Water and Oil Don't Mix

Have you ever tried to mix oil and water? Not gonna happen. We saw that in the recent oil spill in the Gulf. The oil washed to the shore. It did not mix with the ocean water. Some things just don't mix. Well, false teaching and the Gospel don't mix either. There is ONE gospel - the gospel of Christ. That's it. That's all you need. Verse 8 of chapter 1 states that not even an angel preaching another gospel is acceptable. In verses 11-16, Paul shared how he knew from experience the zeal that comes from the traditions of men. That zeal for him came from the accolades of man - they thought he was great for killing Christians. We love it when people love us, don't we? But something happens when God separates us from the world. When He calls us "by His grace" (verse 15) a shift happens. In verse 16, Paul says of his experience that "immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood". Man feeds something in us that isn't God. Man feeds the flesh, the "ego". There are times in our lives when we, too, must not confer with flesh and blood. Flesh and blood usually steers us the wrong way. But God, will steer us His way - the right way. Interesting scripture I found the other day. In John 2:23-25, Jesus steered away from flesh and blood. It says that many believed in Him after seeing all the signs he did. But, Jesus, "didn't commit Himself to them, because He knew all men. and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man". You don't need man to affirm you. You are affirmed by God and that's more than good enough! Should we not confer with anyone then? No. The Bible says there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors. Just be sure your counselors are submitted to God, seeking God on your behalf and giving Godly advise based on scripture. Anything else - toss.

Chapter One - EVIL

Go ahead and read the first chapter of Galatians. Love, love, love verse 4, Jesus giving Himself for our sin was meant to deliver us from the present evil age. Now that was written a long time ago when things weren't so evil. UHHH. Things have always been evil - since the fall of Adam. Ecclesiastes says there is nothing new under the sun. So there you go. The Bible is as relevant today as it has been since it was written (and before). "Deliver us from evil" - you've heard that in the Lord's prayer. This "age" of evil will not be over until Jesus comes again. God did not want to leave us in the state of being controlled by evil. This "evil age" has man steeped in evil and miserable in it. Man is literally controlled by it and no law is going to fix that. So, Paul addresses the saved Galatians and admonishes them for turning away from the amazing grace and following "another gospel". In verse 10, Paul realizes his message will not please men. Why? Because of self righteousness. That is a righteousness (or right standing with God) based on good works. It swells the ego and glorifies man. Not good. Not good at all. This revelation Paul preached came from Jesus. The law is not the way to heaven or to the way to a happy, full life. Lawgivers don't like that message - too bad!

Free from Works

Have you heard that you need to do good works to get to heaven? How many - three, four? Only one? The Gospel (good news in the Bible) is a gospel not of works, but of faith. Faith in what Christ did on the cross to free us from the bondage of sin. What sin is the one that keeps you from going to heaven? Murder or a "white" lie. Both of them! The "sins" aren't the issue as much as the issue of sin - is the issue. The fact is is that everyone is born into sin. Psalm 51:5 says, "Behold I was shapen in iniquity. and in sin did my mother conceive me" (KJV). Read Romans 5:12. It says that through Adam's sin, death by sin entered the world and thus was passed on to all men. That would be you - and me - and your kid (cute as she is). Good works are not going to fix this. Much as our egos feel enlarged when we do good works - they won't get you to heaven. Sorry! But keep on with those good works. there are rewards in heaven to be had!!! But the sin issue can only be dealt with by accepting the great work Jesus did. He laid down His life for you. Yep -a good work that saved the world. Okay, I stand corrected, there was one good work - but Jesus got that one. It was the only one. You can have the benefit, though, from that good work. Ask Jesus into your heart today. He will (and has) forgiven your sin. That's gospel.

Personal Attacks

Paul was a tough guy. He was steadfast in his call from God and in his intention on preaching the Gospel. People like that get attacked. The people in Galatia attacked him personally for his stance. Good for you, Paul, for standing firm. If someone hasn't disagreed with you at some point in life, you haven't lived - the Christian life. Sadly, with the factions inside of Christianity itself, it is sometimes hard to preach the gospel. People can be critical, hateful, gossips. WOW! Who needs enemies? But let's get back to the Book. Again, we must listen to the "still small voice" of the Holy Spirit, our teacher and guide, to press forward in what God has called each of us to do. We must be "led by the Spirit" and be about our Father's business - and out of other's business. OOPS! I digress.....again. Paul said of those who opposed him that they were trouble-makers and distorters of the Gospel (Galatians 1:7), people pleasers (Galatians 1:10) and false brethren (Galatians 2:4). Ouch! Harsh words to "devout" people. He defends the gospel with a passion. Why? It's good news! Freedom in Christ is good! Don't let people with their own agendas put you back in the bondage of hate, gossip and strife. Don't let people put you under the law. That's the old you! You are a new creation in Christ! Learn it and live it! Where are the Paul's today?

Unhappy Lawgivers

Have you ever known someone so full of laws (for themselves and others) that they seem kind of miserable? Sometimes it comes from traditions and traditions are hard to break. Jesus broke tradition!!! He set tradition on it's ear and got crucified for it (but He rose again!). Anyone, not just Christians, can put others under a law. Sometimes, laws when used to control behavior, are the ones we want to break! How do we fix this??? More laws? No! Freedom from laws! What? That can't be right. Yes. That's actually God's idea....... and He's always right. The Jews in Galatia struggled with the idea of this freedom. It's hard for our brains to wrap around the idea that my heart, if submitted to God, will guide me. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to actually live inside of us to help us live this life. I never heard much about the Holy Spirit when I was young, but He is the third Person of the Godhead and a must have to successfully live life - the life God has for you. Remember - God's life for you is GOOD! Let His Word richly dwell in you and you will do the right thing. That's freedom!

First Bite

Hi. So glad you are taking this journey with me through the book of Galatians. God's Word is THE manual for life. It is life itself. John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." The" begotten" there is Jesus Himself - the Son of God. God's Word (the Bible) is alive! It's full of truths to live life. This world needs some truth, wouldn't you agree? Well. God's Word is truth. I know for me, it is the foundation on which I have built my life. God has been so good to me, and desires good for you. One wonderful thing that happens when you become born again and ask Jesus into your life, you enter into God's grace. God, in the Old Testament, gave man the Law. the 10 commandments, for man to live by. But, in trying to live by these laws, man constantly failed. So, through Christ, God takes the law and writes it in our heart. That means that it's easier to live when we are motivated from within instead of controlled from a law. If our hearts are right, we will do the right thing. God is pretty smart! The churches in Galatia, to whom this letter is written, were struggling with the temptation to get back under the law. Paul is trying to remind them of the freedom they have in Christ. This is the main theme of this book!