“From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Circumcision was not the “mark” that proved that the Apostle Paul belonged to his Master Jesus. The “brands” that demonstrated the Lord’s ownership were the wounds and scars that Paul received while faithfully and lovingly serving Him and carrying out His will.

“Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-26)

I pray that none of us will ever be exposed to the kind of abuse that Paul was forced to endure. But even so, choosing to follow Jesus should leave a permanent mark upon us. A Christian should be a changed person who is never quite the same after a true encounter with and conversion to the Lord. 
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” comes with a price. It cost Jesus is life. It will cost us something as well.

We will begin our excursion into Paul’s letter to the Ephesians with some introductory remarks tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”

---End of Scripture verses---

The false teachers wanted the Gentile Christians to be circumcised so that they could boast in their flesh (verse 15), but Paul would only boast “in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 14). If anyone had reason to boast in the flesh, it would have been Paul. He pointed out as much in his letter to the Philippians, but he realized that all of those vain fleshly birthrights and achievements were eternally inconsequential and paled in comparison to the excellence of knowing Christ Jesus.

“Although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:4-7)

Think of all the things that people put so much confidence in and brag about: how much money they make, how many promotions they have received, what college they attended, the number of degrees they’ve earned, the wins of their favorite sports teams, how smart their children are, and the list goes on and on. While some of these things are noteworthy and commendable, they will only have positive bearing on life this side of the grave. Only “the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” has lasting significance and provides eternal security.

Through Christ Jesus and what He did for each of us on Calvary’ cross, we should willingly allow the lusts and desires of the world to be crucified to us, and we should be crucified to them. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (2:20). “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:24-26)

If we have truly become “a new creation” in Christ (verse 15), then we should make every effort to “put off” the old person of sin with his evil practices (Colossians 3:8-9); and “as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” (Colossians 3:12-13)

Please read Galatians 6:17-18 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.”

---End of Scripture verses---

As Paul drew his epistle to the Galatians to a close, he placed his “autograph” upon it to authenticate that the letter had actually come from him. He had likely been dictating to an “amanuensis” up until this point in which he took the writing instrument and wrote in “large letters”. It is uncertain as to why he wrote with larger letters than his assistant did, but maybe it was for emphasis as he summarized and closed this very important piece of inspired Scripture.

Paul gets to the motivation behind the people who had been “troubling” (5:12) the brethren about circumcision. They were only trying to “compel” the Gentile Christians to be circumcised in order to avoid being “persecuted” themselves (verse 12). They obviously thought that if they could wield their influence over their non-Jewish brothers in Christ, then Christianity as a whole would be more acceptable to the Jewish community at large.

But the Apostle Paul would have no part with compromising the truth just to avoid persecution for following Christ. He had written in Galatians 5:11: “But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.” Paul was not nearly as interested in pleasing people as he was in pleasing the Lord. The subject of Gentile circumcision was just one of those issues that tripped some people up. But these people needed to come to a better understanding and acceptance of the truth and change their views, because God would not change the truth just to appease them.

Some people place far more emphasis on “the flesh” (verses 12-13) then they do on the spirit. When we get too focused on outward appearances it skews our perspective, and causes us to loose sight of the things that matter the most in life. As we close today, let’s consider the four following verses written by Paul that show us how God is more concerned about our inward condition and not our outer façade .

“Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.” (1 Corinthians 7:19)

“But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” (Romans 2:27)

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6)

“For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” (Galatians 6:15)

Please read Galatians 6:14-16 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 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. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Although this statement is true across the board, many people think that “whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (verse 7) is said specifically in relation to what was written in verse 6. If that is the case then Paul is saying that the ways that we use our money has eternal consequences. There are several good uses for our financial blessings, and one is to “share” them with others, specifically here with faithful teachers and preachers of God’s word.

Paul has more to say in other places about “reaping and sowing” in the financial realm of good stewardship. “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). God loves a big, generous, cheerful heart when we practice charity to those who are in need.

“While we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (verse 10). Once again, this statement is true across the board, but in the context, this likely refers to “sharing” our wealth with those in need. This is a personal responsibility and not a collective one, so we are going to be judged individually by the ways that we respond to the needs of others. It is clear from this passage that we should be on the look out for opportunities to help anyone of God’s creatures who have fallen upon hard times, but “especially” our brothers and sisters in Christ.

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” (Romans 12:9-13)

Please read Galatians 6:11-13 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

“The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 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. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

---End of Scripture verses---

“Do not be deceived” (verse 7). From the very beginning of human existence, Satan has used deception to trick people into doing his bidding and forsaking their Creator. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” Unfortunately, we are often far too easily fooled and far too eager to take the devil’s bait and jump into his traps. Our adversary doesn’t have to work too hard on us when we can be so willing to deceive ourselves.

“God is not mocked” (verse 7). We may be able to fool other people, and even ourselves, but we can never pull one over on God. The Lord is the “God who sees” and knows all things (Genesis 13:16). Vine’s Dictionary defines the word “mock” as follows: “to turn up the nose at, sneer at, treat with contempt.” Paul is not saying that it is impossible to turn our noses up at God in derisive contempt. People do that all the time. He IS telling us, however, that no one can GET AWAY with doing so! Nothing we do will escape the notice and Judgment of God!

“Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Whatever we plant, that is what we will harvest. If we plant corn, we will grow corn. If we plant peppers, we will grow peppers. If we sow to “the flesh” then we must “from the flesh reap corruption” (verse 8). “The flesh” is inherently corrupt. If we are determined to indulge in the “deeds of the flesh” (5:19-21), we will reap the eternal destruction and corruption that proceeds from that kind of lifestyle. Do not be deceived. Even a Christian “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (5:21) if he “sows to the wind”.

The bottom line is that we cannot escape the consequences of our choices. If we choose to live lives of sinfulness outside of a covenant with God through obedience to Christ, we will be condemned for eternity. But if we choose to belong to Jesus and follow Him in obedient faith, we “sow to the Spirit” and will reap an eternal life in heaven. But we cannot “grow weary” and “lose heart in doing good” (verse 9). Life in Christ Jesus is an endurance race, and only those who are faithful until death will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

Just a bit more on this passage before we move on.

Please stay with Galatians 6:6-10 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Along with helping to restore brothers or sisters in Christ who have been caught in the grasp of sin (verse 1), it is also incumbent upon followers of Christ to “bear one another’s burdens” (verse 2). According to Vine’s Dictionary a “burden” is “a weight, anything pressing on one physically, or that makes a demand on one's resources.” Sometimes the demands of life just get too heavy to bear alone, and we need to help our brethren shoulder their burdens. We can be weighed down by sickness, illness, bereavement; money, marriage, or child-rearing problems, or any number of difficulties.

Paul said that when we bear one another’s burdens we “fulfill the law of Christ.” Many people believe that the law of Christ is simply “the law of love”. When Jesus walked with His disciples upon the earth, “He loved them to the end” or “to the uttermost” (John 13:1). The reason that Christ came to this world was to die for all the people that He created because He loves us so much. Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I believe that the law of Christ, in the broader context of inspired revelation, refers to all the commandments given to mankind to obey through the New Testament (Hebrews 1:1-2). But I think that Paul is singling out our responsibilities to our fellowman contained within that law in today’s verses. Love most certainly is the dominant aspect of the law of Christ as Paul pointed out in Galatians 5:14: “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’” The commands to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as our self are the two greatest commandments to ever exist (Matthew 22:36-40).

While it is vitally important that we help bear one another’s burdens, it is equally imperative that each person “bear his own load” (verse 5). Vine’s Dictionary defines the word “load” as following: “something carried, is always used metaphorically (except in Acts 27:10, of the lading of a ship); of that which, though ‘light,’ is involved in discipleship of Christ.” We all must accept our own responsibilities and carry our own weight, even though there are times when we all need help. There is no contradiction between bearing one another’s burdens and carrying our own load. Paul is merely counterbalancing the command to help with a warning to not enable.

Everyone in the kingdom of Christ is expected to do his own fair share. We will all stand before the Lord on Judgment Day as individual “free moral agents”. We all need to examine ourselves to make certain that each of us is doing our “own work” (verse 4). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Please read Galatians 6:6-10 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

---End of Scripture verses---

The “fruit of the Spirit” is set in stark contrast to the “deeds of the flesh.” It is interesting to note that the "works" of the flesh are listed as several, individual, sinful “deeds”, while the “fruit” of the Spirit is listed as a single set of attitudes or dispositions. When we use the word “fruit” in a symbolic fashion, that usually reminds us of results, such as the fruit of our labor producing a desirable outcome. The result of being “filled” with the Holy Spirit is not ecstatic utterances of the tongue or uncontrollable gyrations of the body. When we are truly being “led by the Spirit” the evidence will be a beautiful and blessed disposition of heart that manifests itself by righteousness and godly living.

The attributes in this list are referred to as singular “fruit” because God expects us to harvest them all and not cherry-pick the ones that are easiest for us to digest. This collection appropriately begins with “love”, “the characteristic word of Christianity” (Vine’s Dictionary), and ends with “self-control”, the defining aspect of a person who is truly allowing the Spirit to lead him (verse 17). When we read the Spirit-inspired word, we learn that love for God and for our fellow man are the two greatest commandments to be obeyed (Matthew 22:36-40).

From the mindset of “love” as the guiding principle of our lives, we will find “joy” and “peace” even during times of trial and turbulence. We will attempt to exhibit “patience” with people and treat them with “kindness” and “gentleness”, understanding that God has dealt patiently and kindly with us, even when we did not deserve it. With all “faithfulness” and “goodness” we will earnestly endeavor to serve the Lord and “to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

A lack of “self-control” is usually the number one source of difficulties in most people’s lives. If we can learn to keep that guy in the mirror in line, most of our problems will vanish away. We need to practice self-control in all areas of our lives. We need to learn tongue-control, eye-control, lust-control, anger-control, etc. The only way to cultivate an environment for and develop the skill of self-control, is to spend considerable time in the word of God that is able to save our souls and transform our lives (Romans 12:1-2). That is the only way to “walk by the Spirit.” If we live (eternally) by the Spirit, then we must walk (intentionally) by the Spirit on a minute-by-minute basis (verse 26).

Please read Galatians 6:1-5 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

-Louie Taylor

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

---End of Scripture verses---

“The deeds of the flesh are evident” (verse 19). The word “evident” means “manifest”, “clear”, “visible”, “obvious”. That the sins on this list are “works” or “deeds of the flesh” should be a surprise to no one. These things are clearly carnal, fleshly transgressions that are antagonistic to our spiritual relationship with God, and that proceed from the base, corrupted part of our makeup.

The sins listed in verses 19-21 are divided into four categories. The first category is sins of sexuality which include “immorality, impurity and sensuality”. The second grouping consists of “religious” sins: “idolatry, and sorcery” (or witchcraft). The third class of infractions is sins against our fellowman. They consist of “strife, jealousy, outburst of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions”. The final category is sins of “indulgence” and include “drunkenness, carousing” (or “partying”).

“And things like these” (verse 21). Just because our “favorite sin” is not named in this list does not mean that we are walking by the Spirit and not indulging in the deeds of the flesh. Paul could have compiled a much lengthier list of vices here, but he identified 15 by name to represent all the “deeds of the flesh” that will condemn us eternally if we practice such things. He says clearly that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Paul compiled another list of sins in his first letter to the Corinthians and arrived at the same conclusion: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

The bottom line is that when we get caught up in a sin (any sin) that we refuse to let go of, turn from, repent of and beg forgiveness for, we will be spiritually lost, severed from Christ (verse 4). This letter was written to Christians. Paul was writing to baptized believers who had been washed in the blood of Christ (Galatians 3:27). Do not be deceived! If a Christian chooses to live like the devil on earth, he will not reign with the Father in heaven! Self-deception is the worst kind of deception! “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (verse 24).
Stay with Galatians 5:16-26 for one more day. We will look at “the fruit of the Spirit” tomorrow Lord willing.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

---End of Scripture verses---

What does it mean to “not carry out the desire of the flesh” (verse 16)? “Flesh” is the Greek word “sarx”, and it can mean many different things depending on the context in which it is used. Often it is simply used with reference to the human body. Other times it refers to “human nature”, or the “essence” of what it means to be a human being. As with today’s context, the word is also set in opposition to the spiritual part of man that strives to do right and please God. In this sense, to live in “the flesh” is to give oneself over to the baser desires, and to be governed by carnality and sinful lusts.

If you are reading from the New International Version of the Bible, that word “sarx” is nearly always rendered “the sinful nature.” While there is a part of us as “fallen” human beings that “naturally” tends to gravitate toward making sinful choices and gratify the desires of “the flesh”, it is not true that people are born “naturally sinful”. God created humans in His own spiritual image (Genesis 9:6), and not in the “depraved” image of our adversary, Satan. 1 John 3:4 tells us, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” Sin is something wrong that is “committed” or something right that is “omitted”. Sin is a transgression of law and not an inheritable trait.

The spiritual part of us that is led by the Holy Spirit and that wants to please God, is “in opposition” to the “fleshly” part of us that wants to do things that only please ourselves (verse 17). Vine’s dictionary tells us that the Greek word for “in opposition” means “to lie opposite to, to be set over against,” and that the noun form of this verb means “an adversary”. There is “antagonism” between the weakness of our flesh and our willingness to follow the Holy Spirit’s revelation. In other words, our weak flesh is waging war against our willing spirit.

Anyone of us who has ever lost his temper and said something hurtful after having previously determined to never do a thing like that again, can testify to this truth. But as long as we keep taking the battle to the enemy and putting up a firm resistance to those “outbursts of anger” (verse 20), and other “deeds of the flesh”, we will ultimately win the war. If we are fighting the good fight of faith as good soldiers in the Lord’s army we are promised the ultimate victory (1 John 5:4).

Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:11-12, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” We can see that it is important, not only for our own soul’s security, but also for the salvation of the lost people that we can have influence over, that we put up a strong fight of resistance against these fleshly lusts. God wants us to set a good example for other people to see and follow (Matthew 5:14-16).

There is so much at stake as we conduct our daily walk of life! Let’s make certain that we are following the Spirit’s lead and not the fulfilling the deeds of the flesh!

We will stay in Galatians 5:16-26 for tomorrow and also Sunday most likely.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

---End of Scripture verses---

What does it mean to “walk by the Spirit” (verse 16)? It means to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct the way that we live our lives. How does He do that? The Holy Spirit will only wield His influence over us when we spend ample time reading His revelation, and allowing that powerful, sharp, active, living world to shape, influence and transform our lives (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:21).

When we are “led by the Spirit” (verse 18), we “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). When we let “the word of Christ richly dwell in” us (Colossians 3:16), we welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts, and minds and that produces all manner of good “fruit” (verse 22).

Paul repeatedly used the metaphor of “walking” in his letter to the Ephesians to illustrate what the Spirit-led life looks like on a daily basis. In Ephesians 2:10, he tells us that we should walk in “good works”. As our Lord Jesus “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), so we should follow in our Savior’s footsteps. In Ephesians 4:1-2 Paul says we must walk “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.”

In Ephesians 5:1-2, we learn that the life led by the Holy Spirit is a sacrificial life: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” To live by the Spirit is to walk circumspectly and make the most of the opportunities that God has given us in our earthly lives: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

These verses are way too rich to just zip through.

Let’s linger in Galatians 5:16-26 for tomorrow and the next few days if the Lord is willing.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Paul was actually battling two extreme errors in his letter to the Galatian Christians. There was an element among the brethren who wanted to “bind” and “enslave” them to strict keeping of parts of the Law of Moses. To those brethren Paul stressed the importance of the “liberty” and “freedom” that faith in Christ Jesus provided them. On the other end of the spectrum were the brethren who endeavored to use their “freedom” as a license for loose living. Paul warned this element to not turn their “freedom into an opportunity for the flesh” (verse 13). There was likely even a convergence of these two mindsets.

The liberty that God offers through faith in Christ is not a “green light” to do just as we please. The Lord offered himself up for us to provide freedom FROM sin, not freedom TO sin. God’s salvation is a gift that cannot be received by “faith only” or “belief only”. God’s indescribable gift obligates us to live righteous lives in obedience to His commandments, and to “serve one another” in love. All of God’s laws that govern our behavior toward our fellow human beings are fulfilled when we love our neighbor as we love our self (verse 14).

What some of the churches of Christ in the region of Galatia were going through, unfortunately, is the same thing that some congregations experience in America still today. They were “biting and devouring” one another instead of loving and edifying each other. Instead of putting on the whole armor of God and taking the battle to the enemy, they were more interested in fighting each other like feral animals. When Christians insult and degrade one another, and spread and listen to gossip and vicious rumors about each other, no one wins but the adversary. If not corrected in a timely manner, congregations and immortal souls are “consumed” by this type of carnal warfare (verse 15).

Let’s remember Paul’s admonition in Galatians 6:10 - “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

Please read Galatians 5:16-26 for tomorrow.

Lord willing we will actually spend a couple of days on these remarkable verses.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.”

---End of Scripture verses---

The Galatian brethren were running the “Christian race” quite well until the false teachers tripped them up and caused them to stumble. They had been “obeying the truth” in faith and godliness, but were “hindered” or “impeded” from doing so by the influence of those who wanted to enslave them to the Law of Moses. We learn from verse 7 that the truth (a.k.a. “the Gospel”, “the doctrine of Christ”, God’s revelation) is something to be OBEYED as well as BELIEVED. When we are believers only and not doers of the word, we delude ourselves (James 1:22), and sever ourselves from Christ (verse 4).

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough” (verse 9). Just the tiniest bit of false doctrine completely corrupts the truth. The Apostle John tells us that “no lie is of the truth” (1 John 2:21). Once the pristine doctrine of Christ has been tainted with a lie, it becomes “a different gospel, which is really not another” gospel (Galatians 1:6-7). The false teachers convinced the Galatian Christians that they needed to be circumcised and observe Jewish holy days in order to please God. That seemingly insignificant addition corrupted their faith and condemned their souls.

God stresses in the Bible that people must strictly follow His commandments in truth and obedience, and that nothing should be added to or taken away from His word (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:19). Even additions that seem harmless will cause great damage and engender God’s rejection. Once you open the door for doctrinal error, there is no telling how far you will deviate from the truth. But the main point Paul is making in today’s verses is that it doesn’t matter how far you deviate. Once you’ve taken the first step off the straight and narrow path, it is a disastrous step too far.

Paul wrote that he wished the false teachers who were troubling the brethren “would even mutilate themselves” (verse 12). He is saying that, since these brethren placed so much significance on circumcision, he wanted them just to go ahead and take the circumcision knife and castrate themselves. Some people think that Paul is simply using hyperbole here to emphasize his point, and that he would not wish anyone actual physical harm, but I’m not so sure about that.

The purity of the Gospel is so enormously and eternally important, that it is even more crucial than our physical wellbeing. Anyone who would “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” is the object of God’s divine wrath (Romans 1:18). It would have been much more desirable for these false teachers to castrate themselves and lose their influence by violating the Law of Moses that they were hawking (Deuteronomy 23:1); than for them to remain physically whole and condemn themselves and their followers to an eternity in hell.

On a happier note, Paul had confidence in the brethren that they would do the right thing in the Lord (verse 10)! 

Please read Galatians 5:13-15 for tomorrow.

Blessings!

-Louie Taylor

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”

---End of Scripture verses---

In today’s verses, Paul talks about the consequences of reverting back to the Law of Moses. Paul had just taught, by means of allegory, that Christians are the spiritual children of the “free woman,” Sarah (chapter 4, verses 21-31). Now he encourages his readers to “keep standing firm” in that “freedom” (verse 1). To go back to the Mosaical Law is to willingly don an oppressive “yoke of slavery”.

Peter spoke about this overbearing burden at the “Jerusalem Conference” in Acts 15:10, where it was decreed that circumcision was not necessary for salvation: “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?”

Paul tells us today that if someone should “receive circumcision” as an aspect of the Law of Moses, he would be “under obligation to keep the whole Law” (verse 3). God’s laws are not “smorgasbords” to be selected from. We cannot “cherry pick” the parts that we like, and ignore the aspects that are unpalatable to us. Even with an outdated and replaced law such as the Law of Moses.

The truth be told though, even if someone tried to keep the whole Law, he would fall short and be condemned by it. The Law could only save a person if he were to keep it perfectly. Once any aspect of God’s law is broken, His saving grace is required through Jesus Christ for eternal salvation. To revert back to a dead Law, and attempt to be circumcised as a requirement for salvation, would make Christ and His sacrifice “of no benefit to you” (verse 2), and cause you to be “severed from Christ” (verse 4).

No sterner or more frightening words could ever be written. Christ is our all-sufficient Savior and we dare not look any further than the New Testament for God’s plan of salvation. If a person “goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ” (2 John 1:9), he rejects God’s saving grace through Jesus and His revelation, and is cut off from the Lord! Yes, it is possible for a Christian to “fall from grace” (verse 4). One way to do that is to seek “to be justified by law.”

The only thing that is required to please God and save our souls is “faith working through love” (verse 6). To understand the true meaning of this statement we must recognize that, to love Jesus is to keep His commandments (John 14:15-24). A great parallel for verse 6 is what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:19: “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.”

Please read Galatians 5:7-12 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written,
"‘REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND.’
"And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say?
"‘CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.’ So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Since Abraham was revered as the father of the Jewish race, Paul used his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, to illustrate the differences that exist between, and the effects that are produced by, the Law of Moses and faith in Christ. The first son, Ishmael, was Abraham’s child by purely natural, physical means. The second son, Isaac, was a part of the fulfillment of God’s promise that Abraham’s descendants would be a great nation and that, through his seed, all nations would be blessed. Ishmael represents the physical lineage of Abraham who obstinately clung to the Law of Moses for justification. Isaac represents the spiritual descendants of Abraham who have accepted the promises of God that are fulfilled by faith in Christ Jesus.

Ishmael was born to Abraham through Hagar, Sarah’s “bond woman” or slave (Genesis 16:1). Isaac was born to Abraham through Sarah, his wife and “free woman”. Both sons had the same father but had different legal standing because of the status of each child’s mother. The bondwoman’s son was born (or conceived) “according to the flesh” (verse 23). That is to say, she conceived him according to the natural laws of conception without the supernatural intervention of God. But Isaac was brought into the world miraculously by God “through the promise” that He had made to Abraham (verse 23). Abraham and Sarah were well past the age for natural childbirth and Sarah’s womb was “barren” (Genesis 18:11; Romans 4:19). 

“These women are the two covenants” (verse 24). Hagar and her child represent God’s covenant with Israel “inaugurated” on Mount Sinai when He gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the full Law of Moses that they represented. Just as surely as Hagar was a bondwoman and her children were destined to be servants, so the Law only offers slavery to those who are “begotten” by it (verse 25). Law only condemns people and cannot save them, therefore it renders them as slaves to sin. Mount Sinai is located in “Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem” (verse 25). Since Arabia was the land given to Ishmael’s descendants, this ties physical Israel (those who cling to the Law of Moses) to Ishmael rather than to Isaac. 

On the other hand, Abraham’s covenant wife, Sarah, was supernaturally blessed with her child, Isaac, according to God’s immutable promise. Sarah represents “the Jerusalem above” (verse 26). This “heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22-23) is the church of Jesus Christ. It is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed, Jesus; and it is “free” from the slavery of sin and the bondage of law. Christians, who seek justification through faith in the Lord, and not perfect obedience to the Law, “like Isaac, are children of the promise” (verse 28). We are “not children of the bondwoman, but of the free woman” (verse 31). 
Hagar – The bondwoman – Ishmael – The child of the flesh – The Old Covenant –The Law of Moses – Bondage – Earthy Jerusalem
Sarah – The free woman – Isaac – The child of promise – The New Covenant – Faith in Christ Jesus – Freedom – Heavenly Jerusalem
As Hagar and her son were “cast out” of the household of Abraham because Ishmael abused Isaac (Genesis 21:10), so the brethren in Galatia were to “drive out” the “Judaizers” who troubled them with their false doctrine (verse 30). 

Please read Galatians 5:1-6 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

-Louie Taylor

“So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you — but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.”

---End of Scripture verses---

At one point in time the Galatians had received Paul as “an angel from God” and even “as Christ Jesus himself” (verse 14). They would have given their own eyes for him if that had been a necessity and possibility (verse 15). In other words, they really loved, respected and appreciated Paul and his teaching. But now, somehow, their attitude toward him and opinion of him had changed. And it was actually because he had been “telling them the truth” about their spiritual decline (verse 16).

Far too often it is the case that people just don’t like to hear the truth. And when someone with their best interests at heart tells them what they NEED but do not WANT to hear, they despise the messenger instead of being honest with themselves. But you know what? We still need to SPEAK and HEAR the truth just the same. No matter how badly it hurts to hear, the truth is still the truth. Don’t stone the messenger. Take an honest look at the person in the mirror and make the necessary changes.

Paul was willing to risk becoming the ENEMIES of his brethren in order to try and SAVE his brethren. Paul was trying to form Christ in them all over again (verse 19). This meant that they had lost their first love (Revelation 2:4), and had fallen from God’s saving grace (Galatians 5:4). Yes, Christians can, by disobedience and faithlessness, lose the salvation that they had gained by obedience and faith. In spite of the fact that Paul loved his brethren in Christ, he would not tickle their ears with pleasant words. In fact, he spoke to them in this harsh manner precisely BECAUSE he loved them.

He wished that he could actually talk to them face-to-face instead of by letter so that he could “change his tone” (verse 20). If he was with them personally, maybe he could convince and convict them of the truth and elicit their repentance so that he could talk to them less severely. He didn’t enjoy the tough love he was administering, even though it was necessary. Unfortunately, while Paul was out of their sight, he was also out of their minds (verse 18). We must be careful to do the right things all of the time, not just when certain people that we respect are watching and can see what we are doing.

We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Our God is out of sight (physically), but we dare not let Him slip out of mind.

Please read the allegory in Galatians 4:21-31 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Paul wanted his Galatian brethren to become as he was. He was literally “begging” them to take the same stance toward the Law of Moses that he had taken. When working among the Galatians, Paul had laid aside all his Jewish practices, traditions and privileges, and lived according to the norms and customs of the Gentiles in order to win them over to the Lord and help them grow in the faith.

It discouraged him greatly that they were now following the poor example of people who did not have their best interests at heart. False teachers were leading them down a path of sinfulness and error by helping them revert to the defunct and inferior Law of Moses. Paul wanted his brethren to “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

“You have done me no wrong” (verse 12). The brethren had treated Paul kindly and had accepted him with open arms when he worked among them in the past. As a matter of fact, they had received him “as an angel of God,” and even “as Christ Jesus Himself” (verse 14). But now they were treating him as an “enemy” (verse 16).

When he preached the gospel to them the “first time” (verse 13), he did so with some sort of “bodily illness”. Even though others may have been repulsed by the sight of Paul and unaffected by his teaching, the brethren in Galatia embraced him and his doctrine. They thought so highly of him that they would have given him their eyes if that had been a possibility (verse 15). This figure of speech has led many to believe that Paul’s malady had something to do with his eyes.

We can’t be certain what Paul’s physical infirmity actually was, but the main point is that they gladly received the truth of the Gospel in spite of the affliction of the preacher. Now they were allowing purely human influence to lead them down the path of destruction! Paul only wanted to win their affection back to himself so that he could direct their devotion back to the truth and to the Lord. Please don’t allow your affection to any person keep you from dedicating your life to serving the Lord in obedience to the truth!

Please read Galatians 4:16-20 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”

---End of Scripture verses---

In verse 7 Paul directed the minds of the Gentile Christians back to the time before they came to Christ when they worshiped idols. He said that these idols were really “by nature” not gods (verse 1). They were formed from wood or iron by the hands of men. Their crafters gave them eyes that could not see, mouths that could not talk, ears that could not hear (Psalm 15:4-8; Isaiah 44:9-20).

And even though these pathetic idols were worthless and powerless, the Gentiles were still “slaves” to their own creations (verse 1). This is actually, to a great degree, a testimony to the human condition. We have the tendency to enslave ourselves to the most menial and insignificant things. We can find ourselves wasting countless hours watching silly TV shows, playing games, surfing the web, etc. Recreation and entertainment are blessings that add a lot of value to our lives, until we allow those things to consume our lives and become idols that enslave us.

Paul told the Gentiles Christians in Galatia that when they allowed false teachers to convince them that it was necessary to observe Jewish holy days (verse 10), and various other aspects of the Law of Moses, they were actually turning back to the types of “weak and worthless elemental things” that had previously enslaved them when they had been idolaters. An inspired Apostle of Jesus Christ is telling us here that, if we worship God according to the pattern revealed in the Old Testament, we are no more approved in the Lord’s sight than an idolater would be.

Just think about that for a moment. The Old Testament is simply not the source of authority that Christians should go to in order to determine what God desires and demands in Christ’s church. The Old Testament is still the revealed word of God, and we can learn a lot of valuable information from it. It is an inspired historical account of Creation, it tells of the lives of our spiritual “forefathers”, the lineage of Jesus, the promises of God, His characteristics and attributes, and it reveals the type of hearts and behaviors that God requires of His people (1 Corinthians 10:11).

Yes, we can and should still learn from the Old Testament and gain encouragement, perseverance and hope by reading about God’s power, goodness and faithfulness (Romans 15:4). But we are not bound to it by covenant like the Jews and proselytes were before Christ came into the world. Christians are bound by covenant to the authority of the New Testament.

Please read Galatians 4:12-15 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.”

---End of Scripture verses---
Paul had written in the previous verse, “if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” In today’s verses he develops the idea of a child being an heir to show us that God’s children reach their maturity and receive their inheritance through faith in Jesus Christ. The main point being made is that people in the world (both Jews and Gentiles) were “in bondage under the elemental things of the world” (verse 3), before Christ died for the world and brought us salvation by faith.

Paul compared Israel to a child under the care of guardians (similar to the situation with the tutor in Galatians 3:24-25) when they were bound under the Law of Moses. They were considered children who had the legal status of a “slave” before they reached the age of maturity in Christ Jesus, and received the full rights of son-ship. Israel was “also” (verse 3) in a similar state as the Gentiles were with their “rudimentary” religious practices (verse 4).

In Colossians 2:8 Paul referred to “philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men” as the “elementary principles of the world.” Also in that same context he called the observance of Jewish dietary restrictions, and the observance of the Sabbath day and various holy days as “a mere shadow” and “rudimentary principles of the world” (Colossians 2:14-17, 20-23). All “sacred” practices and observances that existed before the coming of Christ were just the “A B C’s” of religion. They were just “elementary school” before “graduating” to the most excellent things.

But, “when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law” so that “we”, all Jews and Gentiles “might receive the adoption as sons.” (verses 4-5) In Christ Jesus, all the inferior, “elementary”, “rudimentary” things and their “bondage” have been cast aside and all who accept Him in obedient faith can rightly call God their “Abba! Father!”

That’s intimacy with God to its greatest degree folks! To be an “heir” of God. To be able to call Him “Abba”, much like a Jewish child would refer to his father, but a slave had no right to. Only through the Gospel. Only through Jesus. Only through a covenant relationship in Him.

Please read Galatians 4:8-11 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Before “the faith” came, that is to say, the Gospel that proclaims and produces faith in Christ, people were kept “in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed” (verse 23). In the previous verse Paul wrote that, “the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (verse 22).

Taken together we learn that people were “shut up” or “kept in bondage” under sin and under law until Christ came to provide release. Paul explains the relationship between sin and law and the victory in Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15:56-57: “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“The law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ” (verse 24). The “tutor” or “schoolmaster” was a much different position in first century Roman and Greek culture than what most of us are familiar with today.

Quoting Mike Willis in his commentary: “The paidagogos was a slave who was charged with attending an upper-class boy during his years before reaching maturity. He had the duty of conducting the boy to and from school, although he had not responsibilities as the teacher; rather, his job was to take the boy to the teacher. The paidagogos was responsible for the conduct of the boy under his care and, therefore, became a stern enforcer of morals. The boy was seldom allowed to get out of the sight of his paidagogos. Once the boy reached his maturity, he no longer needed a paidagogos but then obtained his freedom.”

Galatians by Mike Willis, Truth Commentaries, © Guardian of Truth Foundation 1994, pages 163-164

There have been many comparisons made between the “tutor” and “the Law”, but the main point Paul makes here is that Christ has released us from the “custody” of the Law, just as a boy was freed from the authority of his schoolmaster when he reached the age of maturity. The context speaks of a singular historic event that took place in the past, and that has a lasting effect on humanity and mankind’s relationship with God. When Christ brought “the faith of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:27) into the world, He fulfilled and replaced the Law of Moses (Romans 10:4).

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (verse 27). We become God’s children, not by faithful adherence to the Old Testament and the Law of Moses, but by obedient faith to Christ Jesus and to “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 1:3). We receive our “introduction” into “The Faith” when we believe in Jesus, repent of our sins, and are “baptized into Christ” for the forgiveness of sins (verse 27, Acts 2:38). When we are baptized “into” Christ, we enter into a covenant relationship with Him, and we “clothe” ourselves with Him. That is to say, we intentionally “put on” His traits, behaviors, virtues and qualities.

When we have done this (put Him on in baptism), and when we continue to do this (further adopt His qualities and Characteristics), then we truly “are Abraham’s descendants” and “heirs according to the promise” (verse 29)! 
These truths will prevail forever, no matter who reigns temporarily as kings and presidents on earth!

Please read Galatians 4:1-7 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”

---End of Scripture verses---

In today’s verses, Paul speaks to the inferiority of the Law of Moses in comparison with the promise (covenant) that God made with Abraham, and that found its fulfillment in Christ Jesus. If there had ever been a law that was able to “impart life”, then it most surely would have been the Law of Moses (verse 21). But, that is not what law was designed to do. Law only condemns someone when they violate it, and leaves them in need of pardon, forgiveness and restoration. Even in our secular legal system, when we violate the law, we can pay the proper penalty or serve the associated time, but the law still cannot clear our name, and we remain on the books as a “law breaker”.

The Law is inferior to faith because it was “added” to the covenant and therefore supplementary to it. The law was added “because of transgressions”. It was provided to reveal what sin is (Romans 3:20), and to be a deterrent for sin (1 Timothy 1:9-10). The Law of Moses is also inferior because it was intended, from the beginning, to be a temporary measure. It was added “until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.” Since Christ has been identified as “the Seed” (verse 16), the duration of the Law of Moses was from its enactment by God on Mount Sinai, until Christ fulfilled it and ended it (Romans 10:4) by keeping it perfectly and dying for everyone who could not.

The Law is inferior, as well, because it was “ordained through angels” (Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:38, 53; Hebrews 2:2-3), and given by means of a mediator (Moses). God conveyed His covenant directly to Abraham, whereas, the Law was given to Israel through two layers of separation. “God is one” (verse 20). He acted alone in granting His promise and covenant to Abraham unconditionally, whereas, there were two conflicting parties (God and Israel) involved in the giving and receiving of the Law of Moses through mediation.

“The Scripture has shut up everyone under sin” (verse 22). The Law did not grant life and freedom, but confined everyone to the death and prison of their sins. Paul wrote similarly in Romans 3:19, “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.” But God did so only to show people that everyone needs His grace, mercy and forgiveness through faith. He extended these blessings when he gave Christ Jesus “to those who believe”.

Please read Galatians 3:23-29 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is, Christ. What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Quoting Mike Willis in his commentary on Paul’s letter to the Galatians for today:

“Paul continues his defense of the gospel of justification by grace through faith by demonstrating that the promise of justification through the seed of Abraham was not altered by the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai 430 years after the covenant was made. The promise was made independently of the Law; it was a covenant between God and Abraham. The nature of even a human agreement is such that neither party has the liberty of imposing conditions upon the other after the covenant is made. By demonstrating that the promise was made prior to the Law and that justification is based on the covenant given to Abraham, Paul shows that our justification is not based on perfect obedience to the Law of Moses.

“The covenant with Abraham was centered around the Messianic promise. Anyone familiar with the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament or the writings of the Jews of the first century is aware that God’s covenant with Abraham centered around the promise of a Messiah. That God’s covenant with Abraham included the salvation of men through the Messiah was stated by Paul in v. 8. When God spoke to Abraham saying, ‘In thee shall all nations be blessed,’ he foretold, ‘that God would justify the heathen by faith’ (v. 8). Hence, the covenant that God made with Abraham in the beginning was clearly aimed at the salvation of the world through a descendant of Abraham. The covenant that God made with Abraham was not fulfilled at the death of Abraham, for it included his seed as well; the seed to which God referred was Christ.

“In many of the passages of Genesis in which a reference is made to Abraham’s seed in giving the covenant, the primary interest of the passage was the land promise (that the land of Canaan would be given to Abraham’s descendants). However, Israel understood the covenant that God made with Abraham to include more than the making of a great nation from his descendants and the giving of the land of Canaan to his posterity. Israel did not conclude that God’s covenant with Abraham was completely fulfilled when Joshua led them to conquer the land of Canaan. The covenant that God made with Abraham was fulfilled in the sending of the Christ to die for the sins of mankind in order that all nations of the world might receive salvation through his blood (‘in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed’).”

Galatians by Mike Willis, Truth Commentaries, © Guardian of Truth Foundation 1994, pages 143-144

Please read Galatians 3:19-22 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

-Louie Taylor

“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.’ Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘The righteous man shall live by faith.’ However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, He who practices them shall live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’ — in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

---End of Scripture verses---

In today’s verses, Paul quotes several verses from the old law to demonstrate that no one can be justified by that law. Deuteronomy 27:26 was quoted to show that the law only “curses” people who do not abide in “all” the things written in it (verse 10). As we’ve noted before, once you’ve broken one law in “the book of the law” you are guilty of the whole law and condemned by it (James 2:10). The law only condemns and cannot save. That’s why God had planned from eternity to send Jesus into the world as the Savior that every single person needs (Ephesians 3:11).

God has always has, and will always, save people by their obedient faith in Him, and not by a system of law-keeping (verse 11). Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4 to show that the very law the Galatians were reverting to confirmed the truth that “The righteous man shall live by faith,” and not by “the works of the Law”. Leviticus 18:5 was quoted to show that only “he who practices” the laws of God perfectly “shall live by them” eternally, if he is seeking justification by the law and not by faith in God (verse 12).

So, anyone who attempts to be saved, redeemed, justified, proclaimed righteous by keeping God’s law will only be frustrated, lost and cursed, because only by perfect law-keeping can a person achieve that goal. But “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us (verse 13). We still have to keep God’s laws and we will be condemned if we do not try. But, since we will all fall short of keeping them perfectly, we need God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness that He extends to us through faith in His Son Jesus.

“He who is hanged on a tree is accursed of God” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Jesus assumed the curse of God for us when he was crucified on Calvary’s “tree”. When He died for our sins, he “became sin for us.” “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus, who committed no sins, paid the penalty that we deserve for our own sins, so that we can live eternally by His sacrifice and blood, and by our obedient faith in Him.

It doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, American, Mexican, German, Russian, Venezuelan, black, brown, tan, white, old, young, middle-aged, male, female. All that matters is that you “receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (verse 14). Then you will have “the blessings of Abraham” that are given only “in Christ Jesus” (verse 14).

Please read Galatians 3:15-18 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in you.’ So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Paul had asked the question in the previous verse, “So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” (verse 5). The obvious answer is that God administered His gifts from the Holy Spirit through faith, and not through works of the Law. “Even so,” Abraham was justified by faith as well.

In verses 1-5 Paul appealed to the Galatians’ personal experience to remind them that they were justified by God’s grace through their faith, and not by the works of the Law of Moses. In today’s verses he showed them that even Abraham, the father of all the faithful (Romans 4:12, 16), was justified in the same way—when he heard God’s commands and believed and obeyed them by faith.

We must stress that this exemplary faith of Abraham was not “belief only”. Abraham believed God, AND he also obeyed the Lord at His every command. The faith that saves always requires “works of obedience” even though “works of law” can never justify a person in the sight of God.

Consider what is said in James 2:21-23: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of God.”

Also consider what the Hebrew writer wrote about Abraham: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10)

The fact that God told Abraham that He would bless “all the nations” though him was a proclamation of the Gospel itself (verse 8). The Good News was that “all the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3) would be blessed through the “seed” of Abraham (Christ – verse 16), when they believed in that “seed” and imitated Abraham’s good example of faith.

Two points of emphasis are made in this prophecy. First, “all nations” would be blessed—people from both Jewish and Gentile families. Secondly, the method would be through faith and not perfect obedience to the Law of Moses. It was because of Abraham’s faith that God “reckoned” or “accredited” righteousness to him. No matter how nice and upright someone might be, unless a person believes God’s word and exhibits obedient faith like father Abraham did, he is not considered “righteous” (in a right standing) with the Lord.

Please read Galatians 3:10-14 for tomorrow.

Blessings!

-Louie Taylor

“You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”

---End of Scripture verses---

Paul now turns his attention from defending himself to defending the Gospel. In the first 5 verses of chapter 3 he appeals to the personal experience of the Galatians to remind them that they were justified by God’s grace through their own faith in Christ Jesus, and not by the works of the Law of Moses. Paul called his brethren “foolish” because they had nullified the grace of God in favor of a fulfilled and defunct law that could not save their souls. “For if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly” (Galatians 2:21).

It was as if someone had “bewitched” them, or placed them under a spell because, for the life of Paul, he couldn’t understand why anyone one who was thinking clearly and acting under their own volition would do such a foolish thing! Paul had focused so intently on preaching salvation through the death of Jesus Christ, it was if the crucified Savior had been held up before them to see with their own eyes. “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

But now, after having received the Holy Spirit’s gift of salvation through faith in believing His inspired revelation about Christ, they were seeking perfection through bodily procedures such as physical circumcision (Galatians 5:3-4). They were pursuing spiritual excellence through feckless, fleshly practices. They had gladly believed and received the Spirit’s appeal, and had even suffered persecution because of their faith in Christ, and now it was as if it had all been “in vain” (verse 4).

It must be so very frustrating and sickening to God when, after He draws His children out of the darkness of sin and into the light of His Son, they choose to go back to the bleak, barren, sinful, carnal world. It’s like watching a washed hog writhing in its own excrement and a sick dog eating his own vomit (2 Peter 2:20-22). To leave the excellence and security of Christ for the passing, paltry pleasures of sin is the height of foolishness!

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:7-8)

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14).

Please read Galatians 3:6-9 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Paul is still addressing the hypocrisy of Peter and his other Jewish brethren in Galatia who stopped eating with Gentile Christians when certain men from “the party of the circumcision” paid them a visit (verses 11-14). The fact that Paul’s brethren who were “Jews by nature” turned to Christ for salvation was ample proof that they knew they could not be justified by the Law of Moses (verses 15-16). God had shown Peter that all the dietary restrictions associated with the Law of Moses had been abolished as well, along with all the prejudices that the nation of Israel had attached to them.
The Holy Spirit had made it clear to Peter that he could go in to the Gentiles and freely associate with them (Acts 10:20; 11:1-18). If it was actually sinful for Peter to eat with Gentiles after God told him that it was not, then Christ had become “a minister of sin” (verse 18). But of course, this was not the case. The problem was that many of the Jewish Christians had a hard time letting go of the Law and their national prejudices. They were either holding on to it, or trying to “rebuild” it in certain situations (verse 18).

Peter was a hypocrite because he “rebuilt” what he once had “destroyed”. This made him guilty as a sinner either way he went. If it was right for him to abide by the Law of Moses, then he never should have “destroyed” it in the first place. If it was wrong to go back to that Law, then he was “rebuilding” something that was better left in the annals of history. There’s really nowhere to turn when we get caught up in the sin of hypocrisy. You simply can’t play both sides of an issue and come out looking good to the people on either side of that issue, or to God in heaven. God wants us to be “all in” with Christ and totally committed to the way of truth and righteousness.

“For through the Law I died to the Law” (verse 19). I can think of at least two ways that this is true. First of all, once you violate the law, you are condemned by it and therefore “dead” spiritually speaking (Romans 7:9-10). Law does not save but only condemns. Secondly, the Law of Moses itself foretold that there would come a time when God would make a new covenant with His people (Jeremiah 31:31-34). When the heavenly Father sent Jesus into the world to die for the sins of the world and establish this new covenant, the Law was effectively “completed” and “ended” (Romans 10:4).

Since Christ gave His life to accomplish for us what the law could never possibly do, we should give our lives completely TO Him and live our lives solely FOR Him. Have you been crucified with Christ so that you may live through Him (verse 20)? You do that through the waters of baptism, when you make the determination to turn from your sins and bury that old person of sin in that watery grave (Romans 6:3-6). Only then can you truly “arise” to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4

Christ gave himself up for us (verse 20)! We need to give ourselves up for Him!

Please read Galatians 3:1-5 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’”

---End of Scripture verses---

Well it turns out that the Apostle Peter was not infallible after all. He allowed “peer pressure” to compel him to do something that he knew was not right. Peter knew that Jewish dietary restrictions were no longer in force in God’s covenant with mankind through Christ Jesus because the Lord had made that clear to him (Acts 10:16). God had also made it obvious to Peter that it was okay for Jews to eat with Gentiles (Acts 11:3). All foolish human prejudices are broken down by Christ Jesus. The Lord died for all people of all nationalities and societal classes (Matthew 28:19; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

While Peter was working among the brethren in the church at Antioch, some influential Jewish Christians came down from Jerusalem and saw Peter living and eating LIKE the Gentiles, and eating WITH the Gentiles. Instead of standing up for the truth and defending the equality of his Gentile Christian brethren, Peter buckled under the pressure and prejudices of his Jewish cronies and played the hypocrite. And, before we get too quick to judge Peter and come down too hard on him, please notice that the pressure to conform was so great that even Barnabas, the son of encouragement, was “carried away by their hypocrisy”!

Think about that imagery for a moment. Pressure from “the crowd” is depicted here as a “flash flood” that can pick us up and carry us away into a river of sin and hypocrisy. If we think that we are immune to such coercion and hypocrisy, think again. An inspired Apostle of Jesus Christ sinned openly and publicly because of peer pressure! And Barnabas, one of the most godly men to ever walk the face of the earth, caved into it as well! Beware evil influences! They corrupt good morals!

Paul’s point in bringing that unfortunate and embarrassing incident up was not to smear the names of Peter and Barnabas. Paul was still defending the legitimacy of his apostleship and the genuineness of his gospel. Paul had dedicated his life to teaching the Good News that Christ Jesus died for all people to unite them into one, undivided body. When he “opposed Peter to his face” for not living according to the gospel that he preached, he validated both his own teaching and his own authority as an Apostle. Even though Peter’s response in not recorded, the implication is that he acknowledged his error and made the necessary correction.

Please read Galatians 2:15-21 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) — well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Paul was not disparaging Peter, John and James (the Lord’s brother) with his comments in today’s verses, but defending his position and authority as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul said that it made “no difference” to him that they “were of high reputation” and they “were reputed to be pillars”; and he only said this because it obviously made a huge difference to the false teachers in Galatia.

Those “Judaizers” took the fact that Paul had not been a personal companion of Jesus as James and the other Apostles had been, and tried to use it against him. They wanted to make Paul appear to be inferior to the prominent Jerusalem leaders in the eyes of the Galatian brethren. Paul implied that Peter, John and James acknowledged the authenticity of his teaching, and the legitimacy and equality of his apostleship, when they extended “the right hand of fellowship” to him (verse 9).

While there was no difference in their authority and teaching, there WAS recognized a general difference in their sphere’s of operation and influence. Paul preached, mainly but not exclusively, to the Gentiles. Peter’s influence extended, mainly but not exclusively, to the Jewish communities. Some people in the religious world use this and other passages to teach that there was a difference in the substance and a limitation of the outreach of Peter’s and Paul’s gospel. But that would fly right in the face of what the book of Galatians and the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15 clearly teaches us.

There is only one Gospel (Galatians 1:8-9)! Even if an angel from heaven were to teach a different gospel he would be accursed by God and should be rejected by humanity! Both Jews and Gentiles are saved in the exact same ways (Acts 15:9). All people are saved by God’s grace through obedient faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8). That does not preclude the fact that Jewish and Gentile converts come from different backgrounds and need to be approached with the truth from different directions. But the differences were only in techniques and customs and knowledge base.

We must remember that Peter taught the Gospel to the Gentiles assembled in Cornelius’ house (Acts 10:23-48), and Paul’s custom was to preach in the Jewish synagogues before he taught the Gentiles whenever he entered into a new city (Acts 13:14; 14:1; 17:1; 18:4; 19:8). There is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles in the eyes of God, there was none to Peter and Paul, and there should be no difference with us as well. All people are equally important and all need the ONE Gospel of Jesus Christ to save their immortal souls!

Please read Galatians 2:11-14 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

In today’s reading I believe Paul is adding more detail to what took place at the “Jerusalem Conference” that is recorded in Acts 15:1-35. In that text it was settled once and for all that a person did not need to be circumcised or keep any part of the Law of Moses in order to be a Christian. Paul points out in his letter to the Galatians that this meeting was actually God’s doing—that he “went up” to Jerusalem “because of a revelation” (verse 2). God put this issue to rest once and for all. Even though the matter had already been settled in heaven, there was enough question and disturbance surrounding it that the conclusion needed to be decreed by apostolic authority.

The “false brethren” who were secretly brought in (verse 4), were “some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed.” They said, referring to Gentile converts, that ‘It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses’” (Acts 15:5). Titus was taken with Paul and Barnabas as a “test case”. It was determined that he did not need to be circumcised as a matter of custom or command (verse 3). The “liberty” that the false brethren had “spied out” was a Christian’s freedom from keeping a defunct law that only served to place them in “bondage” (verse 5).

The Apostle Peter stood up in the private meeting of Apostles and leaders in that conference in Jerusalem and put it this way: “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." (Acts 15:10-11) Both Jews and Gentiles were and are saved in the same way—by God’s grace and not adherence to a law that was too cumbersome to keep, and that only condemned and did not save. Once you break the Law of Moses you are condemned by it, no matter how many “good works” you perform in an attempt to try and reverse the condemnation.

The reason why Paul brings this meeting up in his epistle to the Galatians is twofold. Firstly, he made mention that he “submitted to them the gospel” which he preached (verse 1), and it was not challenged by the other Apostles gathered in that meeting. Paul is still defending the legitimacy of his apostleship and the authenticity of “his” gospel. Secondly, the results of bringing Titus with him and the determination that he did not need to be circumcised, also worked in Paul’s favor. The false teachers that Paul was defending himself against in Galatia were the same types of “Judaizers” that were thwarted in the Jerusalem Counsel. Win. Win.

Please read Galatians 2:6-10 for tomorrow.

Happy Lord's Day!

-Louie Taylor

“Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother. (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, 'He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.' And they were glorifying God because of me.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Imagine that the best player in the nation plays on the sports team that beats your favorite team on a regular basis. Then imagine him leaving the “enemy” and joining your team. Or imagine you are a member of Saul’s army, and you witness Goliath having a “spiritual awakening” and joining forces with Israel to fight against the Philistines. There would be much rejoicing on your side!

Christianity’s greatest enemy, one fully committed to and furiously focused on utterly destroying the church of Jesus Christ, is now fighting with all his strength to defend and advance the cause of Christ (verse 23)! You can understand why the Christians in Judea “were glorifying God because of” Paul (verse 24)! Even though they had only heard this and not seen it with their own eyes. Even though they were still a bit apprehensive of having Paul walking in their midst (Acts 9:26).

Paul is still defending his credibility as an “independent” apostle here, and the authenticity of his inspiration, and he will continue to do so in the next chapter as well. He wrote that he finally got the chance to make the acquaintance of Peter (Cephas) and James (the brother of Jesus), three years after his conversion to Christ. He had already been preaching the Gospel for three full years before he had even met any of the “Original Twelve”.

Paul was not actually calling James an apostle in the same sense that Peter was. James, the Lord’s brother, was a prominent leader in the church at Jerusalem and "one sent forth" to proclaim the Truth, although he was not one of the Lord's special, inspired, authorized ambassadors. But the main point is that Paul did not require the endorsement or instruction of prominent men such as Peter and James to carry out the Lord’s work that Jesus himself had commissioned him to do.

Paul was a “chosen vessel”, hand-selected by the Lord, to effectively serve His purposes. This has to be one of the great “surprise stories” in all the Bible. All good things are possible with the Lord. The conversion of Paul teaches us that we should never give up on anybody. If God can turn and use a man like Paul, who demonstrated himself to be “the foremost” of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), His word and will can potentially touch anyone!

Please read Galatians 2:1-5 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.”

---End of Scripture verses---

The Gospel that Paul preached, and the entire Bible for that matter, is not “according” to man (verse 11), and not “from” man (verse 12). Paul did not receive the Gospel that he preached “from” another human being. He was not taught the truth by Peter or John or any of the other inspired apostles. Paul was not with the original “Twelve” when they received “power from on high” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4), and were miraculously inspired by the Holy Spirit to know and speak “all the truth” (John 16:13). But, he received his complete, inspired knowledge of “all the truth” miraculously “through a revelation of Jesus Christ” himself (verse 12). On the idea that the Gospel is not “according” to man, Mike Willis wrote the following in his commentary:

“The idea is that the gospel is not according to the will or after the manner or thought of a man. The gospel runs contrary to everything which man could ever imagine. Who would have thought of devising a plan whereby man would receive eternal life through a dying Savior? The gospel is contrary to things which characterize human style; it is divine in its content, form, and quality. Elsewhere Paul stated the same truth by saying, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him’ (1 Cor. 2:9). Man could never have devised or invented the gospel because it is so contrary to man’s manner of thinking. Hence, the gospel which Paul preached could not have been a mere human invention because it is not according to man.” (page 23 of Gospel of Truth Foundation commentary on Galatians)

Paul, defending the legitimacy of his apostleship and inspiration, gave evidence that the Gospel he preached was of divine and not human origin. He reminded them of what the Galatians had already heard and known to be true about him. How that his life’s goal and mission was to obliterate the church of Jesus Christ prior to the time that Lord blinded him on the road to Damascus and turned his life around (Acts 9:1-19). He said that he used to persecute Christ’s church “beyond measure and tried to destroy it” (verse 13). But, when God called Paul and subsequently revealed His will to him (verses 15-16), he did not go to Jerusalem to consult with and learn from the “original” Apostles (verse 17). There were other reasons for this, but the main point Paul is making in these verses is that he didn’t NEED to. Paul went straight into Arabia and back to Damascus with the Gospel that Jesus had revealed directly to him and preached it “among the Gentiles” (verse 16).

I am so thankful for the wonderful Christians who played such an important part in teaching me the truth and turning me in the direction of the Lord. I would hate to think how my life would have turned out without their help. But, it is comforting to know that the Bible is readily accessible and understandable to mankind today. As with Paul, God’s revelation is available to us, and we don’t have to (and we shouldn’t) wait around for other people to show us the truth. While no one today will receive a “direct revelation” like Paul did; “all the truth” that we need to know to be saved and stay saved, has been recorded and preserved for us, in the pages of the Bible. On Judgment Day, no one will be able to make the excuse that they didn’t and couldn’t know the truth!

Please read Galatians 1:18-24 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Anyone who would “distort” or “pervert” the Gospel of Jesus Christ in any way, actually change it to a “different gospel” (verses 7-8). You cannot alter the truth. You cannot change the gospel in any way without distorting it and creating a perversion of it. Even if an angel from heaven encouraged us to do this, it would not be acceptable and it would incur God’s displeasure (verses 8-9). When we alter the word of God and teach others to do the same, we are accursed by God. An “accursed” thing is “something delivered up to divine wrath, dedicated to destruction and brought under a curse”. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)

There were some teachers in Galatia who perverted the gospel by trying to combine it with parts of the Law of Moses. Some insisted that a Christian had to be circumcised in order to be saved (Galatians 5:1-6), and required the observance of Jewish holy days (Galatians 4:9-11). If any addition were acceptable it would certainly have been aspects of the Old Testament because that is actually the inspired revelation of God. But, God has enacted a New Covenant with mankind through Jesus Christ which has superseded and replaced God’s former covenant with Israel (Romans 10:4; Hebrews 10:9). Anyone who appeals to the Old Testament as the authority source for their religious practices functions outside the realm of God’s approved standard (the New Testament) and is accursed.

We are repeatedly warned in the Bible to not ADD TO or SUBTRACT FROM the word of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:19). Either one of these actions is a perversion of the gospel. Only the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is accepted by and pleasing to God.

Examples of adding to the word of God: Priests in a church. Worshiping Mary. Church raffles to raise money. Women preachers. Homosexual “pastors”. Worshiping God with manmade instruments of music. Taking the Lord’s Supper on Saturday. Most of these are not merely additions, but actually direct violations against God’s clear truth.

Examples of taking away from God’s word: Only teaching the positive and not the negative aspects of the Bible. Refusing to exercise “church discipline” on an erring Christian. Refusing to assemble with God’s people on the first day of the week. Teaching that baptism is not essential for salvation.

To say that we are not bound by the authority of the Old Testament is not taking away from the word of God. Yes, the Old Testament is a very important part of the Bible. But it has been relegated by God Himself to the status of a “teaching tool”. “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). We can learn about God and His nature, and that He demands obedience and righteousness from His people, no matter what covenant they may have lived under. But, we are not bound to the “religious ordinances” of the Old Testament, such as animal sacrifices, attending temple feasts, burning incense, etc.

To practice those things would be to depart from the gospel, be severed from Christ and fall from God’s grace (Galatians 5:4).

Please read Galatians 1:11-17 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Just a brief introductory from the Apostle Paul before we get into the meat of the epistle. At the start we can see that he is a bit on the defensive, feeling the need to stress his credentials as a legitimate Apostle, hand-selected by Jesus Christ himself. Paul defends his apostleship quite a bit in this letter because of the false teachers that had come into the region discrediting Paul and slandering his reputation. Unlike these “wolves” who only wielded human authority while peddling their damnable doctrines, Paul was an authorized and inspired ambassador who preached the Truth “through Jesus Christ and God the Father.”

Paul prayed “grace and peace” for the brethren, even though many of them had begun to behave ungraciously and hostilely toward him. Grace is undeserved favor and peace is a harmonious relationship with God. Grace and peace can only be found through faith and obedience to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Lord. Peace here is not merely a feeling of “serenity” but a condition and position of “friendship” with God through the blood of His Son, which appeased God’s wrath and quelled the hostility that our sins produced (Romans 5:1-8; Colossians 1:20). With this condition of peace restored, we can enjoy the peace (serenity) that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). It is through God’s grace that His children receive His peace.

Jesus “gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us…” (verse 4). Sin is such a huge deal and such a destructive force! Most people hardly even use the word anymore and even acknowledge its existence in their lives. But we all sin. And sin will kill us. For eternity. If we are not rescued from it. We all need Jesus! We need to accept God’s grace by believing in His Son and obeying from the heart every command of the Gospel. We will not be perfect in our obedience and God does not expect us to. But when we’ve been baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, God is faithful to forgive us if we confess our sins (1 John 1:1-9), and repent of them in godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).

Okay, maybe there was a bit of meat there after all!

Please read Galatians 1:6-10 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

I will be quoting the introductory remarks from the Guardian of Truth Foundation Commentary on Galatians written by Mike Willis to introduce this letter to the group today.

“The book of Galatians is rightly called the ‘Magna Carta of Christians Liberty.’ Few books have made such a lasting impression upon men’s minds as has the epistle of Paul to the Galatians. This book maintains that man is justified by grace through faith separate and apart from the works of the Mosaical Law. Consequently, Galatians had a tremendous influence on first century Christianity. At first men viewed Christians as another sect of the Jews, somewhat similar to the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and Zealots; but the impact of the revelation that man is justified through Jesus Christ without circumcision and obedience to the Law of Moses gradually modified this perception of Christianity. Preaching this gospel to Gentiles and Jews alike signaled the major turning point, and Christianity eventually became a world religion separate from Judaism. Thus, Paul’s letter to the Galatians contributed tremendously to the early development of Christianity by helping to establish the concept of justification through faith in Jesus Christ apart from the Law of Moses.

“Martin Luther found the book of Galatians to be useful during his battles with Roman Catholicism. He loved the epistle and referred to it affectionately as his ‘Katie,’ as if he were wedded to it. Luther used Galatians to show that man cannot earn his way to heaven. Hence, he concluded that the Catholic doctrine of accumulation of merit through good works was false to the core. The book became a cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation.

“The message of Galatians is eternal. Men still need to be taught that justification occurs through the precious blood of Jesus Christ rather than through perfect obedience to the Mosaical Law or any other legal system. Men still need to understand the implications of reverting to the Mosaical Law for authority in religious matters, whether that item be circumcision, the observance of religious holy days, the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, a separate priesthood, tithing, or whatever. Hence, the impact of this small book continues to the present. Galatians is as pertinent to the twentieth century as it was to the first.”

---End of commentary quotation---

Please keep in mind that any reference to what took place during the “Protestant Reformation” does not imply that I or the author of the commentary endorse or follow all the principles or teaching that resulted from it. I certainly do not consider myself to be a Protestant. My religion is not a “protest” against anything but worldliness and false doctrine. I am a Christian and only a Christian. And, while a “reformation” may have been a good start at taking corrective action against religious error, I believe that nothing short of a “restoration” of “the church” back to the original teaching, beliefs and practices of the New Testament is pleasing and acceptable to God.

I will also add that this letter, unlike many others written by Paul to a specific person or congregation, was written to an entire region of Asia Minor. It is disputed which region of Galatia that Paul specifically wrote this letter to. Some think it was the lesser known northern region, and others believe it was written to the southern region. This southern region would have included churches in cities that we know Paul had a pivotal role in the establishment of on his first preaching journey. Cities such as Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. I personally believe it was written to the southern region of Galatia, but in the end it really doesn’t matter because a person’s view of the original recipients doesn’t change or affect a good understanding of the text.

Please read Galatians 1:1-5 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day! 

-Louie Taylor