Here is what we have in Galatians 4:
1. To be under a Jewish system of law is to be under bondage to things that kept us in elementary school (1-3)
2. To adhere to a system of law as that which grants us acceptance with God and others is the same thing as going back and worshiping false gods (vs 7-9).
3. To require what God has not required of others leads them into slavery. Conversely, by following such we walk ourselves back into slavery.
4. Sonship (daughtership!) is the opposite of slavery. Full adulthood and freedom comes only through Christ (4-7).
5. Key verse is verses 4-6: Part one: "But when the fullness of time came": At the right time in history, according to God's plan, when the time for God to birth to the Messiah (from a pregnant Israel-Rev 12). Part Two: "God sent forth His Son": the most monumental event in all of history to date which changed everything. Part Three: "Born of a woman": He was fully human which means that he was fit to be our human representative before God (replacing Adam-Romans 5). Part Four: "Born under the Law." Hmmmm. This must be important. Part Five: "so that (a purpose towards us) He might redeem those who were under the Law": Boom, set free from a way of living that never was intended to set us free. Part Six: "that we might receive the adoption as sons." There it is . . . finally . . . a release from slavery into full rights as a child of God. Released from custody to the law and now a free child and heir. Part Seven: "God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying 'Abba, Father.' This intimate relationship with God is not possible through law but only through Christ and the subsequent/simultaneous gift of the Holy Spirit.
6. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit that brings the freedom that life by mere law can never give. It is the key to all for Paul and one much neglected. To be "in Christ" is to be possessed by the Spirit--and thus now able to have intimacy with God. It is the Spirit who lets us know all the things freely given us by "Daddy" as well as the dynamic key to all that we do in the Christian life.
7. Being known by God is emphasized as more important than knowing God-- verse 9 and 1 Corinthians 8:3. Do I know God? Perhaps so. More importantly, Does God know you? The knowledge here is the knowledge of experience, not intellect. God and I experience one another now due to the gift of the Holy Spirit which He has initiated in me! No Holy Spirit = no experience of Him, no intimate relationship with Him.
8. Paul fears his labor is in vain (vs 12-20) and he is perplexed because they are turning from God and trying to live the Christian life by laws and customs--rather than by the Spirit. They had bought into the lie (they were following the Jewish calendar because they thought they must) that they had to become of a Jewish flavor to be accepted by God and their Christian Jewish brothers and sisters.
9. The relationship between Paul and the Galatians is now strained (vs 12-20) because they have turned fro the simplicity and freedom offered by the gospel. They have added to Christ other requirements that God has not added.
10. In verses 21-31 Paul uses the OT (in images of Hagar, the law, Jerusalem, etc.) to show that those born of the Spirit, through Christ, by faith are the children of freedom and not those who are following the system of law which has now given way to a better life in the Spirit. The children of flesh are those trying to find acceptance with God and others by law-keeping.
11. To be a child of promise, a descendant of Abraham through Isaac, a free child, a person of the Spirit . . . all this comes only through Christ by faith plus nothing else.
12. The Christian life is a life of love and service lived under the direct power of the Holy Spirit--this is the subject of chapter 5! It was for freedom that Christ set us free: Galatians 5:1
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Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Galatians 3:15-29: One People of Promise
In these verses Paul gets to the heart of the matter as to why we don't impose on others certain standards of living the Christian life which we prefer for ourselves. The Jewish Christians demanded the Gentile Christians to practice Christianity the "Jewish way." Paul says no and here he lays down the hammer.
In Galatians 3:15-18 Paul uses the Covenant with Abraham to blow away all arguments against the message he is preaching. He uses Genesis 12, 13, 15, 17, and 22 to show that the Messiah, Jesus is the seed of Abraham to whom all the promises were made. They are fulfilled in Jesus and thus all who become "in Christ" also inherit these promises. This is significant because it means that the promises of land and expansion of the people of God flow only through union with Jesus, the seed of Abraham. This is the point of Gal 3:29 where we are told that we who belong to Christ are Abraham's seed, heirs (of all that was promised) according to the promise given to Abraham through the Messiah. (Note: We see Matthew 5 (the meek shall inherit the earth) and Romans 4 (Abraham heir of the world) that a tract of land in Israel was just the beginning. God had in mind to give the family of God the whole earth--all the land. Who is the land promise for? Jew and Gentile together.)
In Galatians 3:17-18 Paul is immersed in the covenant ceremony of Genesis 15 to show that God ratified the covenant by walking alone through the cut of pieces of animals. God was guaranteeing all the promises (swearing an oath on Himself) and requiring nothing of mankind in terms of fulfillment of the promises. This covenant ceremony was 430 years prior to Moses receiving the law. Thus, inclusion in the family of God and being an heir of promises has nothing to do with keeping the law or certain standards of living. God's covenant is eternal and irrevocable.
Paul often anticipates our questions (compare Romans 8 on election) and here is no exception. We might say then that the law is bad, obsolete . . . we can throw it away. Absolutely not says Paul. Then he explains that the Law (shown inferior to the Abrahamic covenant by verse 19) was a temporary custodian (not teacher). The purpose of the Law is to give us a realization of sin and drive us to acceptance by God through faith alone. The law does lead to blessing but not in the way those with a Jewish background thought. They would have argued that they were the only seed of Abraham and that as such the way to blessing was by keeping the law. No! The law only leads to a curse because we cannot keep it. It is holy, righteous, and good-- the Law contains the standards of a holy God for a redeemed people. However, we cannot attain a not guilty verdict and acceptance with God through law-keeping. We are now free through Messiah who has become a curse for us. The fact is, as Paul will elsewhere show, that the Spirit is the key to the Christian life, not the Law. Ironically, the Spirit takes the law and writes it on our hearts as part of the new covenant. We see this in Hebrews and are thus shown that we do not and cannot throw away the moral requirements of God.
Remember what is at stake here. Jewish believers were not accepting Gentile believers because they were not following their God-given customs--circumcision, Jewish calendar, food laws, etc. Paul is saying that all are equally members of the body of Christ and that to go back to this Jewish law system as the way of living leads only to bondage for all. There is something better now-- the Messiah has come and He has given us the Holy Spirit so that now we want to do the things that are pleasing to God. But as far as acceptance with God and family membership--these are obtained by faith and not by keeping laws.
Let us not insist that others be just like us in the way they practice their Christianity. We are ALL sons of God through faith in Christ. We are ALL baptized into Christ (and baptized with the Holy Spirit) and we are ALL clothed with Christ. All the old distinctions, inequalities, and prejudices are gone now. In Christ ALL are equal. We should then be ALL ONE, not divided just because some of our practices and preferences are different.
Let us then accept others in the family of God who look and act differently than we do and not impose on them what God is not requiring. To require others to look, smell, and act just like we do in their Christian living smacks of high arrogance. God has accepted them . . . it is about time that we do also. All that God requires is that all come to the Messiah by faith and live by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . who is a God of great variety in terms of gifting, effects, and ministries.
In Galatians 3:15-18 Paul uses the Covenant with Abraham to blow away all arguments against the message he is preaching. He uses Genesis 12, 13, 15, 17, and 22 to show that the Messiah, Jesus is the seed of Abraham to whom all the promises were made. They are fulfilled in Jesus and thus all who become "in Christ" also inherit these promises. This is significant because it means that the promises of land and expansion of the people of God flow only through union with Jesus, the seed of Abraham. This is the point of Gal 3:29 where we are told that we who belong to Christ are Abraham's seed, heirs (of all that was promised) according to the promise given to Abraham through the Messiah. (Note: We see Matthew 5 (the meek shall inherit the earth) and Romans 4 (Abraham heir of the world) that a tract of land in Israel was just the beginning. God had in mind to give the family of God the whole earth--all the land. Who is the land promise for? Jew and Gentile together.)
In Galatians 3:17-18 Paul is immersed in the covenant ceremony of Genesis 15 to show that God ratified the covenant by walking alone through the cut of pieces of animals. God was guaranteeing all the promises (swearing an oath on Himself) and requiring nothing of mankind in terms of fulfillment of the promises. This covenant ceremony was 430 years prior to Moses receiving the law. Thus, inclusion in the family of God and being an heir of promises has nothing to do with keeping the law or certain standards of living. God's covenant is eternal and irrevocable.
Paul often anticipates our questions (compare Romans 8 on election) and here is no exception. We might say then that the law is bad, obsolete . . . we can throw it away. Absolutely not says Paul. Then he explains that the Law (shown inferior to the Abrahamic covenant by verse 19) was a temporary custodian (not teacher). The purpose of the Law is to give us a realization of sin and drive us to acceptance by God through faith alone. The law does lead to blessing but not in the way those with a Jewish background thought. They would have argued that they were the only seed of Abraham and that as such the way to blessing was by keeping the law. No! The law only leads to a curse because we cannot keep it. It is holy, righteous, and good-- the Law contains the standards of a holy God for a redeemed people. However, we cannot attain a not guilty verdict and acceptance with God through law-keeping. We are now free through Messiah who has become a curse for us. The fact is, as Paul will elsewhere show, that the Spirit is the key to the Christian life, not the Law. Ironically, the Spirit takes the law and writes it on our hearts as part of the new covenant. We see this in Hebrews and are thus shown that we do not and cannot throw away the moral requirements of God.
Remember what is at stake here. Jewish believers were not accepting Gentile believers because they were not following their God-given customs--circumcision, Jewish calendar, food laws, etc. Paul is saying that all are equally members of the body of Christ and that to go back to this Jewish law system as the way of living leads only to bondage for all. There is something better now-- the Messiah has come and He has given us the Holy Spirit so that now we want to do the things that are pleasing to God. But as far as acceptance with God and family membership--these are obtained by faith and not by keeping laws.
Let us not insist that others be just like us in the way they practice their Christianity. We are ALL sons of God through faith in Christ. We are ALL baptized into Christ (and baptized with the Holy Spirit) and we are ALL clothed with Christ. All the old distinctions, inequalities, and prejudices are gone now. In Christ ALL are equal. We should then be ALL ONE, not divided just because some of our practices and preferences are different.
Let us then accept others in the family of God who look and act differently than we do and not impose on them what God is not requiring. To require others to look, smell, and act just like we do in their Christian living smacks of high arrogance. God has accepted them . . . it is about time that we do also. All that God requires is that all come to the Messiah by faith and live by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . who is a God of great variety in terms of gifting, effects, and ministries.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Galatians 3:1-14: Removing Family Obstacles
In Galatians 3 Paul begins to unfold his argument that a not guilty verdict before God and membership in the family of God does not require us to all look or act the same.
Early on Paul calls them the primarily Gentile Galatians foolish because they had begun so well but are now giving into those advocating a different gospel. They have been "bewitched" according to Paul, believing those that are saying they must practice a Jewish flavored Christianity in order to be: 1. Acceptable to God 2. Members of the Christian family.
Did they receive the Spirit (at the moment of turning to Jesus) because they took on Jewish practices? It would be like us requiring folks to sing in a certain way, to worship by our preferred form, to be baptized just like we were, to do church like we do church, etc. If they follow God like I do (because my system is the best one) then they will be more blessed. Did the miracles among them and their experiences of the Holy Spirit come by anything other than faith in Jesus the Messiah? (Note: The Holy Spirit is meant to be experienced and the preferred reading of verse 4 is "Did you experience so many things . . ." rather than "Did you suffer so many things) .
Paul asks six questions to show the Galatian Christians that they have gotten away from the basics and are now submitting to things that are not required by the Lord. Others say they are required and now they are confused. What practices are we requiring of others so that we accept them? What must others do in our mind which makes them acceptable to God and legit family members. Have we added some things (ex. speak in tongues, have a daily quiet time, wear certain clothing, etc.). You see, the legalism here has to do with good things that the Jews did-- keeping the sabbath a certain way, following the Jewish calendar, being circumcised, etc--and not merely about things some may not allow (drinking, smoking, wearing dresses etc.)
Beginning in verse 6 Paul breaks out OT texts to show his opponents (and the Galatians) that a Jewish flavored system of Christian living was not God's intent for everyone. Abraham (Gen 12) was accepted by God due to His faith and not by following a God-given way of living which was given to the Jewish people. Those who rely on faith alone are sons of Abraham. Those not of faith are not his children--even though they may even have the blood heritage. In fact, the gospel was proclaimed in Genesis 12--the Great Commission of the OT. It says that Abraham and his family was to be a blessing to all the nations. From the beginning God planned to rescue people from every nation, tribe, and language (Rev 5, 7) by faith. However, Israel failed in bringing this about and became internally focused and misunderstood God's purposes as if to say that all must follow as they did--by adherence to a temporary system of religion.
Paul's opponents would have said that to practice Christianity in the Jewish way is the way to the greatest blessing. On the contrary says Paul . . .requiring the Jewish expression actually brings a curse because one who lives by the Jewish law must keep all things written in it--which is impossible. Paul uses Deut 27:26 and Leviticus 18:5 to establish that human effort is no way to live and then shows that "by faith" is the way to live (according to Abraham and also what God says in Habakkuk 2:4). And of course, this practically means a wide variety of Christian practices are acceptable to God. One should read Galatians and be reminded of other things Paul has written regarding the way we live by faith-- don't want to eat meat . . . no problem. Want to celebrate one day as more important than another no problem. Want to have a drink of alcohol . . . no problem. Want to require a church membership class for potential members . . . no problem. Want to baptize by pouring . . . no problem. Want to require a uniform for those coming to church . . . no problem. Just don't require everyone else to do or not do what you do or don't do-- because the Lord doesn't! Accept others who practice different because they have different convictions or a different culture. They are just as equal a member of the family as you and have also been declared not guilty through the sacrifice of Jesus. This is the whole main point of Galatians.
Paul concludes this section by pulling the big stumbling block out of his bag, namely that the Messiah, Jesus was crucified as a criminal. As a result, according to God-given Jewish documents (Deut 21:23) the Messiah was under God's curse. The Jews had no framework to accept this (and had we been Jewish when Messiah came we may have also rejected the message of the cross). Why did Jesus become a curse? To remove the curse that comes about by all of our failures to live up to God's requirements! As a result of God's law we are all under a curse. However, it was the Father's will to crush His Son (Isa 53) and forsake Him (Ps
To conclude this section Paul shows that the blessing of Abraham (Gen 12) and the promise of the Spirit (from the OT) has come on all who respond to the sacrificial death of Jesus by faith alone. Gentiles are full members of the family--even though they don't follow a Jewish system of living. Jew and Gentile are now one family and one cannot be arrogant against the other. There is one way to family membership (through Jesus by faith). This was God's intent from the beginning. That which has divided peoples for thousands of years has now been torn down. What walls between yourself and others need to be torn down?
Early on Paul calls them the primarily Gentile Galatians foolish because they had begun so well but are now giving into those advocating a different gospel. They have been "bewitched" according to Paul, believing those that are saying they must practice a Jewish flavored Christianity in order to be: 1. Acceptable to God 2. Members of the Christian family.
Did they receive the Spirit (at the moment of turning to Jesus) because they took on Jewish practices? It would be like us requiring folks to sing in a certain way, to worship by our preferred form, to be baptized just like we were, to do church like we do church, etc. If they follow God like I do (because my system is the best one) then they will be more blessed. Did the miracles among them and their experiences of the Holy Spirit come by anything other than faith in Jesus the Messiah? (Note: The Holy Spirit is meant to be experienced and the preferred reading of verse 4 is "Did you experience so many things . . ." rather than "Did you suffer so many things) .
Paul asks six questions to show the Galatian Christians that they have gotten away from the basics and are now submitting to things that are not required by the Lord. Others say they are required and now they are confused. What practices are we requiring of others so that we accept them? What must others do in our mind which makes them acceptable to God and legit family members. Have we added some things (ex. speak in tongues, have a daily quiet time, wear certain clothing, etc.). You see, the legalism here has to do with good things that the Jews did-- keeping the sabbath a certain way, following the Jewish calendar, being circumcised, etc--and not merely about things some may not allow (drinking, smoking, wearing dresses etc.)
Beginning in verse 6 Paul breaks out OT texts to show his opponents (and the Galatians) that a Jewish flavored system of Christian living was not God's intent for everyone. Abraham (Gen 12) was accepted by God due to His faith and not by following a God-given way of living which was given to the Jewish people. Those who rely on faith alone are sons of Abraham. Those not of faith are not his children--even though they may even have the blood heritage. In fact, the gospel was proclaimed in Genesis 12--the Great Commission of the OT. It says that Abraham and his family was to be a blessing to all the nations. From the beginning God planned to rescue people from every nation, tribe, and language (Rev 5, 7) by faith. However, Israel failed in bringing this about and became internally focused and misunderstood God's purposes as if to say that all must follow as they did--by adherence to a temporary system of religion.
Paul's opponents would have said that to practice Christianity in the Jewish way is the way to the greatest blessing. On the contrary says Paul . . .requiring the Jewish expression actually brings a curse because one who lives by the Jewish law must keep all things written in it--which is impossible. Paul uses Deut 27:26 and Leviticus 18:5 to establish that human effort is no way to live and then shows that "by faith" is the way to live (according to Abraham and also what God says in Habakkuk 2:4). And of course, this practically means a wide variety of Christian practices are acceptable to God. One should read Galatians and be reminded of other things Paul has written regarding the way we live by faith-- don't want to eat meat . . . no problem. Want to celebrate one day as more important than another no problem. Want to have a drink of alcohol . . . no problem. Want to require a church membership class for potential members . . . no problem. Want to baptize by pouring . . . no problem. Want to require a uniform for those coming to church . . . no problem. Just don't require everyone else to do or not do what you do or don't do-- because the Lord doesn't! Accept others who practice different because they have different convictions or a different culture. They are just as equal a member of the family as you and have also been declared not guilty through the sacrifice of Jesus. This is the whole main point of Galatians.
Paul concludes this section by pulling the big stumbling block out of his bag, namely that the Messiah, Jesus was crucified as a criminal. As a result, according to God-given Jewish documents (Deut 21:23) the Messiah was under God's curse. The Jews had no framework to accept this (and had we been Jewish when Messiah came we may have also rejected the message of the cross). Why did Jesus become a curse? To remove the curse that comes about by all of our failures to live up to God's requirements! As a result of God's law we are all under a curse. However, it was the Father's will to crush His Son (Isa 53) and forsake Him (Ps
To conclude this section Paul shows that the blessing of Abraham (Gen 12) and the promise of the Spirit (from the OT) has come on all who respond to the sacrificial death of Jesus by faith alone. Gentiles are full members of the family--even though they don't follow a Jewish system of living. Jew and Gentile are now one family and one cannot be arrogant against the other. There is one way to family membership (through Jesus by faith). This was God's intent from the beginning. That which has divided peoples for thousands of years has now been torn down. What walls between yourself and others need to be torn down?
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