December 1, 2005
Read Galatians 1
In Today's
Only one Gospel; Paul's rebuke of Peter; justification by faith — not the Law; the Law — our guide to Christ
This letter forever settles the fact that there is only one way to avoid eternal hell and be assured of eternal life in heaven for both Jew and Gentile. Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father (Galatians 1:3-4).
We are reminded that no one deserves or earns the right to heaven by keeping the Law. We can only be justified by the faith of (in) Christ, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh (no one) be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid (2:16-17).
The full meaning of God's grace and undeserved loving-kindness was revealed when Jesus died on the cross for our sins that we might be delivered from our sin and eventually enter heaven to be with Him.
Since no one except Christ has the ability to keep the Law of God, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us (3:13). These facts make us realize our great need for a Savior. The Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (3:24-25).
Instead, we are led and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to be the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:26-29).
Cross References:
For Galatians 3:6: See Genesis 15:6. Galatians 3:8: See Genesis 12:3,22:18. Galatians 3:10: See Deuteronomy 27:26. Galatians 3:11: See Habakkuk 2:4. Galatians 3:12: See Leviticus 18:5. Galatians 3:13: See Deuteronomy 21:23.
Word Studies:
1:13 conversation = behavior, way of life; 2:13 dissimulation = insincerity, hypocrisy, and pretense.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Military worldwide · The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by a family that loves Jesus · The Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer · Staff: Dr. John A Hash · Country: Angola (11 million) in west-central Africa · Major languages: Portuguese and Bantu dialects · Christianity is gradually being driven underground by communism · 60% Roman Catholic; 20% Protestant; 5% belief in ancestor spirits, witches, and medicine men · Prayer Suggestion: Revere and worship the Lord with godly fear and you will have no want (Psalm 34:9).
Memory Verse for the Week: James 2:26