Day 331

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Galatians Introduction

After Paul's first missionary journey, the Jerusalem council (Acts 15) acknowledged that a person need not become a convert to Judaism in order to become a Christian. But Paul continues to struggle with those who would add the requirements of the Jewish law to the simple message of salvation. And the Galatians were prime offenders. Paul's letter warns them to stop following this false teaching, because justification is by faith. Freedom in Christ, he notes, means freedom to produce the fruits of righteousness through a Spirit-led lifestyle.

Scripture

November 26—Galatians 1-6: Freedom in Christ

Observation

Paul's epistle to the Galatians is an attempt to avert disaster. Having launched their Christian experience by faith, the Galatians now seem willing to leave their faith voyage and chart a new and misguided course based on works. Paul blends boldness with benevolence as he repudiates the bondage the Galatians have imposed on themselves. After reminding them that it is through grace, not law, that heaven is obtained, Paul goes on to show that it is in the Spirit, not the flesh, that the Christian life is successfully lived. Freedom in Christ means freedom to produce the fruits of righteousness through a Spirit-led lifestyle.

Application

There is a popular concept of freedom today that goes something like this: I'm free to do whatever I please. It's a "freedom" without restraints: no law, no authority, no responsibility. And ironically, it's a "freedom" that leads to bondage.

Why? Because such "freedom" is not liberty at all, but slavery to the desires of your sinful nature (5:16). That kind of "freedom" leads only to evil results (5:19-21).

By contrast, the Biblical view of freedom is described in 5:1, 24. One who is a Christian has been set free from bondage and obligation to sin. "Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there" (5:24). And the result of such genuine spiritual freedom is genuine spiritual fruit (5:22-23).

Exercise your Christian liberty today. You have the freedom to say "No" (as well as "Yes") to the works of the flesh and the urgings of the Spirit. Which will it be? In one crucial area of your life, make your free choice to say "No!" to sin and "Yes!" to God. That's your powerful privilege in Christ!

Prayer

We pray, Lord God, that your church would never stop meeting together even during the pandemic. But will come together to worship you using the tools available to us today—the online formats. We pray for our church worship because we know without prayer our church would be like a body without spirit; it would be dead and lifeless. But with prayer in our church, you are in our midst. We pray for increased faith amongst our church members to remind them through grace we obtain eternity and through the Spirit we are able to live successful Christian lives. Help us in our daily walk to be spiritually-minded churchgoers. In Jesus' name we pray! Amen! 

Praying Churchgoers





© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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