Posts that reference the book of Galatians

No Favorites

By Paula Wiseman

For God has no favorites. Galatians 2:6 NLT

First Place
He doesn’t prefer one type or profile.

He’s not impressed by pedigree or résumé the way we are.

He has no quotas to fill, and no cut-offs.

God will use anyone – red-neck fisherman or college boy.

Even former chemist, stay-at-home mom, writer-types.

All He’s looking for is willingness.

Willingness to learn … and go … and do.

Are you in?

Veterans Day

By Paula Wiseman

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

Today we honor all those who have served our country.

Several years ago, I read this quote, “A veteran is someone who, at some point, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including his or her life.”

We as believers could learn much from their example.

Their choice.

Their commitment.

Their surrender of their own agenda.

Their support of each other.

Their sacrifices, both small and great, on behalf of others.

May God bless the veterans for their service and their example.

The Minor Prophets are so named not because their messages were any less important or inspired but because their writings were shorter. Often God called them to deliver one specific message and then they went back to their vocation. We're in the process of looking at what makes these short books relevant and worth a closer look.

Habakkuk is unique because it more of a conversion between the prophet and God rather than a message for the people. He very frankly pours out his bewilderment over God's ways, His treatment of His people and the seeming prosperity of the enemy. Scholars give the days immediately following the death of Josiah as the most likely timeframe for Habakkuk's writing.

Some study tips-

What are Habakkuk's complaints or questions to God? How does God respond?
What will happen to the wicked?
Chapter 3 is a prayer after Habakkuk. What does the prophet say about God?
Habakkuk means "to embrace." What does he ultimately cling to?

Bonus:

Habakkuk 2:4 "the just shall live by his faith" is quoted in the New Testament – Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38. How do those passages relate to the Old Testament theme?

Chapter 3:17-19 are some of my favorite verses. I paraphrased them in Precedent this way – Even though I have nothing now, no hope for tomorrow and no prospect that anything is ever going to change for the better, I WILL CHOOSE to rejoice in God, my God, my salvation. He is my strength and He enables me to walk through these fires with confidence, like it was my natural habitat.

Next week: Zephaniah

Study Tip: Galatians

By Paula Wiseman

In Galatians Paul gets down to the central question of Christianity – How are we made right with God – by what we believe or by what we do?

Galatians was written for a group of new believers at churches Paul planted. They were very sincere in their desire to please God, but they were easily led astray. Paul wanted to get them back on track as quickly as possible. The apostle doesn't pull any punches. The tone is occasionally harsh but always passionate. After all, someone is messing with his (spiritual) kids and he takes it personally.

Some ways to study Galatians

Follow the key theme – justification. What does it mean? How does it happen? What does the Law have to do with it? And the $64,000 question, are believers required to keep the Mosaic law (or any other set of rules)?

The Apostle Paul – In chapters 1-2 we get a good deal of information about Paul. In later chapters, his concerns for the church shows through. What biographical things do you learn about Paul? Look at his account of the Jerusalem council in ch. 2. What was the major issue at that meeting? How was it resolved? How did that apply to the Galatians?

Justification by Law vs. Justification by Faith – How does Paul make his case? Keep a list of what he says about the Law. What does it do? What does the illustration about Isaac and Ishmael mean in chapter 4. Why is faith better (esp. chapter 5)?

Practical applications – What do you learn about living a Christian life, especially about living with each other (esp. chapter 6)?

The bottom line-

I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me. Galatians 2:20

Preventing Chafing

By Paula Wiseman

I have now run enough to get chafed. I'm not sure if that's a good milestone or a bad one, but it is a memorable one. The sting will transform that relaxing, post-run shower into a prying-yourself-from-the-ceiling moment. (Or worse, depending on where you happen to get chafed.)

It is almost solely a result of wearing the wrong type of clothing. Like cotton. I love cotton, but it quickly gets wet and having that wet clothing rubbing against you for a few miles is the easiest recipe for chafing.

Living around other folks we're bound to get chafed, too. With some people, it's their superpower, rubbing you the wrong way with everything they say or do. Just like with running, the key to preventing chafing is carefully choosing what you put on. In my quick search of the New Testament, I found these:

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:27

"…put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:24

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering" Colossians 3:12

"But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." Colossians 3:14

Christ, the new man, tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering and love. See if those don't cut down on chafing.

Study Tip: If…Then

By Paula Wiseman

interlocking gold gears on a red background

Last week we started a discussion of some signpost words to help guide you through your Bible study. We learned to watch for "therefore" and the conclusions or reasons it points to. This week, we have a different kind of concluding signpost: The If – then team.

You'll find the if-then anytime the writer is trying to build a case leading to a logical conclusion. If the premise is true, then the conclusion must be.

Paul uses it regularly in his letters. For example, in defending the grace of God as the means of salvation, he says: "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Galatians 2:21

The statement prompts you to stop and examine the premise part, the "if" part. Does righteousness come from the law? Well no. It comes from the grace of God. To agree with the premise means you must accept the conclusion that Christ dies in vain. We know He didn't. Paul knew his readers wouldn't accept that conclusion either, so they'd would have to go back and reexamine their ideas about righteousness, grace and the law.

However, you are much more likely to see the "if" without the "then". It's implied. Logically it's still there as part of the argument. Honestly, I doubt we even notice it's missing. Here area few more examples.

[I]f anyone is in Christ, (then) he is a new creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17
If we confess our sins, (then) He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
If anyone thirsts, (then) let him come to Me and drink. John 7:37

So, when you see that "if" marker slow down and take notice.

What is the premise (the "if" part)?

And what is the conclusion (the "then" part)?

What do you learn from them?