Galatians 5 June 30, 2013

So, this evening reference was Galatians 5. of course, the immediate reference of Galatians 5:22 came to mind. You know the one. The one that speaks of the fruit of the spirit? I suspect most every faithful church goer has memorized it.

"The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, against such there is no law."

Did I get it right? 

But, the topic of our Bible study wasn't neccesarily the fruit of the spirit. I don't know that I've ever read that chapter in context since understanding the New Coveannt, or if I had, it's been a while. 

So, Paul is fussing at the Galatians for comingling law and grace. He reminded them that circumcision was NOT what he was preaching. Had he been preaching that, he admitted that he probably wouldn't be persecuted so much. He reminded them that they were not under law, but under grace. Re-reading it, it seemed like Paul was pitching a fit to get the Galatians back on the track of Grace. 

This got me to thinking, God used some chatters and the ministry of People to People Ministries (now called Basic Gospel) to teach me His New Covenant. The Galatians had Paul to teach them. So, who was teaching the New Covenant from the time of Paul's death to the time I heard about it in 1999? This particular ministry has been around since about 1985, so why didn't I hear about it? Going to church pretty much all of my life, why didn't I ever read it? I had several Bibles to read, and even did lots of personal studies. Why didn't I get it? Several preachers that I listened to, from evangelical to pentecostal, cautioned listeners to not take their word for the meaning of the Bible, but to ask God to reveal it. Odd. Did I not do that? One preacher preached with gusto the "once saved, always saved" theology, the other preached, "backslide into hell" theology. They couldn't both be right. But with my limited knowledge, it seemed to me that they both had valid points. 

I wonder if God keeps the Gospel hidden until such time as we're ready to hear/receive it? I KNOW I've read the New Testament (and Old Testament for that matter) many many times in the past. How'd I miss the New Covenant? G reminded us that when the Law of Moses was read, there was a veil over our hearts. The purpose of the Law was to lead us to Jesus...lead us to the end of ourselves. I mean, it's not like the words were rearranged all of a sudden.  We had them there the whole time. I'm thinking our prideful hearts just can't accept the fact that Law + Grace just flat isn't where it's at.  So, it's true, until Jesus removes the veil, we won't understand the New Covenant.

I guess this just goes to prove that verse that says the thing of the Spirit makes no sense to the things of the flesh.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

Bible Study 5-30-13 Galatians 2

I suppose this was a quick scripture to remind us to be who we are. If we're in Christ, let Him shine through. In Galatians 2, Paul is recapping his memoirs of who he was, and how he came to be. At the time this letter was written, Paul had no concern with anyone else's status, be they Jew or Greek. He was who he was, and Christ had compelled him to preach the unadulterated gospel. It made no never mind that "leaders" sent false brethren to spy out their freedom. He was who he was, and encouraged the folks at Galatia to be the same. He reminded them that he even had to call Peter out on his hypocrisy--eating with the Gentiles until the Jewish leaders came onto the scene. 

Why did Paul care about Peter's testimony? Apparently, it wasn't just Peter being affected that was the problem. This little hypocritical act of Peter's not only messed himself up, he had led Barnabas astray as well. In fact, several other Jews got on the bandwagon against the Gentiles--when the leaders came in. 

What about us? Are we more cautious, or allow the opinions of others to persuade us into doing things not quite right? Do we succumb to peer pressure?Do we give in to religious bullying? 

This particular mindset gives me courage to stand up to church bullies or religious bullies. Although I won't engage in an argument, and argue doctrine with religious leaders who feel they have the corner market on the gospel, I don't want to be one of the ones that deny the Holy Spirit that lives within me, just to avoid conflict. 

We were once told that if we find ourselves going through a particularly unpleasant circumstance, where our faith in God is called into question, hang in there, God will give us grace for that moment. There is grace for every need. However, until that time comes... just relax. 

Bible Study 5-23-13 Galatians 1

Having finished up the New Covenant Bible Study put out by the ministry formerly known as People to People (Now called BasicGospel), G decided to take us back through the book of Galatians. We've all read it before. One thing we all agree on, is that no matter how many times we read certain scriptures in the Bible, God never fails to instill some little tidbit that we'd not seen before. 

One such incident was Paul saying that if we listen to some other gospel other than what he's preached, then it's no gospel at all. A passage we'd read many times before, but as I sat and contemplated this, I thought how subtle some of these "different gospels" are. Of course we can roll our eyes at the obviously false doctrines, but what about those who are "almost" right? Sadly, we have these in our denominations today when it comes to being made righteous, and a big one--that concerning forgiveness and eternal life. 

Salvation by reciting the sinner's prayer? Baptism? Eucharist? Good works? Speaking in tongues? Most every assembly will be quick to claim the verse, "By grace are you saved and not of yourselves" and nod with their competitors in agreement. Then the "but" comes in. 

• "But you also have to pray and ask God..."
• "But you also need to be baptized in order to..."
• "But you actually receive Christ through the Eucharist..."
• "If you don't speak in tongues, you're not really saved...."

On and on it goes. Not only does it cause strife among the people who call themselves Christians, it winds up being just a bit different than the gospel Paul and the other Apostles preached. Just a bit different, not too much. 

But what did Paul say?

 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!   

Not even the least little bit would he allow the gospel to be changed.
What about us? Do we allow our ears to be tickled by the gospel + our denominational persuasion? 

Bible Study 5.5.13. Living Out Our Identity

Tonight's scripture all revolved around our identity in Christ. What makes a Christian a Christian? Is being good, good enough to be called a Christian? Perhaps going to church or giving monies to charities? Exactly what differentiates a Christian from a Protestant or catholic?

We become Christians when we put our trust in Christ's finished work. When that happens, several things take place:

1. We pass from death to life.
2. We are conformed in Christ's image.
3. We now have permission to call God Abba, Father.
4. We have a new name "God's children"
5. We become part of the Body of Christ.

There was much discussion on who we are, and how our lives reflect that. Give a listen!