Greeting brother and sisters,
Galatians 6 offers many closing comments and exhortations. Believers in the body of Christ are to keep an eye on each other (and themselves), restore each other, bear each other's burdens, and bear fruit that comes from the Spirit.
The memory passage for chapter 6 is
Galatians 6:1-2, 8-9, 14 (ESV)
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
The outline theme is The Gospel Bears Burdens and Fruit
Verses 1 and 2 offer a succinct outline for dealing with brothers or sisters who are 'caught in' sin. While there is some debate as to the interpretation of 'caught in', the bottom line is clear; sin in the life of a brother or sister has become evident, and the first response of 'those who are spiritual' should be to help restore the person. I get the impression (from those much smarter than me) that this sin would not be in the category of wicked, wanton rebellion and rejection of God and the church. It seems that these sins are the 'lesser sins of weakness' (Luther) that cause us to trip in our walk with the Lord. There are other passages in the Scriptures for exerting church discipline for more egregious offenses.
The following warning belongs in the same breath as the previous exhortation; 'as you're walking with the brother, don't let yourself be tempted in their sin or your own weakness'. This could manifest in pride, arrogance, legalism, or any other vice that lies at the knife-edge of the flesh/Spirit conflict. There are burdens we are not meant to (and cannot) bear alone. We have a ministry and responsibility to 'one another' to obey Christ and work together.
While at a cursory glance the next section may seem to contradict the previous statement, it is clear that it simply clarifies and augments the principles already laid out. Verse 3 is a statement that encourages humility; not a low opinion of one's self, but a right one. Don't compare yourself or your own growth to anyone else. We each have a burden the we MUST bear on our own; the burden of Christ. While He promises that it is light and easy (Matt 11:30), it is still our cross to bear. In our growth to be more like Christ, our's is to walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), cast of works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Rom 13:12), deny ourselves and take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23), be submissive as slaves of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1) and so on. We have a responsibility to faithfulness and obedience for we will each stand before Christ to give an account of our own actions.
While there are some widely-applicable principles in the next few verses, the original purpose appears to be the support of those in full-time ministry. 'Sharing all good things' is described as 'sowing to the Spirit' for eternal reward by blessing and supporting ministers. Selfishness concerning support of 'one who teaches' is condemned as 'sowing to the flesh'. But sowing to the flesh in any context leads to corruption; just as sowing to the Spirit leads to treasures in heaven.
What a simple plea; 'let us not grow weary of doing good'. To all people, and especially to those in the body of Christ, doing good is a good thing. Sowing good blessings to people will also reap eternal reward.
Paul's personal closing begins with another condemnation of the Judaizers. In order to look good in front of others, some people want you to be circumcised. By adding this to the cross, they avoid having to share in the suffering of Christ and can boast to others that they won you.
Verse 14 clears it up; 'But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.' There is nothing to add to the cross, and we can stand on nothing else. The world and its ways are dead to me, and I am dead to its ways. The life I now live on this earth, I live by faith in the Son of God (2:20), for I am a new creation that does not depend on circumcision or anything of the flesh.
How does this affect my worship?
Where we put our boast matters greatly. If we boast, actively or passively, in anything but the LORD, it is empty, worthless and wasted. Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD and His work on the cross that bought us redemption, adoption and glorification. In worship, may my boast be only from Him, through Him, and to Him.
How does this affect my discipleship?
Verses 1-5 describe the essentialness of relationships in discipleship. What better way to enact this restoration than in a network of intertwined disciples. If the body of Christ is active in disciple-making, there will eventually be so many interwoven (knit) relationships in the church that the process of confrontation, admonition, exhortation and restoration will occur more naturally and more effectively. There are burdens we all must bear ourselves (our cross, our obedience, our walk, etc) but there are many we are to bear together in the body of Christ. It's no surprise that a result of obeying His command to make disciples leads to more effective working of the body.
May you walk in obedience to the Greatest Commands and the Great Commission.
Ethan
Friday, March 30, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Galatians 5
Grace to you and peace,
In Galatians chapter 5, Paul deals with freedom and fruit; who we are in Christ and how that should (or should not) be reflected in our lives.
The memory passage for chapter 5 is
Galatians 5:1,16,22-24 (ESV)
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
The outline theme is the Gospel of Freedom and Fruit
One of the main themes is stated in the first sentence, ‘For freedom Christ has set us free’. Free from what? It seems that some of the believers were enslaving themselves back into a form of Judaism or other legalistic practice that was contrary to their freedom in Christ. Paul’s firm rebuke of them included phrases like ‘severed from Christ’ and ‘fallen from grace’. There is no advantage to circumcision (Judaism) or anything else that you try to add to Christ. Only through the Spirit, by faith, do we have access to the true righteousness (5) which works itself out through love.
Even if they were ‘running well’ in their Christian faith, someone was allowed in to derail their growth. While Paul, or anyone else, could not fully punish these false teachers, we are assured that God will.
Verses 11 and 12 are convicting. The offense of the cross of Christ is by nature a stumbling block (GK ‘skandalon’) to unbelievers. It creates a clear line between those who trust and follow Christ and those who do not. It practically invites persecution and opposition, just as Jesus Himself did. Where Paul to mix in some Judaism or anything else (for concession), it might lessen the persecution but would betray Christ. “So, for those of you who think that you can add to the cross by circumcision, wouldn’t it follow naturally that castration would add even more?” I wonder if there were any takers on this line of reason.
The source of our freedom is Christ, but the outlet for our freedom is serving others. Freedom in Christ is not license for the flesh, but the conduit for obedience to the heart of the law; ‘love your neighbor as yourself’.
The second main theme begins in verse 16; ‘walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.’ Paul skillfully contrasts the workings of the Spirit versus the nature of the flesh. They are constantly opposed to each other at the deepest level; one to enslave us in sin, the Other to free us through sanctification.
The following list containing the works of the flesh include sexual, religious, societal, and social sins. Paul covers his list with the blanket of inclusion, ‘and things like these’, to avoid justification for a sin not specifically mentioned. The truth is that the works of the flesh are evident, or obvious. The warning is the same as in 1 Cor 6; ‘those who practice these will not inherit the kingdom of God’.
The next few verses speak for themselves;
Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
How does this affect my worship?
Worship, whether leading or participating, can easily become more about me and less about Him. The desire of the flesh is to draw attention to ourselves; how talented I am, how well I sing, how much I ‘really mean it’, or how I get into it. Works of worship that do not glorify God and God only are works by the flesh, for the flesh. I feel like a CD stuck on repeat (broken record for those of you older than 30 J) but the only true expression of worship MUST come from God. Only walking in the Spirit, yielding to His guidance and relying on His power, can we truly offer a worthy sacrifice of praise.
How does this affect my discipleship?
My form or system must not be ‘added to’ the cross as I disciple others. God may use a form or system as a tool, but that is not the source or the measure of a disciple’s growth. Only He changes a heart, and only He grows us in maturity. Lord, please help me never rely on or hold tightly to a system or form that adds to ‘Christ and Him crucified’.
May you walk more in the Spirit and less in the flesh today,
Ethan
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Galatians 4
Greetings friends,
In chapter 4, Paul concerns us with the issue of valuing our position in Christ. Using comparing and contrasting, he drives home the concept of our adoption by God through Christ.
The memory passage is
Galatians 4:4-7,9,31 (ESV)
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
The Outline theme is the Gospel of Adoption as Sons.
In the first seven verses, Paul contrasts the standing of a slave and a son. The child and the slave have similar lives when they are young, even though the child is the 'owner of everything', or at least will be. The child's father put guardians and managers over the child until the right time (we were children like this at one time also). But, at the right time, God redeemed us through Christ and adopted us as sons. With that new standing we receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts and the hope of an inheritance from God in heaven.
Paul reminds us in the middle of that section that we have 'Daddy' access to God because we are now sons and not slaves. Abba! is the Aramaic word for 'Father', but it is in the diminutive form as used by small children addressing their fathers.
Beginning in verse 8, Paul changes tone. "If you know this, why are you trying to enslave yourself under any other principle? You are free from worldly religions and the Law because of you standing in Christ. Was my labor all for not? I know you received the Gospel when I was with you, for you immediately showed fruit by accepting and caring for me. Now it appears that some false teachers have come in and tried to affect you and the truth you know. It would be better if I was with you now, because your actions thoroughly perplex me."
Verse 21 initiates a long discourse on our position using an historical example; the sons of Abraham through Hagar and Sarah. "Ok, if you want to be under the law, you had better pay close attention to what it says!" First, he covers the facts; Abraham's son born of the flesh (human effort) through Hagar was Ishmael, and his son born of the promise (God's effort) through Sarah was Isaac.
Then Paul moves to a level of interpretation about these facts. He writes that these mothers and sons can be considered allegorically; as covenants. Hagar represents the covenant given to Moses at Mount Sinai (the Law) that enslaved the people under sin (3:22). Sarah represents the covenant given to Abraham (and us through faith) and is seen as the 'Jerusalem from above [that is] free' (26).
As followers of Christ, we (along with the Galatian believers) are not children of the slave but children of the promise (Rom 9:8) and are counted as offspring. And if sons, then heirs through God (7).
How does this affect my worship?
I was struck by verse 9. Even though these believers had heard, received and acted on the true Gospel, they still were easily persuaded to add back in things from their past or things from the Law. It's as though they were freed from prison but were now standing at the gate wanting to get back in. My first reaction to them is 'RUN'!!! But then I think about how I do the same thing. I constantly am trying to 'perfect myself in the flesh' and enslave myself under some other law. And that takes my focus off of Him and puts it squarely on me. That affects my worship. Lord, please show me mercy when I turn back again to the flesh. Please guide me back into Your truth and Your Gospel so that I don't enslave myself to anything buy You.
How does this affect my discipleship?
Even Paul was perplexed by those he discipled at times. How do I balance grace and love and acceptance with the need to (sometimes sternly) correct sin and disobedience? It happens. You teach and train someone in the truth (as He has given it to you) and sometimes the things that you hear out of their mouths don't sound like what you put in! Was it in vain! Or is the work still ongoing? I must remember that I am still ongoing, too. And the things that come out of my mouth don't always sound like the stuff He put in. Lord, please help me be a better disciple as I try to make disciples. Thank you for never giving up on me.
May you walk today as sons and not slaves,
Ethan
In chapter 4, Paul concerns us with the issue of valuing our position in Christ. Using comparing and contrasting, he drives home the concept of our adoption by God through Christ.
The memory passage is
Galatians 4:4-7,9,31 (ESV)
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
The Outline theme is the Gospel of Adoption as Sons.
In the first seven verses, Paul contrasts the standing of a slave and a son. The child and the slave have similar lives when they are young, even though the child is the 'owner of everything', or at least will be. The child's father put guardians and managers over the child until the right time (we were children like this at one time also). But, at the right time, God redeemed us through Christ and adopted us as sons. With that new standing we receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts and the hope of an inheritance from God in heaven.
Paul reminds us in the middle of that section that we have 'Daddy' access to God because we are now sons and not slaves. Abba! is the Aramaic word for 'Father', but it is in the diminutive form as used by small children addressing their fathers.
Beginning in verse 8, Paul changes tone. "If you know this, why are you trying to enslave yourself under any other principle? You are free from worldly religions and the Law because of you standing in Christ. Was my labor all for not? I know you received the Gospel when I was with you, for you immediately showed fruit by accepting and caring for me. Now it appears that some false teachers have come in and tried to affect you and the truth you know. It would be better if I was with you now, because your actions thoroughly perplex me."
Verse 21 initiates a long discourse on our position using an historical example; the sons of Abraham through Hagar and Sarah. "Ok, if you want to be under the law, you had better pay close attention to what it says!" First, he covers the facts; Abraham's son born of the flesh (human effort) through Hagar was Ishmael, and his son born of the promise (God's effort) through Sarah was Isaac.
Then Paul moves to a level of interpretation about these facts. He writes that these mothers and sons can be considered allegorically; as covenants. Hagar represents the covenant given to Moses at Mount Sinai (the Law) that enslaved the people under sin (3:22). Sarah represents the covenant given to Abraham (and us through faith) and is seen as the 'Jerusalem from above [that is] free' (26).
As followers of Christ, we (along with the Galatian believers) are not children of the slave but children of the promise (Rom 9:8) and are counted as offspring. And if sons, then heirs through God (7).
How does this affect my worship?
I was struck by verse 9. Even though these believers had heard, received and acted on the true Gospel, they still were easily persuaded to add back in things from their past or things from the Law. It's as though they were freed from prison but were now standing at the gate wanting to get back in. My first reaction to them is 'RUN'!!! But then I think about how I do the same thing. I constantly am trying to 'perfect myself in the flesh' and enslave myself under some other law. And that takes my focus off of Him and puts it squarely on me. That affects my worship. Lord, please show me mercy when I turn back again to the flesh. Please guide me back into Your truth and Your Gospel so that I don't enslave myself to anything buy You.
How does this affect my discipleship?
Even Paul was perplexed by those he discipled at times. How do I balance grace and love and acceptance with the need to (sometimes sternly) correct sin and disobedience? It happens. You teach and train someone in the truth (as He has given it to you) and sometimes the things that you hear out of their mouths don't sound like what you put in! Was it in vain! Or is the work still ongoing? I must remember that I am still ongoing, too. And the things that come out of my mouth don't always sound like the stuff He put in. Lord, please help me be a better disciple as I try to make disciples. Thank you for never giving up on me.
May you walk today as sons and not slaves,
Ethan
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Galatians 3
Grace and peace in the name of Christ,
One of the first commentaries I read on Galatians mentioned that it is considered to be the 'first draft' of Romans. After only half of the book, I can clearly see what would lead a person to that observation. I have found many themes and theological threads that are common between the two.
The memory passage for Galatians 3 is
Galatians 3:2,3,11,22 (ESV)
2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."
22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
The Outline theme is "The Gospel of Faith, not Law"
Paul begins the section by directly confronting the foolishness of his readers. After his first statement, focusing the conversation always on the cross, Paul asks a series of four questions in the next four verses.
1) How did you receive the Spirit? 2) Who is sanctifying (perfecting) you? 3) Did you suffer in vain? 4) How does God perform miracles?
Through these rhetorical questions, Paul is making the point that they began by faith in Christ, Who promised them Holy Spirit to sanctify them through persecution and empower them through the work of the kingdom.
In vv 6-9 we find a theme from Romans 4 and 9. True righteousness is through faith (the faith of Abraham) and if we share in Abraham's faith we become children of God (by adoption).
The next section (vv 10-14) centers around a quote from Habakkuk 2:4. Other than in 3:11, this quote is also found in Romans 1:17 and Hebrews 10:38. "The righteous shall live by faith". Gaining the righteousness of God can not be by our own works but only through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul reminds them (knowing full-well from his previous service in Judaism) that if one holds to the law for righteousness he had better do it all and do it perfectly. Any disobedience brings about the curse of the law. The Law perfectly set the stage for grace. Our faith in Christ opens us to the blessing of Abraham (through faith) and the promised Holy Spirit.
Verses 15-18 can be summarized this way; "As man-made covenants are not changed mid-stream, so God's promise to Abraham was not changed or abolished with the coming of the law. The law served to train and discipline God's people until Christ came and fulfilled the promise for us.
What is the purpose of the law then? Because of sin (made clear by the law) the promise could only be fulfilled through the grace of Christ. The law was a parent to Israel, a prison guard, to train in righteousness, maintain order, and point to the Messiah. But for those who are 'baptized into Christ' (26) through faith , the promise is 'given to those who believe' (22).
In Christ, there is no priority or standing for anyone. While there may be distinctions in roles, there are no levels of superiority in the body of Christ.
And since we 'put on Christ' (27) and are 'one in Christ' (28), we are heirs to the promise as Abraham's offspring (29).
How does this affect my worship?
Romans 11:36 rings in my heart; "for from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things". My salvation, my sanctification, and my sacrifice of praise all start with Him. Any other approach would be as (or more) foolish than that of the Galatians. Having been called, trained, disciplined and matured in worship by the work of Holy Spirit, am I now supposed to take over?
"To Him (because it's from Him and through Him) be the glory forever".
How does this affect my discipleship?
In a way, He uses us as instruments to extend His promise to others. If someone, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, receives salvation and receives Holy Spirit, they are now recipients of the promise (through faith) made to Abraham. It's His promise, it's His calling and drawing of the sinner, and it's His glory; but He lets us be a part of it through evangelism and discipleship. What a tremendous privilege. What a mountainous responsibility. But...
"I am with you always, to the end of the age".
May you live by faith in Christ today,
Ethan
One of the first commentaries I read on Galatians mentioned that it is considered to be the 'first draft' of Romans. After only half of the book, I can clearly see what would lead a person to that observation. I have found many themes and theological threads that are common between the two.
The memory passage for Galatians 3 is
Galatians 3:2,3,11,22 (ESV)
2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."
22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
The Outline theme is "The Gospel of Faith, not Law"
Paul begins the section by directly confronting the foolishness of his readers. After his first statement, focusing the conversation always on the cross, Paul asks a series of four questions in the next four verses.
1) How did you receive the Spirit? 2) Who is sanctifying (perfecting) you? 3) Did you suffer in vain? 4) How does God perform miracles?
Through these rhetorical questions, Paul is making the point that they began by faith in Christ, Who promised them Holy Spirit to sanctify them through persecution and empower them through the work of the kingdom.
In vv 6-9 we find a theme from Romans 4 and 9. True righteousness is through faith (the faith of Abraham) and if we share in Abraham's faith we become children of God (by adoption).
The next section (vv 10-14) centers around a quote from Habakkuk 2:4. Other than in 3:11, this quote is also found in Romans 1:17 and Hebrews 10:38. "The righteous shall live by faith". Gaining the righteousness of God can not be by our own works but only through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul reminds them (knowing full-well from his previous service in Judaism) that if one holds to the law for righteousness he had better do it all and do it perfectly. Any disobedience brings about the curse of the law. The Law perfectly set the stage for grace. Our faith in Christ opens us to the blessing of Abraham (through faith) and the promised Holy Spirit.
Verses 15-18 can be summarized this way; "As man-made covenants are not changed mid-stream, so God's promise to Abraham was not changed or abolished with the coming of the law. The law served to train and discipline God's people until Christ came and fulfilled the promise for us.
What is the purpose of the law then? Because of sin (made clear by the law) the promise could only be fulfilled through the grace of Christ. The law was a parent to Israel, a prison guard, to train in righteousness, maintain order, and point to the Messiah. But for those who are 'baptized into Christ' (26) through faith , the promise is 'given to those who believe' (22).
In Christ, there is no priority or standing for anyone. While there may be distinctions in roles, there are no levels of superiority in the body of Christ.
And since we 'put on Christ' (27) and are 'one in Christ' (28), we are heirs to the promise as Abraham's offspring (29).
How does this affect my worship?
Romans 11:36 rings in my heart; "for from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things". My salvation, my sanctification, and my sacrifice of praise all start with Him. Any other approach would be as (or more) foolish than that of the Galatians. Having been called, trained, disciplined and matured in worship by the work of Holy Spirit, am I now supposed to take over?
"To Him (because it's from Him and through Him) be the glory forever".
How does this affect my discipleship?
In a way, He uses us as instruments to extend His promise to others. If someone, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, receives salvation and receives Holy Spirit, they are now recipients of the promise (through faith) made to Abraham. It's His promise, it's His calling and drawing of the sinner, and it's His glory; but He lets us be a part of it through evangelism and discipleship. What a tremendous privilege. What a mountainous responsibility. But...
"I am with you always, to the end of the age".
May you live by faith in Christ today,
Ethan
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