September 14, 2016
The apostle Paul wrote to correct those who had fallen prey to the “gospel” of the Judaizers, who insisted that new believers had to follow all the laws of Moses. He challenged them not to desert the “grace of Christ” revealed in the true gospel. Every generation must face a similar challenge. For every generation is faced with those who would add to or subtract from the gospel, proposing a “different gospel,” as if there could be another. But there is only one true gospel. Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. If you will confess Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved (Rom. 10:9). This is the only gospel.
September 21, 2015
Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith! As the Lord spoke through the prophet Haggai, “Be strong, do the work, and do not fear.” Trust God, do the work and leave the results up to God. Focus on being faithful, not being successful.
September 18, 2015
The word “tutor” is from the Greek word from which is derived the English word, “pedagogue.” During the 1st Century, wealthy persons would hire a servant to tutor their children, preparing them for adult life. After graduation they were no longer under the tutor. In the same manner, the law is “our tutor,” showing us right from wrong, and teaching us that we are sinners unable to fully follow God’s righteous commands. This reveals to us our need for a Savior. The law does not save, it only instructs. And points us to Jesus. Jesus saves. Our diploma for heaven is not received from following the law, but from trusting in Christ, who has fulfilled the law on our behalf.
September 15, 2015
Paul was concerned that the Christians at Galatia, who had received salvation by faith in Christ, were exchanging their faith for a focus on law-keeping. Those saved by faith are to live by faith, not by works. Yet this tendency still befalls many believers today. We recognize our sin and total dependence on Jesus for salvation, but then try to live the Christian life in our own strength. A focus on law-keeping leads to self-righteousness, pride and an inordinate comparing of ourselves to others. Living by faith in Jesus, we work, but we do so only according to Christ’s power. We work out what God is working in us (Phil.2:12-13). Our righteousness is us in Christ. And our life is Christ in us.
September 20, 2014
We are to be like executioners, dealing cruelly with our own sin. When we see sin in others, we do not hesitate to judge, assigning it to their character. Yet, when we see it in ourselves, we make excuses for it, claiming some external cause or momentary lapse. Or we go the opposite way, and make sin our identity, calling ourselves by sin’s name (thief, liar, adulterer, addict, murderer…). Neither our tendency to condemn sin in others, nor to excuse or identify with it in ourselves is right. Those “who belong to Christ” count their sin nature dead with Christ, so that they might live in Christ. Counting sin dead, it is not excused, nor is it allowed to live and become our identity. Our identity is in Christ!
September 18, 2014
Receiving Jesus we are prompted to call God by the name His Son uses, “Abba, Father.” Abba (Aramaic for “daddy.” Two simple syllables easily spoken by the youngest child- “Ab-ba.” Found in Ab-raham’s name – “Father of Nations”). In this verse we see the Trinity revealed: God sending, the Son providing, the Spirit prompting… all so that we who are distant from God may be brought near. And so, we are able to pray, “Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.”
September 16, 2014
Christianity is not a self-improvement course. We are not called to come and do, but to come and die. For the new life follows not self-improvement, but self-denial. We consider our old self “crucified with Christ” and our new self risen with Him to new life. We die to sin and we also die to self-effort, no longer trying to please God by following some set of religious rules and regulations that we are unable to keep. Dying to self, we live by Christ, “trusting” in Him to live His life in us.
September 15, 2014
Paul was concerned that the Christians at Galatia, who had received salvation by faith in Christ, were exchanging their faith for a focus on law-keeping. Those saved by faith are to live by faith, not by works. Yet this tendency still befalls many believers today. We recognize our sin and total dependence on Jesus for salvation, but then try to live the Christian life in our own strength. A focus on law-keeping leads to self-righteousness, pride and an inordinate comparing of ourselves to others. Living by faith in Jesus, we work, but we do so only according to Christ’s power. We work out what God is working in us (Phil.2:12-13). Our righteousness is us in Christ. And our life is Christ in us.
September 14, 2014
When Paul encountered the living Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, it began his transformation from persecutor to preacher. The life of Paul is one of the great proofs of Christ’s resurrection and power. Paul’s life demonstrates that no one is beyond God’s salvation and calling. God calls whom He will. Therefore, pray for the salvation of everyone. The one persecuting Christians today, could be preaching for Christ tomorrow.
September 21, 2013
Do not dig up in doubt what you planted in faith! As the Apostle Paul said, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). Or as the Lord told Haggai, “Be strong, do the work, and do not fear,” and leave the results up to God!