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A study in the book of Galatians

by pamela spurling

19 days of study notes, Galatians 1.1- 3.18

Here  we begin to study the first chapter in the book of Galatians. I believe the LORD has a good deal to say to us as we open His Word. So, to each one and to those who are new to our study, I would like to say: Welcome home, and thank you for joining me here in the kitchen to study the Word. You may want to have your Bible, journal, a pen for notes and underlining, and of course... a cup of cof/tea.

Galatians 1.1-5 "1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

As we begin to look at the first chapter, we will do a little more laying of groundwork for our study. These days may seem dry, but it is for our deeper understanding and benefit that we look at the setting and purpose of this book. Paul is the master of salutations, yes? HE wastes no time in "setting the record straight," so to speak. He has reason to "prove" himself, as he had apparently visited these believers on two previous occasions and had established Christians in this region. In his absence, the Judaizers (teachers from Palestine who had falsely taught, among other things, that the Gentile Believers had to submit to Jewish ordinances of circumcision & the Law of Moses or they couldn't truly be Christians) had come in and polluted the teachings they had received from Paul.

These Galatians were gullible and foolish, as they accepted these teachings along with Paul's teachings---thus the purpose of the book is the dispelling of the heresy these people had come to accept, and the teaching of the Truth. Paul further must correct the lies the Judaizers had perpetrated regarding his apostolic authority, in which they had claimed he was not a true apostle, as he wasn't of the original twelve. He had, however, received his authority from the LORD personally through Jesus Christ.

Do you see similarities in the Christian community today? ___________________________________________________________

Additional insight into the justification of Paul. 
Acts 22: 10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

 
Acts 26:14-18 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Galatians 1.1-5 1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Notice specifically in his salutation: Grace and Peace. It would be of Jewish custom to greet and say "Peace...," but, grace and peace---this would most definitely be a Christian salutation and benediction. As I have read: without grace there is no peace---without peace there is no grace. Specifically note that this grace and peace is from God the Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. The salvation message in no uncertain terms given "right up front." Do you know this grace and peace in your life today? ______________________________________________________

Sometimes we quickly gloss over the greetings in the epistles and head straight for the "meat" of the passages. Today, let's let the Holy Spirit direct our thoughts to the marvelous work He has done on our behalf.

Is there some teaching that you need to do in your home today? _______________________________________________________

You might spend some time thinking on what it means in your life that He gave Himself for your sins, to deliver you from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father. What love! We'll take up this matter of 'grace' tomorrow as we again look into the Scriptures.

DAY 2

You'll probably want to have a notebook or journal along with your Bible and a pen for note taking and underlining. I probably won't continually make this suggestion, but if you are not accustomed to keeping a journal of your studies, it is a wonderful way to "chart your course" as it were, and keep track of things you have studied and decisions you have made. It is also a great place to record your memory work and verses or sections you have memorized. (The *stored* Word is the only thing on which you can meditate in the dark. :)) Just as we studied yesterday, the apostle Paul wastes no time in establishing the ground work for this letter. Having just "reestablished" his authority in his opening salutation, he seems to rather gently make his beginning remarks. Galatians 1.6 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel"

Paul says, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed..." From the commentaries I consulted and the words defined, it seems that Paul is rather calm and appears surprised at the short amount of time that has passed and the notable perversion of the faith or recent teaching they had received. This immediately reminded me of a verse we recently studied in the book of James, Chapter 1.22-25 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

Then I was reminded of yet another story familiar to us from the Old Testament. Throughout time, men have turned aside from following truth---or exchanging the truth for a lie. Impatience and unbelief brings about rebelliousness and disobedience.

Exodus 32.1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. and rose up to play... ..32. 7-9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people" the Greek.

And, another... Romans 1 "17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man..." So, these "foolish" Galatians---not a lot unlike ourselves, really. Are we sometimes fooled into believing things that are contrary to the gospel of Jesus? _______________________________________________________

What do you think was the cause for the "drawing way" of these believers? _______________________________________________________

Are you ever drawn away from the truth?  Does impatience cause you to be led astray? _______________________________________________________

Much of the time we are drawn away from faith because of our impatience or doubting that what God said is what He meant---or that we lack confidence to fully trust Him---where does the confidence of faith come from? Yes, grace and obedience. How do these perversions come into our lives? Into the church? ________________________________________________________

Do you see this happening in our churches today? In *your* church? ________________________________________________________

DAY 3

Galatians 1.6-9
(6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace
of Christ unto another gospel)
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert
the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you
than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel
unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.


I think a good explanation of verse 7 is found in John Wesley's Bible Notes:
JW speaking of "another gospel" in verses 6&7 "Which, indeed, is not properly
another gospel. For what ye have now received is no gospel at all; it is not
glad, but heavy, tidings, as setting your acceptance with God upon terms
impossible to be performed.  [But there are some that trouble you] The same
word occurs, Ac 15:24.
Acts 15.24 "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us
have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be
circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"
2 Cor. 2.17 "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of
sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ."
In verse 8 it is presupposed that there would be no perversion of the gospel
preached by an apostle or any angle from heaven, and so hence: 1 Cor. 16.22 "If
any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha."

Interesting that the Apostle Paul refers to himself as 'we' whether he be alone
or with others.  Another thing---when something is said as a proclamation, as
firmly as this (let him be accursed), we take notice ---but then to have said
it twice, as Paul does here, we must take serious note.
Another firm statement (to say the least) is parallel to this:
Revelations 22.18 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the
prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add
unto him the plagues that are written in this book"

So, what does this have to do with us... Christian women, keepers at home,
wives, mothers, etc.?
Some of what this says to us is that we must be very careful to be intelligent
and watchful about what we read, who we listen to and what we accept as truth.

2Timothy 2.15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
When we study the Word and listen to good Bible teaching and spend time in
prayer and meditation on the Word, we are then much more apt and able to
discern words of truth, while being suspicious of teaching that is erroneous or
seems inaccurate.
Have you been mislead by wrong teaching or wrong doctrine?
_________________________________________________________
Years ago I read a book entitled something like Know What and Why You Believe...
I think it's an important thought to ponder... what do you believe and why?
There may be several questions weighing on your mind, questions for which you
have no explanations or answers.
For example, are there things taught in your church or Bible study or here (!)
that you question? 
___________________________________________________
Are there issues or requirements that you question?
___________________________________________________

If there are, what does the Bible say? What does your husband say?  What does
the LORD say in your times of prayer?
____________________________________________________
I ask myself and I ask you these questions because it is very important to have
a strong sensitivity to the working and prompting of the Holy Spirit, and to be
sure about what the Bible says regarding salvation, faith, and other doctrinal
issues so that when questions arise, we are not deceived or misled.
Do you ever feel like you are hearing "another gospel?"
_____________________________________________________
I am told that part of the training of employees in jobs handling the exchange
of money is to have them see and handle, not counterfeit money, but rather, so
much real money so as to become so accustomed to seeing and feeling the
authentic, 'real thing,' that there is no mistaking real and counterfeit. 

Are you, as John Wesley says, "setting your acceptance with God upon terms
impossible to be performed?"
______________________________________________________

After hearing a stirring and compelling message from a missionary (to the US,
no less!) Sunday morning, I am very strongly challenged to live out my faith in
God and am obligated to obedience out of love for Him.  It is by faith in the
LORD Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross that we love Him.

I trust He is doing a great work in your heart.

DAY 4

Galatians 1.10-12

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

As we studied in James 4.4, when man seeks to please man, then he is an enemy of God. Pretty strong words. Paul seems to be indicating here that he in the past sought to please or persuade men---but as is evidenced by his total life change, he does not now seek to please men.

What enable him to do/say this? ______________________________________________________

I can't help but draw a parallel to our lives and our service to God. Do we seek to please God or man? If we are striving to please man(our neighbor, church members, our families, people we don't know, don't even care about) then we are not striving to please God.

Are we servants to the LORD of man? __________________________________________________________________

"... the gospel which was preached of me is not after man." Paul's earnest dedication to proclaiming his devotion to the LORD Jesus must be inspiring to us---do we contend for the faith as he does? I liked John Wesley's commentary on this---not only was the gospel preached by Paul not from man, not by man, but was not even tasteful to man. Interesting. It makes me think of the LORD's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 6.24) where He says: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." That verse describes serving two masters---serving the world and trying to serve the LORD cannot be done.

Do you have acquaintances in your life who are offended by your love for the LORD? Offended that you do not seek to be like them? _____________________________________________

How do you handle this? __________________________________

John 7.7 "The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." John 15.18 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." 1John 3.13 "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you." Gal 1.12 "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" Again establishing his authority as an apostle of the LORD Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15.1-3 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures" More tomorrow as we continue this passage. ~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*

DAY 5

Galatians 1.13-24

To read and ponder:

"13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me."

As you read and reread this passage of Scripture, what impresses you the most? For today's application... I would like to encourage you to take a few minutes and write down your own salvation experience. When you complete it, then write of the experience(s) you had when you "knew that you knew" the LORD was calling you and laying His hand on your life to fully surrender your life to Him. I suggest two different experiences, because it has been my experience in talking with women, that there comes a time in a woman's life when she finally "lays it on the line" and surrenders her will to the will of the LORD.

How is it with you? If you have never written down this or these two experiences, may I encourage you to do so today?

DAY 6

Galatians 1.13-16 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:"

Some more background on Paul's life:

Acts 8.3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Acts 26.11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

1 Timothy 1.14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Do you ever feel as though there are things in your life that the LORD probably can't forgive? ______________________________________________________________________

Do these things ever get between you and the LORD, or do they block true intimate fellowship with the LORD? ______________________________________________________________________

How about as wives or mothers... Are there things we will not forgive in others? ______________________________________________________________________

I have been asking myself these questions, too, in light of this study and thinking on the life of the Apostle Paul and how the LORD obviously not only forgave him, and changed his heart, but set him into ministry as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Is anyone beyond hope? ______________________________________________________________________

Think on this... you know how I often say that God writes messages into each of our lives so that our lives will be a testimony of His work, His mercy and His grace that we would minister grace to our 'hearers.' What has God written into your life that makes you a 'credible witness' for Him? ______________________________________________________________________

What messages has He allowed to be written in your life that give you a "platform" on which to testify of His grace? And/or, what has He 'called' you to do? (hint: what have you, by God's grace, overcome?) ______________________________________________________________________

I pray that you would purpose today to dedicate yourself to the service for which He has gifted you and that you would be renewed in spirit to obey and that you would be a fragrant offering to the LORD. *~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*

DAY 7

Reviewing the first 16 verses of Galatians and now looking to 1.17-24 we see that Paul has a clear grasp of his place before the LORD and continues to reiterate his personal condition before the Living God. His miraculous conversion was very typical of the 'ways' of the LORD. See here, the LORD's dealing with Peter in Matthew 16.17: And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. *~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*

I am printing out the text of the rest of chapter one for you here. However, you may want to have your own Bible so that you are familiar with this text for yourself. We see clearly that the LORD had raised Paul up out of the 'dung heap' so to speak; remember what he said in Philippians: (Php 3.8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ)

Galatians 1.17-24 "Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me."

II Cor. 4. 6-7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Why is it significant that Paul "did not go up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before" him? ___________________________________________________________

What do you think happened in that space of three years? ____________________________________________________________

Also, what is the significance of Paul saying that he didn't see the other apostles except Peter and James? ____________________________________________________________

Though not previously seen, Paul's reputation preceded him, and upon seeing him, they glorified God. What did they see in Paul? ____________________________________________________________

What was your life like before you came to know Christ as Savior? ____________________________________________________________

Did you ever have a bad or "tarnished" reputation? ____________________________________________________________

What has God done with that reputation? _____________________________________________________________

What do people see in you? _____________________________________________________________

If you have "known Him all your life," have you ever considered what or where you'd be were you to have never known Him? _____________________________________________________________

I very often feel like a worthless chipped and cracked pot... I can easily feel foolish and inadequate... but what do I have... who do I belong to? I forget sometimes that it's not about me, it's not about you, it's about Jesus--- that's it. The Author and Finisher of our Faith. We have this treasure in earthen vessels... sinners saved by grace through faith in Him who has done it. How will this truth affect the way you spend this day? How will you treat your husband? Child? Neighbor? Parent?

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DAY 8

Go ahead and read chapter 2---we'll cover much of it today and then tomorrow begin to cover the last several verses. Paul spent a good deal of time laying the foundation for his ministry to the churches in chapter one, and could well have included the first ten verses of chapter two in the former. Noteworthy of the first ten verses of Chapter 2: Paul assures that the gospel he received was received from God and not from man, he did not receive it from the apostles, he did not receive his teachings or views from any other but the LORD, they were not in authority over him, but they gave him (along with Barnabas) the right hand of fellowship or 'welcomed' him. So then comes the boldness of Paul in verse eleven...

Watch this: Galatians 2.11 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed." Isn't this amazing zeal and confidence?! This next quoted portion is long but very worth reading to understand the apostle Paul a bit better and to understand the relationship of Paul and Peter.

*This portion of commentary is from William Burkitt's notes* "Observe here, St. Peter's offense, and St. Paul's rebuke. St. Peter's offense, 1. was this, he declined from the doctrine taught by himself, concerning the abrogation of circumcision and the ceremonial law; he had formerly conversed freely with the Christian Gentiles without scruple, making no objection against them, because they were not circumcised: But at Antioch he withdrew himself from the Christian Gentiles, refusing to eat with them, because they were not circumcised; as if, for want of circumcision, they had been unclean, and altogether unfit to be conversed with. This was his fault; whereby it appears, that St. Peter himself was not infallible, whatever his pretended successors, the bishops of Rome, are supposed to be. Learn hence, how certainly and suddenly the holiest and best of men will run into sin and error, if a special assistance from the holy Spirit doth not uphold them, and preserve them.

Observe, 2. As St. Peter's offense, so St. Paul's rebuke; he withstood him to the face; that is, rebuked him publicly, because he was blame-worthy, and not secretly behind his back; such as sin openly, must be rebuked and reproved openly. Here note, how little St. Paul dreamed of St. Peter's supremacy; if so, he had been more modest than thus to reprove him to his face. Learn hence, that as no bands of friendship must keep the ministers of God from reproving sin and vice; so when they find the fault to be notorious, they must reprove it wherever they find it, with much boldness and resolution. St. Paul here, in reproving St. Peter withstood him: It is in the original a military word, signifying to stand against, either by force of arms, as among soldiers; or by dint of argument, as among disputants: It is a word of defiance, and signifies an opposition hand to hand, face to face, foot to foot, not yielding a hair's breadth to the adversary. Yet withal, as St. Paul's courage, so his candour appeared, in reproving St. Peter to his face, and not reproaching him, as some, behind his back. And behold this great and chief apostle St. Peter, submits to his reprover, neither justifying his action, nor reflecting upon St. Paul; he replieth not again." -WBN-

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Do you think Paul was right in his rebuke and exhortation of Peter? _________________________________________________________

Do you see how important it was that Paul established "authority" as a minister of the gospel, how important it was to preserve the Truth by exposing Peter's inconsistencies? What do you think this did for Paul's reputation? _________________________________________________________

Interesting that the commentator exhorts that "no bands of friendship must keep ministers of God from reproving sin..." Have you ever found it necessary to reprove a believer for her behavior? _________________________________________________________

Do you have the kind of boldness and zeal that Paul demonstrated here? _________________________________________________________

How do you think a Christian woman/wife ought to handle "reproving sin" in another? _________________________________________________________

When would it be wise to seek the counsel / action of your husband to the offender? _________________________________________________________

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DAY 9

You may want to read these verses a few times to get a deeper insight into the richness of the meaning of them. I find that the more I study this, the more I understand Paul's zeal for his passionate plea: "the just shall live by faith." Galatians 2.16-17

16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." 17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid."

We will go into this in a bit more depth tomorrow, but for today I wish to focus on the simple but great word: faith. Faith in Jesus Christ. [4102] Gr. pistis, pis'-tis from [3982] persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

JohnWesley's commentary: Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law-Not even of the moral, much less the ceremonial, law. But by the faith of Jesus Christ-That is, by faith in him. The name Jesus was first known by the Gentiles; the name Christ by the Jews. And they are not always placed promiscuously; but generally in a more solemn way of speaking, the Apostle says, Christ Jesus; in a more familiar, Jesus Christ. Even we-And how much more must the Gentiles, who have still less pretence to depend on their own works! Have believed-Knowing there is no other way. Because Considering the demands of the law, and the fate of human nature, it is evident, that by the works of the law-By such an obedience as it requires. Shall no flesh living-No human creature, Jew or Gentile, be justified. Hitherto St. Paul had been considering that single question, "Are Christians obliged to observe the ceremonial law?" But he here insensibly goes farther, and, by citing this Scripture, shows that what he spoke directly of the ceremonial, included also the moral, law. For David undoubtedly did so, when he said, (Ps 143:2, the place here referred to.) In thy sight shall no man living be justified; which the Apostle likewise explains, Ro 3:19,20, in such a manner as can agree to none but the moral law." 

Acts 13.38-39 "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Philippians 3.9 "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith"

Romans 1.17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Do you remember where this verse is written?

Habakkuk 2.4 "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." *~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*

Today's question.... What does it mean to you: the just shall live by faith? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

What does it mean to you personally to live by faith?  (you may have more to say here...) _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

DAY 10

Galatians 2.18-19 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Adam Clarke's Commentary: Galatians 2.18 [For if I build again the things which I destroyed] If I act like a Jew, and enjoin the observance of the law on the Gentiles, which I have repeatedly asserted and proved to be abolished by the death of Christ, then I build up what I destroyed, and thus make myself a transgressor, by not observing the law in that way in which I appear to enjoin the observance of it upon others. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. John Wesley's Notes on the Old and New Testament:

Galatians 2:19 "[For I through the law] Applied by the Spirit to my heart, and deeply convincing me of my utter sinfulness and helplessness. [Am dead to the law] To all hope of justification from it. [That I may live to God] Not continue in sin. For this very end am I, in this sense, freed from the law, that I may be freed from sin."

Romans 6.11 "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." This passage is inferring the Law (of Moses) and more specifically referencing circumcision, as Paul had earlier alluded to. That would be the specific message, but the general message is this:

Romans 8.2-3 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh"

It doesn't take any imagination or stretching to ask: what do we do bring back the Law into our lives----or what 'things' do we *do* to "keep the faith?" ___________________________________________________________

Is there anything, of our own selves, that we can do to be justified? ___________________________________________________________

Do we try to build on things that have already been destroyed? ___________________________________________________________

How about our children---are we teaching them (as best we are able) to understand this most important facet of the Christian life? ____________________________________________________________

You might pray and ask the LORD for real wisdom here and ask: What actions might the LORD be prompting you to take today? ____________________________________________________________

If you have the time, you might read a bit more in Romans---especially 6 and 8 and then pray to the LORD about what you have read---seek His face and His direction for any area in which He might be working... I will be joining you, I assure you.

DAY 11

Galatians 2.20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." *~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*

Romans 6: 6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." 7 "For he that is dead is freed from sin." 14 "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

Romans 8: 2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." 4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

So, what do we do with all that we just studied in the book of James where our attention was focused on the 'out-working' of our faith? Earlier I had been praying for a way to understand the LORD's prompting of studying this book when the study in James was nearing completion. And I believe today the LORD is showing the answer to the scripture that was the theme of that study in James: Faith without works is dead. And now, Galatians: The just shall live by faith.

Here is the application: Romans 6.17-18 "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."

Titus 2.14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Obedience then, is freedom. Freedom to do as we ought and the accompaniment of grace to carry out that obedience to Christ. Praise the LORD, no prayer ever returns void. A pastor friend of ours calls this the "exchanged-life." My life for His, His life for mine. *~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*

Galatians 2.20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." *~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*

This is the amazing love of God---to love us too much to leave us in the condition we were and yet giving us the choice to follow and obey Him. You can see the passion in Paul's writing---what he has overcome---the LORD in and through him. What does it mean to you personally to be crucified with Christ? _________________________________________________________

Do you see yourself as living an "exchanged life" ---Christ living in you? _________________________________________________________

You were the servant of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart... What does this mean to you today? _________________________________________________________

"...the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God..." How does this work in your life? _________________________________________________________

Romans 8.38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Day 12

Galatians 2.21 "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."

Hebrews 7.11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? William Burkitt's Notes: [Galatians 2:21] "The apostle concludes the chapter with a double argument, to prove the Christian's justification by faith, without the works of the law. 1. Were it otherwise, we should frustrate and make void the grace of God: For if justification be by works, it can no more be by grace; according to the apostle, Ro 6:6. 2. Christ's death had been in vain, without any necessary cause or reason at all, if the justification of a sinner could have been obtained by his own works. Where note, that as well works done after faith and conversion, as those done before it, are excluded from being the meritorious cause of our justification, either in whole or in part; because the joining of works with faith, in the matter of our justification, is a total exclusion of God's free grace, and a loud proclaiming, that Christ died in vain..."

Have you lived *as though* the Law---or abiding by the Law---can save you? ________________________________________________________

By living by a list of laws and rules, do you see how this frustrates the grace of God? _________________________________________________________

How can we help our children (or unsaved husbands) see this very important truth? _________________________________________________________

See the difficulty in training to obey and yet training that our obedience is because of our faith.... *~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*

I recognize that the verse we are studying is referencing justification for grace through faith instead of salvation by works... but let's look at another angle of this in the Christian walk.... For a time, I was most comfortable with a daily list of rules---the "do's and do not's" of faith in God. It was much easier for me ---or so it seemed, to live by a set standard of disciplines and regulations to make sure that I was really living the Christian life. Was I pleasing God? I don't think so... Was I trying to please God? Yes...I knew I was saved, but I was trying to do it my way, based on my interpretation of the law: what it means for a Christian woman to live in obedience to God. I think that's where many of us as Christian women get bogged down---we see other women doing thus and so and we think that if we were to just do: thus and so, we would "make it!" Doing this neutralizes or negates the finished work of the cross. If I can, of mine own initiative, make up a list of daily disciplines that satisfies the righteous requirements of the Law, then The LORD Jesus Christ died in vain---I then indulge in idolatry... I do not need a Savior. But! What is true?!? I cannot keep to any law, any daily code of rules, because then were I to break one, then I break them all. We just completed this study in James: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2.10 What is true is that you and I are sinners saved by grace through faith in the LORD Jesus Christ. That's it. That's the finished work of the Cross.

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You may want to spend a bit of time reflecting on what this means to you today.

DAY 13

Galatians 3.1 "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" I thought you would like this very impressive and striking comment I read in the Adam Clarke Commentary: Verse 1. [O foolish Galatians] "O infatuated people; you make as little use of reason as those who have none; you have acted in this business as those do who are fascinated-they are led blindly and unresistingly on to their own destruction."

Looking at some of the meanings of the words in this verse...O foolish Galatians... Oh, you unwise... who has fascinated you... that you should be convinced.... to not obey the truth...when you have seen Jesus? You can readily see Paul's aching heart for these 'misguided' believers. He questions them... how could they be deceived when they had seen and/or experienced the LORD. In reading several commentaries, I would summarize by saying that Paul was chastising or rebuking them for foolishly allowing themselves to be brought under bondage again. It would be similar to having chains removed from ones feet to allow free movement and enjoyment of liberty and then that same individual reaching forth to take the chains back in order to limit freedom. Freedom in Jesus.

Have you taken back the "chains" that the LORD Jesus loosed? ________________________________________________________

Has 'someone' come in and deceived you into thinking that you needed to adhere to this or that regulation or precept in order to be a Christian or to be a "better Christian?" ________________________________________________________

Have you come to live by 'extra-biblical' standards? ________________________________________________________

What do you think has come into "the church" today that is similar to what the 'foolish Galatians' were dealing with---or what are the deceptions in the church today? ________________________________________________________

Have you yourself taken to yourself a belief or doctrine that you have decided to live by that is really not of God, but is a 'law' of man? ________________________________________________________

What might you need to do today to set things right? ________________________________________________________

DAY 14

Galatians 3.2-5 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

William Burkitt's Notes: Galatians 3:2 "Our apostle having prepared the Galatians' attention, by a very smart and sharp reprehension in the foregoing verse, returns to the subject of justification by faith without the works of the law, which he had entered upon in the former chapter, and prosecutes at large in this; and he uses five arguments to prove that we are justified by faith, and not by works; The first is contained in the verse before us, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? As if the apostle had said, 'I appeal to your own experience; you have received the Spirit yourselves, some of you for sanctification, others for miraculous operations; now I would know by what means you received it? Was it by hearing the law of Moses preached? You cannot say it: for you were heathens, and without the written law; it must then be by hearing of the gospel, the doctrine of faith, which I preached to you.' Here we have a truth expressed, and a truth implied. The truth expressed is this, that the hearing of the gospel faithfully preached, is the instrumental mean by which persons receive the holy Spirit in the sanctifying gifts and graces of it, to enable them to live a holy and spiritual life: Received ye not the Spirit by the hearing of faith? Yes, ye did" -WB

Paul surely did have their attention by this time, wouldn't you say? Were someone to say to you, "You foolish woman, who has bewitched you, or Who hath deceived you...?" That would really grab you, wouldn't it. So you can picture this---for the Galatians and for us today.

*Galatians 3.2-5* 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (v 2-5)

So what is Paul saying... Having begun in the Spirit through faith in Christ Jesus, experiencing the freedom in Jesus and having seen the miracles, having suffered persecution, now expect to be justified or made perfect in the flesh?!? Now, do they think there is freedom or perfection by going back to the law? If they were to give up the grace they had received then they had suffered in vain--- If they had decided to look to the law, then their suffering was indeed in vain.

Paul is speaking of himself specifically, when we read "he therefore that ministereth..." [Gr.2023] epichoregeo, ep-ee-khor-ayg-eh'-o; from 1909 and 5524; to furnish besides, i.e. fully supply, (figuratively) aid or contribute:--add, minister (nourishment, unto). Further understanding this word: 'minister,' we can see that Paul had not been lax in "nourishing" these believers... so again, you can readily see his exasperation or grief over the deceptions of the Judaizers that had come in to disrupt or deceive the church with the old requirements of the law. They had witnessed the miracles---and so he asks them were these miracles done through the law or by faith? They had to have been pricked in their hearts by this time seeing that the law was powerless to do what faith had done.

Additional related passages to encourage you in trusting Christ and what He has so graciously done for us. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Also, I think you are going to join me is seeing that the LORD had very good reason to have us study the book of James before we studied this book. He is demonstrating that we can trust Him to guide the order of our studies and our plans as we seek to serve Him. I am marveling at the goodness of the LORD. We will be referencing James in the next day or so.

Ephesians 1.12-13 "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise"

Romans 10.13-17 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Have new thoughts come to mind regarding extra-biblical ordinances or precepts you or others in the church today have taken on? ________________________________________________________

What else has come into the church today? How is the Spirit received...by the hearing of the law or the hearing of faith? (this could have a mixed answer because as we will see in a couple of weeks... the law is the schoolmaster that brings us unto Christ---not to muddy the waters, but by way of assurance: this is not a simple issue sometimes.) ________________________________________________________

You may have witnessed the miracles of the LORD, you may have experienced freedom in Jesus---have you allowed other winds of doctrine to blow into your life and deceive you into thinking that you need to *do* something more to assure your salvation? _________________________________________________________

Maybe you could take a few minutes and just go before the LORD and tell Him what's on your heart today.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DAY 15

Galatians 3.6-9 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. *~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*

Abraham 'believed' God... this word: believe is from the same root as the word 'faith' in the previous verse. Gr.[4100] pisteuo, pist-yoo'-o from 4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

Genesis 15.4-6 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

This is such a moving account to me... I am overcome with the goodness of God today...that God who is so rich in mercy should stoop down and deal so bountifully with a servant. That we have the gift of the written Word today to read of the accounts of faithful men who obeyed---and it was counted to them for righteousness---even when they did not know to what or where the LORD would call them or take them. You'll be steeped in blessing if you take a bit of time to read this portion of scripture... you can try to limit it to chs. 11.26 thru ch 25. Even Abraham---now catch this---even Abraham doubted! Even Abraham feared------But he believed the LORD! He believed! That's Faith! That's a wonderful God! ~~~

Genesis 12.1-3 1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 15.1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 22.15-18 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

In light of 'grace' why do you think this specific account of Abraham is included in the book of Galatians? _________________________________________________________

What most impresses you about Abraham's life? _________________________________________________________

Knowing what you know about Abraham's life and his tendency to fear, what does this teach you about faith? _________________________________________________________

Do you deal with doubts and fears? _________________________________________________________

You know that the LORD knows this----trust Him today that what He says, that He will do: What He says He will do, He will do. Maybe you could take a few minutes and just go before the LORD and tell Him what's on your heart... do you have a trial that is too much for you to bear? Are you feeling alone? Do you have wayward family members causing you grief? Do you have a burden today? Please don't be afraid to follow God today---follow Him with your whole heart. Whatever He asks of you, wherever He leads you.... He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Doubt delays, but Faith follows. Fear frustrates, but trust obeys. This day.... with your whole heart, fall before the Living God; worship Him: He adores you.

DAY 16

Galatians 3.10-11 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. *~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*

Works; Gr[2041] ergon, er'-gon; from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work. Deuteronomy 27.26 "Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen." Jeremiah 11.3-4 "And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God" Ephesians 2.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. No man is justified by the law... Those who live under the law are under the curse of the law---- But no man is justified by keeping the law *without* faith.

The just shall live by faith... the just, the righteous, the holy... Why are we justified? _______________________________________________________

The law has been fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Habakkuk 2.4 "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." Romans 1.17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." The righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith.

Where does this righteousness come from? _______________________________________________________

How is this revealed? Romans 8.16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God"

Now if righteousness comes by and through faith in Jesus Christ, then what of the law? ________________________________________________________

Romans 8.3-4 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." It could be confusing: our studies on *works* in James and *faith* in Galatians... are you seeing how the two are blended and yet different? For it seems to me that one must have works with faith, but if one has no faith, then works are in vain, but the works of the faithful then are an outward demonstration of inward decisions or convictions that come through that faith. Matthew 5.16-19 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

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And this is my prayer to the LORD for you all today: Ephesians 3.14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DAY 17

Galatians 3.12-13 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Think of the things that you might do to keep to a plan... you know there's a plan---that if followed to the letter will give you life but if any way is not followed to the letter, you will die. You hear the plan, you read the plan, you memorize the plan, you constantly re-check the plan, you check your own progress according to the plan, and you look around to see if everyone else is following the plan and you worry that you aren't following the plan right, so you make additions to the plan and if that weren't enough, you make amendments to the additions to the plan, and if that weren't bondage enough already, you go ahead and make additions to the amended additions and as if that weren't enough, because of the hardness of heart you had to make adjustments and amendments to the additions to the amended additions... does this weary you? Yes... and it does me, too-----that is in small measure what we were before the grace of God set us free from bondage to the law of sin and death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I am giving you lots of cross or parallel references these days because of the depth of the meaning of this passage. If read too quickly, it can be 'glossed over' and taken in only on the surface. My prayer for you is that it would be more than that---much more. I pray that this will be of such significance to you, that you will be drawn beyond this reading and that the LORD will open the eyes of your understanding in a whole new way--- that you will be renewed daily in your heart and in the spirit of your mind. The transformation of your life is in Jesus.  In knowing Him and understanding His Word and His Works.

(Gal 3.12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.* [Romans 8.3] "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh"

[Romans 10.1-11] 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

*Gal 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:*

II Corinthians 5.21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." One commentator (William Burkitt) made an almost humorous but vitally true statement regarding this verse and the truth contained and that was in part that the LORD Jesus "discharges the believer from his obnoxiousness to wrath, dissolves his obligation to punishment, looses all bands and chains of guilt: so that the curse of the law has nothing and shall have nothing to do with him for ever." Let's praise God together today that He has delivered us in our obnoxiousness from the curse of the Law.

So this verse... what is the ultimate curse of the law? ______________________________________________________

Yes... death is the ultimate curse of the law---death or eternal separation from God. Jesus wasn't made a curse or changed into a curse but rather He took the curse upon Himself and subjected Himself to the punishment or wrath of the law and in our place died the substitutionary death that we might have life through faith in Him.. 1 Peter 2.24 "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." You are redeemed for ever.

DAY 18

Galatians 3.14 "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

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Jesus became life for us so that He could be death for us---He humbled Himself to become a man so that He would walk with us and we with Him. He lived, died and rose again "that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." We are spending a good deal of time studying a referring to Abraham. It is significant that we learn about God relationship with His people and to understand His promises, I believe, so that we can gain a better appreciation for or a glimpse of what Jesus really did through His life, death and resurrection. Now watch this, as Jesus was teaching the Jews in the Temple, and was being questioned regarding the things He taught, he was without question a living testimony of the grace of God---saying (John 8.29-32) "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

It is this man Jesus---our Savior---who said, when interrogated by the Jews, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8.56-58) In several places Jesus answers the challenges to His position and authority with Truth. It is a passage you might spend quite awhile meditating on. You might take a few minutes and read John Ch. 8.31-59

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Continuing on in Galatians... 15 "Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto."

This covenant was confirmed; How? ______________________________________________________

(V) 16 "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." What is your response to this?

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Jeremiah 31.33 "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Ezekiel 11.19-20 "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God."

You may want to spend a few minutes reflecting in your journal about what you have read, or perhaps you could share with your family a little more of what the LORD has done and is at work doing with and for you.

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DAY 19

Galatians 3.17 "And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect." [And this I say] "He returns to the argument introduced in Ga 3:15. [That the covenant] He has just shown that this covenant was not only with Abraham, but with his spiritual seed, and hence must continue in effect until Christ came.

"Hence the law, made over four centuries after the covenant was given, could not disannul it. The covenant made with Abraham is still in force." [Four hundred and thirty years] "According to Usher's Chronology, the promise was made to Abraham in B.C. 1921; the law was given at Sinai B.C. 1491; the interval is four hundred thirty years. But some have held that Paul made a mistake because in Exodus it said that Hebrews were in Egypt four hundred thirty years (Ex 12:12). The matter is easily explained. The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament is the one usually followed by Christ and his apostles. Its translators, following the Hebrew copy before them, render Ex 12:12, "The sojourning of the children of Israel who dwelt in Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, was four hundred and thirty years." Whether this is right, or our Hebrew text, does not matter. Paul gave the usually received statement. His point was simply that the law was given many ages after the covenant with Abraham." ---People's New Testament Commentary

Be sure to note this: the law was given four hundred and thirty years after the promise was given! And the promise is still intact! This is a profound truth on which to meditate! We are so abundantly blessed that God, who keeps His promises, also did not annul this promise to Abraham at the giving of the Law.

Do you know of situations where a promise takes precedence over a new law? I would think it's pretty rare--- except in real estate(apparently this phrase came into usage during the time of the changing of voting rights in the 1850's, but do you suppose this is where the phrase 'Grandfather clause" originally came from?) ________________________________________________________

Galatians 3.18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. [If the inheritance be of the law] "Law and promise exclude each other. The legal heir receives his inheritance by law, if there be no will; one not a legal heir may receive it by the promise of a will. The inheritance was given to Abraham by promise; and ours depends on the promise." ---People's New Testament Commentary (V. 18)

"And again-This is a new argument. The former was drawn from the time, this from the nature, of the transaction. If the eternal inheritance be obtained by keeping the law, it is no more by virtue of the free promise-These being just opposite to each other. But it is by promise. Therefore it is not by the law." ---John Wesley's Notes

Romans 4.13-16 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, "

Eph 1.4 "Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

Romans 8.17 "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

Have you ever inherited something? What was the guarantee that you would inherit it? In advance of your inheritance, did you count on it, 'bank on it,' trust in it? _____________________________________________________

OR, have you ever had something promised to you that you valued highly? _____________________________________________________

Have you ever have a promise changed, not fulfilled or broken? _____________________________________________________

Have you made a promise or promises you have not kept? _____________________________________________________

Maybe today would be a good day for reflection on "promises" ---promises others have made to you, promises you have made to others, and perhaps there is one to whom you have made and broken a promise and you need to make things right. Whatever the case, the LORD is nigh unto all who call upon Him in truth.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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