 3:14-16 that Peter accepted this rebuke and acknowledged his error. It is critical that there are not multiple versions of the Gospel. Paul knew this and knew that the Jews were discriminating against the Gentiles who weren't upholding Mosaic Law. It was difficult to discard thousands of years of tradition, yet to retain their adherence to the law, they were in effect making Christ's death "of no effect." Paul does not tell us that we are to act without restrain, but that we are to live for God. The distinction between living "by the law" and "living free from the law by faith" - is Jesus Christ.

Paul starts this section with five rhetorical questions attacking the misconception of justification coming through adherence to the law. He is speaking to Jewish Christians who want Gentile converts to hold to the same standards they've held to for centuries. And while Paul moves in vv.6-13 from Genesis 15:6, to Genesis 12:3, to Deuteronomy 27:26, to Habakkuk 2:4, to Leviticus 18:5, to Deuteronomy 21:23 in a head spinning citation of "the law," he is making sure to emphasize that the law served a purpose "until it was fulfilled" in Christ. He ties faith in Christ to the promise God gave Abraham and fulfilled in Jesus. vv.24-26 tie this up perfectly. Certainly, we need guidance as immature followers of Christ. Through faith in Christ Jesus, by His Spirit, He gives us the freedom to walk in righteousness. But we must seek it.
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Paul continues to attack reliance on the law, detailing that before Christ came, humanity was held in bondage to the law, but through Christ, believers have been adopted as sons and daughters of God and are now heirs to the blessings of Salvation. He urges the Galatians not to return to the practices of the law but to continue to live in the freedom found in Christ. Hagar and Sarah illustrate the difference between living according to the flesh and living by faith. Hagar' son Ishmael, whose descendants represent modern day Arabian Muslims, is the result of not trusting in God's faithfulness. Sara's son Isaac, by whom all of God's covenant promises to Abraham were fulfilled, is the result of trust and faith in God.

In Galatians chapter 5, Paul stresses the importance of living a life guided by the Holy Spirit rather than by the desires of the flesh. How easy is it to be led by our fleshly desires?! He again warns against the dangers of legalism and encourages believers to love one another, bear one another's burdens, and walk in the Spirit. These are the marks of a disciple of Jesus. The fruits of the Spirit, (also evidence of the disciple of Christ) are listed here in vv.23-24 - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These verses are worthy of memorizing as you examine whether your own attitudes reflect that of one transformed by the Spirit of God. Paul contrasts these virtues with the works of the flesh, vv.19-21.

Paul is speaking with a specific kind of authority in this final chapter of Galatians. As you read it, examine yourselves and pray that God would grant you access to the same. Look first to the admonition he delivers in verse 6:1 - "Brothers, even if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." He doesn't allow for just anyone to administer restoration following transgression, but rather he specifically calls for one who is qualified to discern the truth of a repentant heart, without question. This is accomplished only by the "spiritual" person. Paul already defined this for us in the first letter he wrote to the church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 2:15 "The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone." Restoring a transgressor who repents of their sin, is to bear their burdens with them, and in so doing, fulfill the law of Christ (rather than the law Paul has been contrasting this with for the preceding five chapters). v.2 "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." There is a danger bracketed in verses 3-16 that Paul elaborates on as he wraps up this letter. But he makes the entire point in v.3. For the doubters, he adds 12 verses of clarification, but finally he labels it a rule with a blessing for those who walk in step with it in v.16. Pray for discernment as you read this closing chapter of Galatians. Pray that God would make you so aware of His will for your life that you devote yourself completely to it. Look for and embrace the paradox of "humility" that must accompany the "authority" of one called spiritual.