March 14 - Galatians 3:23-24
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.
An initial reading of this implies imprisonment under the Law, but another application of the thought might be a custodial relationship – such as a guardian or foster parent.
Since we live by faith and not by the Law today, we don’t understand the incredible difference that Jesus’ life, death and resurrection brought to us. We take what we have for granted. Even the transition from not knowing Christ to knowing Christ is not as profound as the transformation from living under the Law to living by faith according to Jesus’ words.
If we look at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, we glimpse a hint of the ways that Jesus was changing people’s attitudes and application of the law. The commands are the same, but there is such a difference in how He binds people to those commands.
In those days every bit of the letter of the law was spelled out and just as we see happen today, as soon as they spelled out the law, someone went looking for a loophole. Jesus wanted people’s actions to be a reflection of their heart, not a reaction to a law.
For instance, in Matthew 5:33, Jesus says, “You have heard it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’”
Well, as you read through the rest of that passage, you find that people were making oaths on the earth or on the basis of themselves.
None of that will work … and obviously the law forced people to find their way around it so that they could continue in their humanity.
By the time Jesus got to the end of His teaching on that issue, He made it quite clear that it wasn’t about the Law at all, it was about the intent of the person and so He said, “Simply let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no,’ ‘no!’
That’s all there is to it. If you have to make an oath on an external foundation, you have lost the power of the truth of your word. If your yes is yes and your no is no and people trust you to be honest and that your word is good … that is much more important.
The Law held people to a semblance of the righteousness that God desired for His people, but they worked hard to find their way around it. For the time that the Law held power over God’s people, it was important that it be there. But, it was just acting as a guardian or a foster parent and as soon as that period of necessity was ended … when Jesus arrived … the Law became subordinate to faith in Jesus Christ.
March 13 - Galatians 3:19-22
Sunday, March 13, 2011
March 13 - Galatians 3:19-22
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
One of Athanasius’ points in explaining humanity’s need for a divine Savior was that even though the Law and the prophets had been put in place to bring God and man back into right relationship, it was never going to happen.
Humanity’s basic nature was corruptible and even though (up until the point of Christ), the Law and the prophets might have brought men to a point of repenting for a specific, those things could not bring full repentance that transformed a person (or an entire nation) from death to life. The Law could not bring re-creation, re-birth or new life.
God offered humanity creation to prove that He was among them every day. He still asks us to recognize that creation is a symbol of His presence in the world. When humanity continued to move away from Him, He gave them the Law. Within the Law was found the planbook for living a righteous life – a life that would keep God at the forefront of the people’s minds. When humanity disobeyed the Law, God brought forth the prophets, who used words that He gave them directly to remind people of their sin and plead with them to return to righteousness.
Those things were put into place until the time came that was right for the Word of God … Jesus Christ to come to earth and live among humanity and then die the worst death possible at the time, return to life so that He could bring us, through His sacrifice out of the chains of death … abolishing the fear of death … into new life.
Now repentance is based on His sacrifice and has a chance to work in our lives. It isn’t based on our own righteousness, but on His. We are free from ourselves and all the corruption that we are. We don’t need to rely on the Law or the prophets … only Jesus Christ for our lives.
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
One of Athanasius’ points in explaining humanity’s need for a divine Savior was that even though the Law and the prophets had been put in place to bring God and man back into right relationship, it was never going to happen.
Humanity’s basic nature was corruptible and even though (up until the point of Christ), the Law and the prophets might have brought men to a point of repenting for a specific, those things could not bring full repentance that transformed a person (or an entire nation) from death to life. The Law could not bring re-creation, re-birth or new life.
God offered humanity creation to prove that He was among them every day. He still asks us to recognize that creation is a symbol of His presence in the world. When humanity continued to move away from Him, He gave them the Law. Within the Law was found the planbook for living a righteous life – a life that would keep God at the forefront of the people’s minds. When humanity disobeyed the Law, God brought forth the prophets, who used words that He gave them directly to remind people of their sin and plead with them to return to righteousness.
Those things were put into place until the time came that was right for the Word of God … Jesus Christ to come to earth and live among humanity and then die the worst death possible at the time, return to life so that He could bring us, through His sacrifice out of the chains of death … abolishing the fear of death … into new life.
Now repentance is based on His sacrifice and has a chance to work in our lives. It isn’t based on our own righteousness, but on His. We are free from ourselves and all the corruption that we are. We don’t need to rely on the Law or the prophets … only Jesus Christ for our lives.
March 12 - Galatians 3:15-18
Saturday, March 12, 2011
March 12 - Galatians 3:15-18
Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Paul goes out on a limb a little bit here in discussing the covenant God made with Abraham. The standard interpretation of Abraham’s ‘seed’ had never before been quite as focused as he interprets it regarding Jesus Christ, but it made sense to him and thinking a little bit more about it – it makes sense to all of us. Abraham probably didn’t see it that way. The covenant was between God and all that would follow in Abraham’s line. That was pretty much the basis for the tribes of Israel. Abraham to Isaac to Jacob … Israel.
The noun ‘seed’ can be used either as a singular noun meaning a single seed, or it can be used as a plural noun … as it is used in Mark 4:4, “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed some fell along the path …”
But, Paul was making a point in connecting Jesus Christ to Abraham. The covenant that God made with Abraham was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. As we’ll see, the Israelites messed up the covenant and their inheritance was called into question because of their disobedience.
When Christ came, He renewed that inheritance and then, in turn, transferred it to all who would follow Him.
The covenant established between God and Abraham could not be set aside. As long as one person fulfills a covenant, it remains in existence. It is nothing like a contract between two parties that can be considered null and void when one breaks the contract. A covenant with an eternal God is forever – until it is fulfilled. Paul tells us that Jesus Christ fulfills the covenant.
Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Paul goes out on a limb a little bit here in discussing the covenant God made with Abraham. The standard interpretation of Abraham’s ‘seed’ had never before been quite as focused as he interprets it regarding Jesus Christ, but it made sense to him and thinking a little bit more about it – it makes sense to all of us. Abraham probably didn’t see it that way. The covenant was between God and all that would follow in Abraham’s line. That was pretty much the basis for the tribes of Israel. Abraham to Isaac to Jacob … Israel.
The noun ‘seed’ can be used either as a singular noun meaning a single seed, or it can be used as a plural noun … as it is used in Mark 4:4, “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed some fell along the path …”
But, Paul was making a point in connecting Jesus Christ to Abraham. The covenant that God made with Abraham was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. As we’ll see, the Israelites messed up the covenant and their inheritance was called into question because of their disobedience.
When Christ came, He renewed that inheritance and then, in turn, transferred it to all who would follow Him.
The covenant established between God and Abraham could not be set aside. As long as one person fulfills a covenant, it remains in existence. It is nothing like a contract between two parties that can be considered null and void when one breaks the contract. A covenant with an eternal God is forever – until it is fulfilled. Paul tells us that Jesus Christ fulfills the covenant.
March 11 - Galatians 3:10-14
Friday, March 11, 2011
March 11 - Galatians 3:10-14
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Paul just says it … if you want to rely on the law. Fine. But, don’t forget. You have to do EVERYTHING written in the Book of the Law. Otherwise, you will be cursed and you will not see eternity with God.
The better way is to live by faith in Jesus Christ. He redeemed us from that curse. That great blessing of the covenant promised to Abraham now comes through Jesus Christ to us.
The Law was put into place to offer the people of Israel – Abraham’s direct descendants – a way to redeem themselves with God. When that didn’t work, God sent prophets. All of these things did not stop the Israelites from moving further and further away from God. And certainly nothing convinced them that they were to be a light to the nations so that the entire world would know God.
The only way that God could bring the relationship back was to come Himself. So, Jesus was born. He lived. He was crucified as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind and He rose to conquer and abolish death.
We are not bound by the law. We are not bound by legalism or any of the other hangups we may have with modern Christianity. We are simply to have faith in Jesus Christ and trust that He will lead us to the Father. We have that promise. We can live within that promise.
Faith.
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Paul just says it … if you want to rely on the law. Fine. But, don’t forget. You have to do EVERYTHING written in the Book of the Law. Otherwise, you will be cursed and you will not see eternity with God.
The better way is to live by faith in Jesus Christ. He redeemed us from that curse. That great blessing of the covenant promised to Abraham now comes through Jesus Christ to us.
The Law was put into place to offer the people of Israel – Abraham’s direct descendants – a way to redeem themselves with God. When that didn’t work, God sent prophets. All of these things did not stop the Israelites from moving further and further away from God. And certainly nothing convinced them that they were to be a light to the nations so that the entire world would know God.
The only way that God could bring the relationship back was to come Himself. So, Jesus was born. He lived. He was crucified as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind and He rose to conquer and abolish death.
We are not bound by the law. We are not bound by legalism or any of the other hangups we may have with modern Christianity. We are simply to have faith in Jesus Christ and trust that He will lead us to the Father. We have that promise. We can live within that promise.
Faith.
March 10 - Galatians 3:6-9
Thursday, March 10, 2011
March 10 - Galatians 3:6-9
So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Were it not for Paul’s constant reminders, we would easily forget that Abraham didn’t have the Law to tell him how to have faith in God. That didn’t happen until Moses got there – many hundred years later.
But, Abraham had a close relationship with God. When God said, “Go,” Abraham went. Now, Abraham disobeyed God regularly and saw the effects of that disobedience, but because the relationship between the two was so strong, he figured it out, repented and moved forward.
The glory of God’s covenant with Abraham was not just about the promise to make him into a great nation, but also that all peoples on earth would be blessed through him.
The Lord had said Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3)
We are part of that blessing. The entirety of earth is part of that blessing.
God is so good to us … He desired that we be part of His kingdom from the beginning of His covenant with Abraham. That, too, is grace.
So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Were it not for Paul’s constant reminders, we would easily forget that Abraham didn’t have the Law to tell him how to have faith in God. That didn’t happen until Moses got there – many hundred years later.
But, Abraham had a close relationship with God. When God said, “Go,” Abraham went. Now, Abraham disobeyed God regularly and saw the effects of that disobedience, but because the relationship between the two was so strong, he figured it out, repented and moved forward.
The glory of God’s covenant with Abraham was not just about the promise to make him into a great nation, but also that all peoples on earth would be blessed through him.
The Lord had said Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3)
We are part of that blessing. The entirety of earth is part of that blessing.
God is so good to us … He desired that we be part of His kingdom from the beginning of His covenant with Abraham. That, too, is grace.
March 9 - Galatians 3:1-5
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
March 9 - Galatians 3:1-5
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?
Exasperation. That’s a tone of voice I heard a lot from my parents and one that I’ve managed to pick up and understand quite well.
Paul isn’t necessarily angry – he’s frustrated. All of the teaching he offered to the Galatians has been set aside by them as they are caught up in some other contemporary, probably more exciting and more palatable teaching.
We’re as guilty of this as the Galatians were. Every time a new teacher comes around, or a new worship leader shows up, or a new author hits the shelves … we are entranced with what they are saying and believe that this answers everything! We’re so gullible.
It’s pretty easy for us to look at the televangelists in the 70s, 80s and 90s and act surprised at the number of people that were taken in by their teaching, and we can giggle at the crazy antics of people as they are hoodwinked by supposed Spirit-filled powers, but we are just as susceptible and we have to be just as careful and watchful.
We rely too much on others to transmit information to us regarding God’s Word. We rely on our pastors to be dynamic speakers and great leaders, we rely on trusted authors and teachers to take us into scripture and explain what it means, we count on everyone else to do our Christianity for us. Where does that leave us? Exactly in the same place that we find the Galatians … ready to accept the newest, most exciting thing that comes along.
I was a bit convicted yesterday as I read C.S. Lewis’ introduction to Athanasius. He finds that most people are willing to read ‘about’ old books (Plato, Church Fathers, Shakespeare, etc.) but not so quickly willing to read the old books themselves and in so doing, the full understanding is missed – one person’s interpretation is the only thing being presented.
I’m quite guilty of this. I find myself struggling with ancient phraseology and terminology. But, as I read through Athansius’ little book “On the Incarnation,” it was incredible to be reading the development of much theology and doctrine that we take for granted. This is the good stuff!
Paul’s concern for the Galatians as they found themselves caught up in something that he didn’t approve of is expressed in his exasperation. Would he be concerned for you as well today?
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?
Exasperation. That’s a tone of voice I heard a lot from my parents and one that I’ve managed to pick up and understand quite well.
Paul isn’t necessarily angry – he’s frustrated. All of the teaching he offered to the Galatians has been set aside by them as they are caught up in some other contemporary, probably more exciting and more palatable teaching.
We’re as guilty of this as the Galatians were. Every time a new teacher comes around, or a new worship leader shows up, or a new author hits the shelves … we are entranced with what they are saying and believe that this answers everything! We’re so gullible.
It’s pretty easy for us to look at the televangelists in the 70s, 80s and 90s and act surprised at the number of people that were taken in by their teaching, and we can giggle at the crazy antics of people as they are hoodwinked by supposed Spirit-filled powers, but we are just as susceptible and we have to be just as careful and watchful.
We rely too much on others to transmit information to us regarding God’s Word. We rely on our pastors to be dynamic speakers and great leaders, we rely on trusted authors and teachers to take us into scripture and explain what it means, we count on everyone else to do our Christianity for us. Where does that leave us? Exactly in the same place that we find the Galatians … ready to accept the newest, most exciting thing that comes along.
I was a bit convicted yesterday as I read C.S. Lewis’ introduction to Athanasius. He finds that most people are willing to read ‘about’ old books (Plato, Church Fathers, Shakespeare, etc.) but not so quickly willing to read the old books themselves and in so doing, the full understanding is missed – one person’s interpretation is the only thing being presented.
I’m quite guilty of this. I find myself struggling with ancient phraseology and terminology. But, as I read through Athansius’ little book “On the Incarnation,” it was incredible to be reading the development of much theology and doctrine that we take for granted. This is the good stuff!
Paul’s concern for the Galatians as they found themselves caught up in something that he didn’t approve of is expressed in his exasperation. Would he be concerned for you as well today?
March 8 - Galatians 2:15-21
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
March 8 - Galatians 2:15-21
“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
“But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
I just finished reading a little treatise, “On the Incarnation of the Word,” by Athanasius, a 4th century Church father. He was writing against some heresies that denied the divinity and/or humanity of Jesus Christ.
But, as he introduced the subject, he began by teaching about the loss of the relationship between man and God, which led to the need for Jesus to come to earth in human form. God had provided creation to teach humanity about Himself, and when they ignored that and continued to corrupt themselves, He gave them the Law and when that wasn’t enough, He sent prophets. But, no amount of repentance under the Law or in any other form was complete enough because humanity always returned to corruption.
Only when God came to earth Himself in the form of Jesus Christ was He able to offer re-creation, re-birth … a new life. He lived on earth, then died to conquer the hold that death has on us. By abolishing the power of death, He allowed humanity to find its way back to God permanently. His sacrifice, His power over death, stopped the all-encompassing flood of corruption that had begun when Adam and Eve broke God’s very first commandment and introduced sin and separation into the world.
The Law was not enough to restore the relationship, it took the sacrifice of the Word of God … Jesus Christ to bring us back into a right relationship with God so that we can now live for Him.
That’s grace.
“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
“But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
I just finished reading a little treatise, “On the Incarnation of the Word,” by Athanasius, a 4th century Church father. He was writing against some heresies that denied the divinity and/or humanity of Jesus Christ.
But, as he introduced the subject, he began by teaching about the loss of the relationship between man and God, which led to the need for Jesus to come to earth in human form. God had provided creation to teach humanity about Himself, and when they ignored that and continued to corrupt themselves, He gave them the Law and when that wasn’t enough, He sent prophets. But, no amount of repentance under the Law or in any other form was complete enough because humanity always returned to corruption.
Only when God came to earth Himself in the form of Jesus Christ was He able to offer re-creation, re-birth … a new life. He lived on earth, then died to conquer the hold that death has on us. By abolishing the power of death, He allowed humanity to find its way back to God permanently. His sacrifice, His power over death, stopped the all-encompassing flood of corruption that had begun when Adam and Eve broke God’s very first commandment and introduced sin and separation into the world.
The Law was not enough to restore the relationship, it took the sacrifice of the Word of God … Jesus Christ to bring us back into a right relationship with God so that we can now live for Him.
That’s grace.
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