These are some thoughts as I was pondering Galatians 4:8-20. I pray you may find some benefit...
COMMANDS
* Become like Paul and be joyful
* they were joyful, and Paul became like they were before.
* they treated Paul like an Angel
* they would have poked their eyes out for him
TRUTHS
* A person does not know God before they embrace the gospel. A person is not known be God either.
* Before a person is a Christian, they are a slaves to weak and miserable principles of the world.
* like seeking acceptance from God through my works
* like seeking justification through law keeping
* When we share truth with others, we can become their enemies. If they are not willing to be unshackled from their slavery to sin, materialism, and humanism; Christianity can be seen as hateful. For it is the truth that sets us free.
* False teachers generally try to win you over to them. They wish to alienate us from the people who preach, share, and live the truth of Gods Word.
* Zeal is good, provided it is pointed at the right source, namely Jesus Christ and his truth. Zeal is also good if it is constant. It is not good to have zeal like a roller-coaster.
*A pastor's heart should be akin to labor pains when professing Christians are seeking and being led astray by another gospel.
EXHORTATIONS
* When we are loving and embracing toward those who share the truth of Christ, or other Christians; we are to treat them as if they were Jesus himself. And we are to do this joyfully.
WHAT CAN I TAKE FROM THIS?
* I not only know God, but I am known by God. I have been set free from my slavery to sin, and slavery to weak and miserable principles of personal autonomy, humanism, and materialism. This truth should produce a constant, zealous joy that is aimed at Jesus and his truth. My affections should not be determined by my circumstances. They should be rooted in the eternal God who knows and loves me.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Living by the Spirit
We are lightly studying through the book of Galatians as a family. These are just some thoughts I had while looking at chapter 3:26-4:7. Maybe they may be of interest to someone.
Galatians 4.6
Living by the Spirit is:
* Submitting to God's Law. Romans 8:7
* Putting to death the sinful deeds of the body. Romans 8:13
* Having a heart that calls out to the Fatherhood of God. Galatians 4:6
* Having a love that abounds, but that is controlled by depth of insight and knowledge. Philippians 1:9
* Discerning what is pure and blameless until Jesus comes back, or I die. Philippians 1:10
* Being filled with the fruit of righteousness. My life will be characterized by righteousness. Philippians 1:11
* Searching the Scriptures for Jesus with intensity and great care. 1 Peter 1:11
* Being filled with the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23
* Putting to death, and crucifying my sinful passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
THE TEXT OF GALATIANS 3.26-4.7
* Becoming a son of God is through faith in Christ Jesus
* Through faith in Christ Jesus, we become sons of God.
* Any race, creed, color, or sex can become a son of God. There is no distinction.
* A son of God is also a child and heir of Abraham.
* The sign of baptism is closely linked with faith in Christ. It does not merit salvation but it is appropriate to speak in these terms while addressing believers.
Galatians 4.6
Living by the Spirit is:
* Submitting to God's Law. Romans 8:7
* Putting to death the sinful deeds of the body. Romans 8:13
* Having a heart that calls out to the Fatherhood of God. Galatians 4:6
* Having a love that abounds, but that is controlled by depth of insight and knowledge. Philippians 1:9
* Discerning what is pure and blameless until Jesus comes back, or I die. Philippians 1:10
* Being filled with the fruit of righteousness. My life will be characterized by righteousness. Philippians 1:11
* Searching the Scriptures for Jesus with intensity and great care. 1 Peter 1:11
* Being filled with the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23
* Putting to death, and crucifying my sinful passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
THE TEXT OF GALATIANS 3.26-4.7
* Becoming a son of God is through faith in Christ Jesus
* Through faith in Christ Jesus, we become sons of God.
* Any race, creed, color, or sex can become a son of God. There is no distinction.
* A son of God is also a child and heir of Abraham.
* The sign of baptism is closely linked with faith in Christ. It does not merit salvation but it is appropriate to speak in these terms while addressing believers.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Some Sweet Verses On The Love Of God
The Love of God
Galatians 3:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who 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."
Romans 8:37-39 "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Ephesians 5:1-2 "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 sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."
1 John 4:10 "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Revelation 1:5b "To Him who loves us and releases us from our sins by His blood."
Galatians 3:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who 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."
Romans 8:37-39 "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Ephesians 5:1-2 "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 sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."
1 John 4:10 "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Revelation 1:5b "To Him who loves us and releases us from our sins by His blood."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)