You Cannot Compromise the Gospel

Galatians 5:7–12 (NIV),

⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Paul encourages them and admonishes them at the same time.  They were running well as long as they were obeying the truth. "They believed and lived rightly: but now they did not so, since they were misled by the false apostles." [1]  "Who cut in on you?"  They were running a race so well but another runner cut into their lane pushing them off course; slowing up their progress.  The appeal of the "judaizers" is not from God.  I cannot be.

Now here we come to an insightful statement: "A little yeast works through the whole batch."  How many times do we entertain alliances with those who have "just a little yeast."  Roman Catholicism, which is modern day Judaism in its priesthood and sacraments is touted as Christians as just a little wrong!  Paul gives no room for those who do not believe in justification by faith alone to be in the same camp as those who do.  Giving in on this one little area opens up multitudes of more error.

Verse 10 shows Paul's confidence that those who are truly in Christ will come to their senses and that those who are seeking to lead them astray will receive retribution from the Lord.  These people may have been accusing Paul of preaching circumcision to the Jews and otherwise to the Gentiles. But he responds to say that if he was preaching circumcision, why are the Jews persecuting him? No, there is one message, the message of the Cross.  "The Cross uproots the doctrine of salvation by human merit. Salvation is by grace alone, and justification is by faith alone; there can be no compromise." [2]

Then Paul makes this scathing condemnation: “I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves.” (Galatians 5:12, NLT). "All the ancient Greek interpreters and most modern scholars apply this to the self-mutilation practiced by the heathen priests of Cybele. Paul speaks with satire."  [2]

Again, we mustn't escape the truth that false doctrine infects our lives; those that promote false doctrine neither care for our soul or care for the Cross.  It seems unseemly for Christians to speak with such vehemence but strong words carry with it the passion of intolerance.  Intolerance is necessary when it comes to matters of the Gospel.

Father, the infiltration of culture and postmodern thought causes us to bristle at Paul's caustic and sarcastic comments. Yet it shows the response of the righteous to those who mess with Your Good News.  Grant me such an inward grace and persuasion that I will not compromise the Truth by saying what is wrong, or not saying what is wrong.  May the power of the Cross pervade my convictions.  Yet, in Paul here, I see a man who had confidence in You and in those whom You have called.  Praise God that those truly bought with Your blood are kept by Your Power.  You are the Victor.  You are the King.  You reign.  Amen!

______________________________________

1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 5:7). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2397). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Saving Faith Hopes and Works By Its Very Nature.

Galatians 5:5–6 (NIV),

⁵ For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Paul has just affirmed that to trust works and sacraments for salvation is to render Christ of no importance and no value. To trust Christ and then add sacramental duties as if to complete your salvation is to "fall from grace."   Now Paul uses two sentences started with the word "for."  

1. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.  The faith that saves, the faith that is a gift of God and brings the sinner into a justified relationship with Jesus, is a faith that also hopes for the realization of a practical righteousness.  We know that we are legally justified, but we also hope for a time when we are really justified (meaning that sin is finally expunged and we are glorified).  Even in our outworking of the Christian life we do not consider these efforts of good works to make us righteous.  Our hope is not in our good deeds. Our hope is in the complete righteousness that will be seen in us at the coming of Christ. 

"For as long as we live here, sin remaineth in our flesh; there is also a law in our flesh and members, rebelling against the law of our mind, and leading us captives unto the service of sin (Rom. vii. 13) . . . It remaineth then that we be perfectly justified, and this is it which we hope for. So our righteousness is not yet in actual possession, but lieth under hope." [1]

Luther in a very pastoral way shows us that often times we want to "feel" our justification even as we "feel" our sin.  But to "feel" our justification is to set aside "hope."  "Wherefore, thou must not judge according to the feeling of sin which troubleth and terrifieth thee, but according to the promise and doctrine of faith, whereby Christ is promised unto thee, who is thy perfect and everlasting righteousness." [1]   This hope is not something we conjure up.  No, it is by the Spirit.

2. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. So Paul repeats the affirmation.  If you are a Christian, trusting in Christ Jesus alone, works of the flesh, sacramental duties -- obeying the Law has no value -- no value as compared to Christ and Christ alone.   But there is something that counts: faith working through love.  This faith that saves is a ". . . living and active thing and produces love." [2]  "This coincides with the familiar statement, “Faith alone justifies, but the faith which justifies is not alone.” [3]   Luther comments: "It is as much to say as: He that will be a true Christian indeed, or one of Christ’s kingdom, must be a true believer. Now he believeth not truly, if works of charity follow not his faith." [1]

"The second point is that true faith, having an ethical side, works itself out "through love." This is what matters—this kind of faith! True, we are saved through faith rather than by works; but faith is no mere intellectual conviction, as if a Christian could do as he wishes so long as he believes properly. This is a horrible idea, as Paul writes elsewhere (Rom 6:1, 2)." [4]

True faith works.  The saving faith that is a gift from God is a faith that is accompanied by the will and the ability to work out one's salvation.   So Paul is essentially dealing with two objections.  First the objection is how can you say that you are made righteous by faith in Christ alone and still know you have sin in your life?  Your righteousness is a fiction.  Secondly Paul is handling the objection, well if you believe in justification by faith alone, then you have an easy-believism that means your saved and can live any way you want.  Both objections are dealt with. True saving faith intrinsically hopes and works.  Any other definition of Christian faith is wrong.

Father Your Word covers it all. It leaves no gaps. In this unique area of discussion there have been so many who have sought to controvert the truth of salvation alone in Your Son, alone. They have sought to mount all the arguments.  But Father, Your massive guns of Truth blow them to smithereens. When we find Your Word sufficient and true we can trust it.  Salvation is neither based on a feeling or self-effort.  It is hope and faith working in love.  May You find me in the activities of this day trusting You for that better day when I will be fully justified, head to toe; and may You find in me that wonder working power that is really Your gift to me -- working and serving Christ to the glory of God.  Amen and amen!

______________________________________

1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 5:6). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2254). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2396). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

4. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/III. The Call to Godly Living (5:1-6:10)/B. The Danger of Falling From Grace (5:2-12), Book Version: 4.0.2

Giving Someone a Fresh Start Solves Little

Drs. Gentry and Wellum quote Dr. Bruce Waltke with this insightful comment:

"The sin of Noah sheds light on the human plight,  At one time or another, most people become disgusted with what is going on in the world -- the intractable problems among people: hatred, prejudice, and greed that lead to cruelty and war.  The problems are insoluble because hatred and prejudice are burdens of our depraved nature and our history.  Because we cannot change or forget, our nature and memory looms us.  In response, the idealistic one among us ask: 'What if we started over? What if we expunged history and wiped the slate clean?' The account of Noah puts the lie to that solution." [An Old Testament Theology, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007]

This is profound in a pastoral sense and very helpful. We have all heard the modern proverb: "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got." [1] When people mismanage their finances, paying off their debts and giving them a "fresh start" will not solve the problem.  So too with all sin.  God's saving grace doesn't merely forgive past debts and give people a new beginning.  God's justifying mercy forgives all sins: past, present and future.  He adds to the slate of the believer the righteous perfection of Jesus Christ.  He gives to the Christian a new heart that is bent on loving and obeying Him.  And He gives to this child of the King His Holy Spirit to grant him or her the will and the ability to live in a way that pleases Him.

Wiping the slate clean never solved anything.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV).

“I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.” (Jeremiah 32:39–40, NIV)

 

That's better than a new start.  It's the promise of a secure future.

God not only gives the Christian a new beginning; but He also ensures a certain ending.  That's better than a fresh start.

______________________________________

1. W.L. Bateman, http://www.quoteworld.org/quotes/1051#ixzz3AJ4v4fix

The Hating Love for the Unrepentant.

Psalm 119:113–120 (NIV),

¹¹³ I hate double-minded people, but I love your law. ¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. ¹¹⁵ Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God! ¹¹⁶ Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. ¹¹⁷ Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees. ¹¹⁸ You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing. ¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes. ¹²⁰ My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.

Psalmist’s Love For God’s Law	Psalmist’s Response to the Wicked
but I love your law.	I hate double-minded people,
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.	Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. 117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.	You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes. 120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.

Father You have placed me here in this world, along with my brothers and sisters, in an environment where ungodly people surround us, live with us and work with us.  There is at times a desire to withdraw from them.  Elsewhere You teach us that this is not the right response.  They need Christ and they need salvation for You are a terrifying and holy God.  There does seem a time when withdrawal is right though and that is when our unbelieving friends make it hard for us to fully obey You. Lord grant grace and wisdom in those moments, to do what is right.  Those are precarious moments when we have to separate ourselves from wrongdoers.  Sustain us in those times when we have to make hard decisions.  Lord, may the end of the wicked never be forgotten. Your judgment is terrifying.  We long for justice to be done Father, but we also long for the salvation of the lost.  The hatred of the wicked seems odorous to us, but even You hate the wicked -- even Your wrath is upon those who will not repent.  This seems so harsh and so unlike a loving God.  But Father you do not love the unrepentant at the expense of the love for Your holiness and Your glory.  Yet is was Your love that sent Christ into this wicked world to save sinners such as I.  Thank you Father for Your mercy.  May I love the sinner in a similar way by bringing Christ to them.  For His glory and for the eternal joy of all peoples.Amen

No Middle Ground!

Galatians 5:2–4 (NIV),

² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Here Paul is stirred with great passion.  He speaks clearly, boldly and without fear of man.  To put your trust in circumcision for salvation is to make Christ useless. As Luther has stated so well:

Whosoever teach that there is anything necessary to salvation . . . besides faith in Christ, or shall devise any work or religion, or observe any rule, tradition, or ceremony whatsoever, with this opinion that by such things they shall obtain forgiveness of sins, righteousness, and everlasting life; they hear in this place the sentence of the Holy Ghost pronounced against them by the Apostle, that Christ profiteth them nothing at all." [1] 

I mean, think about it, if you can battle sin, gain forgiveness through your own work, then why was Christ brought into this world?  What was the purpose of His shed blood, death and resurrection, if you can add to your salvation? "This is therefore a most certain and clear sentence, that Christ is unprofitable, that is to say, he is born, crucified and risen again in vain to him that is circumcised, that is, which putteth his trust in circumcision." [1] 

But Paul does not stop there.  Not only will adding to Christ, devalue Christ, but note this: ". . . they which are circumcised, are debtors to keep the whole law . . . He that is circumcised, if also a debtor to do the whole law. For he that receiveth Moses in one point, must of necessity receive him in all. He that of necessity observeth one part of the law, hath a duty to observe all other parts thereof." [2] You can't pick and choose your favorite laws.  You obey Moses or put your faith in Christ.  There is no middle ground.

To those who profess Christ and then seek to add merits to their salvation, they are, by definition "fallen from grace."  They have left grace.  "Paul is not discussing here the question of whether a genuine believer can lose his or her salvation. He is only saying that people who may once have made a profession of faith, if they now are truly seeking to be justified by the law, must not really have a relationship with Christ and have fallen away from the grace that was offered and available to them." [3]

Luther's summation is compelling: "Whoso teacheth then that the law is necessary to righteousness, teacheth a plain denial of Christ and of all his benefits, he maketh God a liar, yea he maketh the law also a liar: for the law itself beareth witness of Christ and of the promises made as concerning Christ, and hath foretold that he should be a king of grace, and not of the law."[4]

Father, You have sent Your Son to be born under the Law, to completely and perfectly obey the Law, to die for the sins of Your people who disobey the Law and to bring new Christ-pleasing life in us who are born of the Spirit.  You leave no room for ritualistic, religion to augment or shore-up what Christ alone has done.  There is no middle ground.  We either believe You or call You a liar.  We either trust Christ or obey to perfection the works of the Law.  You leave no doubt, no ambiguity, no wiggle-room.  It is Christ and Christ alone.  Father, kill all forms of performance-ism, performance anxiety and performance pride in me today.  It is Christ alone who has performed for me.  He alone is my hope and assurance.  Grant to be a delight in grace. Grant that I would be strengthened by grace, not by self-effort.  For the truth and the glory of Christ, I pray.  

_______________________________

1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 5:2). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 5:3). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

3. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2253). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

4. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 5:3). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Do You Swear to Obey at All Costs?

Psalm 119:105–112 (NIV),

Declaration of Following God's Direction

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 

¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. 

          Commitment to Trust, Praise and Receive God's Direction in Suffering

            ¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word. 

                  ¹⁰⁸ Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. 

          ¹⁰⁹ Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. 

                  ¹¹⁰ The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. 

Heartfelt Joy in Following God's Direction

¹¹¹ Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. ¹¹² My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.

Father, I'm not quite sure about this oath business.  I recall that when Daniel was taken to Babylon, he decided in his heart to follow You.  I think that is a worthwhile rite.  That is to take an oath to obey You.  Oath taking is serious.  Elsewhere You warn us about taking oaths.  Besides, it is You that says, "Do not take the name of the Lord in vain."  This is weighty stuff.  A part of me wants to say with all the zeal of Peter, "Lord I will never disobey You."  But I know Peter.  I'm a lot like Peter. Lord, I hope it's not a cop-out but as much as this sinner desires to make this commitment to You, would You allow by Your grace and mercy such a covenant?  I desire with all my heart to obey You. I would like to be the kind of man that reads Your Word and obeys without hesitation.  Even as David reveals in this song, may I be willing to obey You in spite of and in the midst of suffering.   Lord I long that by Your Spirit you would make Your law the delight of my soul.  Keep my heart fixed Oh Lord.  Keep it fixed.  For Your glory and my joy.  Amen.

When The Law Is Finished With You -- It Slaughters You.

So as Paul concludes his theological argument he affirms: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.” (Galatians 4:31, NIV).

Now, he moves into that topic in Galatians 5:1 (NIV) with this exhortation:

¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

The imperative verb is στήκω [pronounced stay·ko] meaning to: "to stand firm; to persevere, to persist, etc." [1] Herein we see the purpose of Christ saving us: to set us free and therefore the command to stand in that freedom is a natural appeal on the basis of that purpose.  "Paul commands the Galatians to keep the agitators from turning them from freedom to slavery—from faith in Christ to life under the law." [2]

"Since the Jews of Paul's time spoke of "taking the yoke of the law upon oneself," it is likely that Paul is referring to such an expression here. To the Jews the taking up of the law's yoke was good; indeed, it was the essence of religion. To Paul it was assuming the yoke of slavery." [3]  "If ye will be made free (say they) from sin and death, and obtain righteousness and life, then fulfil the law, be circumcised, observe days, months, times, and years, offer sacrifices, and do such other like things; then shall this obedience of the law justify and save you . . . This liberty then is not given unto us by the law, or for our righteousness, but freely for Christ’s sake: which thing Paul here witnesseth and plainly declareth throughout his whole Epistle." [4] 

Then Luther gives a great illustration:

"For, like as oxen drawing in the yoke with great toil, receive nothing thereby but forage and pasture, and when they be able to draw the yoke no more, are appointed to the slaughter; even so, they that seek righteousness by the law, are captives and oppressed with the yoke of bondage, that is to say, with the law; and when they have tired themselves a long time in the works of the law with great and grievous toil, in the end this is their reward, that they are miserable and perpetual servants." [4] 

So we take a tenacious, resolute stand against any who would draw us back into slavery to the Law, bondage to self-effort.  We fight against who would make our performance meritorious in salvation.  We have been freed from such obligation by the precious and efficient blood of Christ.

Free from the law O happy condition
Jesus hath bled and there is remission
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall
Grace hath redeemed us once for all [5]

Father, this is war.  The Enemy has come in to spy our our freedom; and then mounted a subversive, covert assault on our soul. Clothed with the garb of religion and good works, he has summoned us again to lay our necks under the instrument of bondage and despair.  But Oh thanks be to You, Father, for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He came to set us free. Condemnation cannot hold us.  Guilt cannot hold us.  Death cannot hold us.  For if the Son has set us free we are free indeed.  Grant to us the discernment to be able to spot the subtle movements of the Enemy attempting to trap us again into this life of incarceration.  Grant grace to withstand the subtle approaches that he uses.  Grant us and You have commanded us the perseverance to stand.  For Christ sake and our freedom, I pray.

___________________________________________

1. Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

2. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

3. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/III. The Call to Godly Living (5:1-6:10)/A. Summary and Transition (5:1), Book Version: 4.0.2

4. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 5:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

5. Philip Paul Bliss, Free From the Law, © Words: Public Domain, Music: Public Domain

 

Proclaim Liberty!

Galatians 4:28–31 (NIV),

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. ²⁹ At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” ³¹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

So the Apostle brings this conclusion: If you are a Christian you are like Isaac.  You are a child of promise.  You are the believing seed that is identified "and your children after you." But here's the downside: "Whosoever are born and live in Christ, and rejoice in this birth and inheritance of God, have Ishmael for their enemy and their persecutor . . . But God overthroweth their judgment and pronounceth this sentence against them, that because they are the children of the bondwoman, and persecute the children of the free-woman, therefore they shall be cast out of the house, and shall have no inheritance with the children of promise; to whom only the inheritance belongeth because they are the children of the freewoman." [1]  Legalists, slaves hate people who are free, but will have no part of the blessing.

This also implies "that those who teach the false gospel of justification by works should not be allowed to remain and teach in a church that follows Christ." [2]  "Christendom is critically infected with the deadly doctrine of the legalists. The crying need of the hour is for uncompromising men to proclaim the liberty in Christ which is the birthright of every believer." [3]

This then will lead us to the next topic that Paul addresses:“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV)

 

Father this is decisive language of the Apostle.  It is not politically correct.  It will hurt people's feelings.  Christians are not to dance with those who do not believe in justification by faith in Christ and Christ alone.  Stop the music.  We are to cast them out.  We are to ἐκβάλλω [ek·bal·lo] -- deprive them of power and influence -- expel them -- with force but not violence. I live in a time Father where this is not accepted.  We are to tolerate people.  As long as they believe in Jesus.  This is the kind of language that gets people into trouble Father.  Will I have the courage of these biblical convictions to be strong in this day of tolerance?  Grant Father, even as that ancient brother prayed, grant me the ability to do Your will.  May the chips fall where they may.  Fight for freedom.  Freedom which Your Son and my Savior bled and died for. There is no compromise for the fame and glory of Christ and the ultimate freedom and joy of His Church.  Amen .

__________________________________

1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:29). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2253). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2395). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Singing The Praises of Truth

Psalm 119:97–105 (NIV),

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 

          ⁹⁸ Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. 

        

 ⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 

¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. 

                                 ¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. 

¹

⁰² I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. 

¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 

          ¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. 

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Father it is clear that when I love your Word and I relish the taste of Your truth the end result will be a hatred of what's wrong.  Your Word is my guidance.  I pray for increased passion to love and cherish Your Word. What insight comes from this Your Word:  I must obey You so that I stay away from evil, but Lord I see that when I am engaged in evil it makes it hard to obey You. Grant me the grace of forsaking -- forsaking sin. Yes, at times I look at those opposed to me and wonder why they don't get it.  Sometimes I wonder why some people don't see it.  But it's Your grace to me that I should understand.  It is Your grace to me that when Your Word is before my eyes and my heart -- it is You who is teaching.  And Lord if You do not teach me through Your Word, I will not get taught.   Oh that we may all see this.  I also am aware that insight into Your Word is also the result of meditation and careful thought upon it.  May it be my food throughout the day, Oh God.   Oh may we all grasp the riches of  Your Word. May our palates delight in Your truth and may that lead to insight, caution, obedience and disdain of everything that is evil. Keep my passion in You and Your truth.  Without Your help I will wander.  

Sinai, the City and Slavery

Galatians 4:24–27 (NIV),

²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

We believe that Paul wrote these things under the direct inspiration of the Spirit. Because of the infallible leading of the Spirit, Paul had permission to do something we do not, that is, make figurative or allegorical conclusions from real biblical events. See my blog HERE that describes an example of that.  In this case we are told that Hagar and Sarah, previously mentioned, also produce a figurative lesson for us. "Abraham is a figure of God, which hath two sons, that is to say, two sorts of people who are represented by Ishmael and Isaac. These two are born unto him by Agar and Sarah, the which signifieth the two Testaments, the Old and the New." [1]

The giving of the Law and the constituting of a people (Israel) is likened to Hagar's son.  They are people born of the flesh; carnal and not sons of promise. Sinai, constitutionally brought a great people into existence, but a people born not of promise.  Israel as a nation, according to the flesh, are not heirs of God, but servants.   "Ishmael then is not the heir, although he be the natural son of Abraham, but remaineth a bondman. What is here lacking? The promise and the blessing of the Word." [1] (see previous blog HERE for explanation.)

Then Paul continues the allegory and says that as as Hagar represents Sinai, so too does it prefigure the earthly Jerusalem. "That earthly Jerusalem (saith he) which is beneath, having the policy and ordinances of the law, is Agar, and is in bondage with her children; that is to say, she is not delivered from the law, sin and death. But Jerusalem which is above, that is to say, the spiritual Jerusalem, is Sarah." [1]  So what is this heavenly Jerusalem?  "Now this heavenly Jerusalem which is above, is the Church, that is to say, the faithful dispersed throughout the whole world, which have one and the same Gospel, one and the same faith in Christ, the same Holy Ghost, and the same Sacraments." [1]  This is supported by the writer to the Hebrews and the Apostle John:

“But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22–24, NIV) 

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2, NIV)  

"The heavenly Jerusalem is a free mother with free children." [2]  (This is an important segue into Chapter 5).  And then Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1.  There was a sense where the Church was hidden for many years.  The Church, even as Sarah, birthed no children.  Paul called this “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.” (Colossians 1:26, NIV).  But she who was thought to be barren will bear many, many children.  "As Isaiah prophesied (Isa. 54:1), the exile did not spell the end for the people of God. God will again work supernaturally to bring about the (new) birth of children where there are none, even among the Gentiles." [3]

God never intended the nation of Israel, ethnic Israel, Israel born from and under the Law, to bring spiritual fruit.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh (John 3:6).  No there is a spiritual Israel, the true people of God, born of the Spirit who are the spiritual offspring and promise of God.  We as New Covenant people know that this productive people are called the Church.   

Father, how sad it is that millions of people, including Christians are seeking to find hope within the ethnic nation of Israel.  They are looking for Your Presence among the lands of Palestine and in the ancient city of Jerusalem.  Yet Father Your Word is plain and clear that hope is found in the true Church, the Body of Christ; and it is there where You are loved, adored and worshiped that we can know Your Presence. Israel according to the flesh will never bring forth spiritual children; but the Israel of God, the Church is "appointed to bear fruit. Fruit that remains."  For that we sing. For that we rejoice.  At the same time we pray for the many zealous Jews and the many deluded Christians who are looking to Palestine for freedom. What bondage they are in.  Freedom is Your gift to us who look to You within the Spirit-wrought New Covenant. Praise God, Jehovah has sent His Messiah; and His Messiah reigns!  May all see Christ and sing for joy.  Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth, on men to whom God is well pleased.  Amen.

____________________________________________

1.  Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:24-26). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2394). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 

3, Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2253). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

What Makes The Difference?

Galatians 4:21–23 (NIV),

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. ²³ His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. 

Now Paul tells us that these things are to be taken figuratively or allegorically.  That is the Greek word: ἀλληγορέω [allegoreo].  "Now Paul was a marvelously cunning workman in handling of allegories; for he is wont to apply them to the doctrine of faith, to grace, and to Christ, and not to the law and the works." [1]  What is an allegory?  "A popular form of literature in which a story points to a hidden or symbolic parallel meaning. Certain elements, such as people, things, and happenings in the story, point to corresponding elements in another realm or level of meaning. The closer the resemblances between the two realms, the more detailed is the allegory. The best allegories are interesting, coherent stories in their own right and through the story provide new insight into the realm they depict (e.g., Pilgrim's Progress and The Narnia Chronicles)." [2]

"Paul does not deny the historicity of the account of Abraham, but he does affirm that there is an illustration of spiritual truth to be found in the account concerning Hagar and Ishmael on the one hand, and Sarah and Isaac on the other." [3]  Now the important issue here that sets the tone for what will follow is to be very clear about the difference between Hagar and Sarah.  They both had the same father.  There is in a sense that their births were both physical.  Yet Paul notes a big difference.  Isaac was born as a son of promise.  That's the key.  Notice how John picks up this issue: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12–13, NIV).  That's the same thing: born not of human decision or will, born because of the preceding promise of God.

For although Isaac was born of the flesh, yet the promise and appointment of God went before . . . Ishmael therefore is born without the Word, at the only request of Sarah." [4] This is also emphasized by Paul in Romans 9. “. . . For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.” (Romans 9:6–8, NIV)

"And by this argument he mightily stoppeth the mouths of the proud Jews, which gloried that they were the seed and children of Abraham: as also Christ doth in the third of Matthew, and in the eighth of John. As if he said: it followeth not, I am the carnal seed of Abraham, therefore I am the child of God; Esau is the natural son, therefore the heir. Nay rather (saith he) they that will be the children of Abraham, besides their carnal birth, must be also the sons of the promise, and must believe. And they only are the true children of Abraham, and consequently of God, who have the promise and believe." [4] [Emphasis mine]

How are we then to understand this dividing issue: the promise?  The promise is a word from God that will be fulfilled by God, even as Isaac was born of God's miraculous activity. [5]  Isaac's birth was God's work.  In other words when someone is born from above (or regenerated; or granted the New Birth) that event occurs because God promised it and fulfilled it. It is, as theologians call it, monergistic. They are born of the Spirit.   

What is the major difference between Ishmael and Isaac?  It's not an issue of who is an Arab and who is a Jew.  It's far more global than that.  The difference is the miraculous birth.  That's the same difference between saved and unsaved; believers and unbelievers; Jews and Christians; etc.

Father, the doctrine of the New Birth is both exhilarating and humbling.  To know that in Your eternal and Triune mind You made a promise to bring sons and daughters into Your Kingdom and You chose to do that individually and by name is amazing.  To know that You dispatched Your Holy Spirit to make that happen is incredible.  But to know that this is the only difference in distinction to those who are in Your family and those who are not is humbling.  Who can boast?  What glory can Isaac take in comparison to Ishmael.  You set Your promise on one before he did anything good or evil.  What an amazing God You are!  

____________________________________

1.  Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:21). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2.  http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/allegory/

3. Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Ga 4:24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

4. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:22). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

5. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2253). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Your Word Is Exalted.

Psalm 119:89–96 (NIV),

⁸⁹ Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. ⁹¹ Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. 

⁹² If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 

⁹³ I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. ⁹⁴ Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts. ⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes. 

⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.

Father: eternally established, secure, immovable, without end and without rival is Your Word. Your Word: the expression of Your infinite, all-wise, all-knowing mind.  There is none like You. There are good things all around me, but Your Word is perfection to the 'nth' degree without end. Your Word, like You, is sovereign.  Nothing dictates to Your decrees.  Your Word trumps all other competitors.  Your Word, Oh Lord, is my life and my life-jacket.  Without Your Word there would be no hope, no survival, no point.  To such greatness, my only suitable response will be, I will -- I will seek them, I will ponder them and I will not forget them. Help me, Father to be faithful to Your Word even as You are faithful in Your Word.  Amen.

I Hope Pastors, Teachers, Bible Study Leaders -- All Christians Will Read This!

This is part of a conversation, not a condemnation.  Please think with me.  I'll explain in a moment why I chose not to make this an attack on any particular person.   Take a look with me at a particular passage that we are all aware of.  It's found in Luke 24:13–35.  Click HERE to remind yourself of this story.

In verses 1-12, the human author recounts the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This is obviously a momentous and victorious event.  Luke alone, tells the story of the two disciples walking along the Emmaus Road.  If you were going to provide teaching on this subject would the following appear acceptable to you?

• Is the context about frustrated, disillusioned, discouraged disciples?
• Is the point of the passage is to show that Jesus enters our world in order to bring peace?
• Are there 3 main teaching points?  Are they:
• A. To find the peace of Christ through His Presence you must "Behold"[1].  That is, you must lean and and look for Him in the midst of your crisis? 
• B. To find the peace of Christ you must "take him home"?  That is, you have learned that these men were coming from a huge and momentous gathering of people in Jerusalem and are now on their way home.  To enjoy the manifestation of His Presence you must look for Him at home in the midst of your circumstance.
• C. To find the peace that Christ gives you must ask Him to come into all the dimensions of your home (i.e. “But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.” (Luke 24:29, NIV)?
• When you discovered in verse 16 that their eyes were kept from seeing Him, would you assume that this was because of some fault of their own?  And respectively when their eyes were opened in their home, was that because they had invited Jesus into all the rooms of their home? 

If you agreed with the bullet point 1, then I would certainly agree with you -- to a point.  Good start!  If you agreed with all the other bullet points, your are in company with a popular Christian speaker and author.  My question is this, "Why did the Holy Spirit inspire Luke to record this event?"

• Did God want us to know how to encounter Jesus along life's road?
• Is this a real-life parable that reminds us that along life's road Jesus comes along our sides, points us to the Bible and reveals Himself to us?

What is the exegetical message that comes to us today by the Spirit through His inspired Word?

• Were the disciples not despondent because they did not understand the Old Testament?
• Did not Jesus need to show them that their entire Scriptures pointed to Him as the Divine fulfillment?
• Did not the disciples sense a deep stirring at His exposition?
• Did this not provide direct eye-witness evidence to the resurrection of Christ?
• Finally, is the point of the story, granted credibility when Luke records: “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” (Luke 24:33–35, NIV) 

So ... can we honestly assume that to preach a message based upon the bullet point in blue, is "rightly dividing the Word of God?" (2 Timothy 2:15).  

I cannot bring judgment on the speaker eluded to in this blog, nor the countless number that use the Bible this way.  The reason is that when I examine my old sermons I used to also allegorize the text.  It is a common fault.   Some of the great preachers of old did this often.  It doesn't make it right.

Brothers and sisters we are not story-tellers.  We are to expound and expose the text. The task of the preacher/teacher is clearly enunciated in Nehemiah 8:8 (NIV),

⁸ They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

Brothers and sisters, give them the meaning of the text, not the meaning you'd like the text to say. I welcome your comments.



_____________________________________
1. Taken from the KJV: "And, behold, two of them went that same day . . .."

A Genuine Pastor's Heart

Galatians 4:12–20 (NIV),

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. ¹⁵ Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? ¹⁷ Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. ¹⁸ It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. ¹⁹ My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, ²⁰ how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Luther is right when he states that "this place is not dialectical, but full of affections, which must be handled rhetorically." [1]  He means that Paul is not arguing his case here, but is appealing to the Galatians on an emotional level rather than a doctrinal level.  We are to read it that way.    So Paul appeals to the Galatians to hold to the same affection, the same charity that he has toward them.  Not all agree with this interpretation.  For example consider this notation:  "In order to bring the gospel to the Gentile Galatians, Paul had to leave behind the legal restrictions of the Mosaic ceremonial law that forbade Jewish interaction with Gentiles (1 Cor. 9:19–23). Paul became “like” the Galatians in freedom from the law and he now encourages them to be “like” him in freedom from legalistic bondage." [2]

Paul has applied a scathing rebuke to these believers but he affirms that their behavior did not do wrong to him.  In other words: "ye have not offended me, but yourselves, and therefore I am thus troubled, not for mine own cause, but for the love I bear unto you." [3]  Paul then reminds them of his time with them.  He refers to an illness that they bore admirably; and they welcomed him in a godly manner.   "The exact nature of this illness is not known. “Because” apparently means that Paul was detained in Galatia by this illness and therefore took the opportunity to preach to them." [4]  Luther likens this illness as part of Paul's affliction through persecution.  "We see then that Paul calleth “infirmities of the flesh” the afflictions which he suffered in the flesh, like as the other Apostles, the prophets, and all godly men did; notwithstanding he was mighty in spirit . . . Now this infirmity of the flesh in the godly doth wonderfully offend reason. Therefore Paul so highly commendeth the Galatians, because they were not offended with this great infirmity, and these vile [and contemptible] forms of the cross which they saw in him; but received him as an angel, yea as Christ Jesus." [5]

Now Paul plays his trump card.  “What has happened to the satisfaction you felt at that time? There were some of you then who, if possible, would have given your very eyes to me—that is how deeply you cared!” (Galatians 4:15, The Message).  What has changed?  "Am I an enemy because I told you the truth,?" Paul asks.  And then "he reproveth here the flattery of the false apostles. For Satan is wont, by his ministers, through wonderful subtilty and crafty sleights to beguile the simple, as Paul saith: “With fair speech and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. xvi. 18)." [5]

"As if he said: True it is that they are very zealous towards you, but by this means they seek that ye again should be zealous towards them and reject me." [5]   Zealousness and a seemingly loving approach do not in themselves mean that these false apostles are sincere.  They are simply 'sheepstealers.'  "It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good." [6]  "It is good for someone to take a warm interest in you in an honorable manner. Paul zealously sought the Galatians for Christ, and he welcomes all such efforts in relation to the gospel of Christ." [7]

Verse 19 exudes the tone of a true pastor, a true shepherd of the flock: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,”  "In the OT, the image of a woman in distress during childbirth is juxtaposed with an act of great deliverance (Isa 42:14). Jesus also used this imagery when speaking to His disciples (John 16:21–22). Paul hopes that this letter will deliver the Galatians from the agitators’ distortion of the gospel." [8]

"Now, the form of a Christian mind is faith, or the confidence of the heart that layeth hold upon Christ, and cleaveth to him alone, and to nothing else." [9]  Paul would rather be there with them than write to them.  He believes his tone would be different in that case.  He longs to care for them as a true shepherd.  “. . . I am perplexed about you!” (Galatians 4:20b, NIV).   This is the Greek word ἀπορέω meaning: to be without resources, to be in straits, to be left wanting, to be embarrassed, to be in doubt, not to know which way to turn, etc. [10]   "Paul was at his wits’ end, not knowing the best way to prevent them from the error into which they were drifting." [11]  This too is the heart of a true pastor. The false shepherds have all the answers.  The true shepherds are perplexed within but know the One who does have the answer!

Father this is an insightful, challenging, comforting, convicting paragraph from Paul's pen.  As a pastor, it is timely and relevant.  Sometimes the shepherding of Your sheep is the most perplexing task.  With a sincere love for the truth and the people to whom You have given me responsibility I am often amazed at what I hear and see.  I think of those brothers and sisters who are affirming and kind and yet seem to unconsciously run after teachers that carry false and destructive messages. It's a quandary! Do they not hear me?  Is their applause simply fool's gold?  Father I pray that my heart will remain as the Apostles, loving and kind -- hopeful and confident, in You.  It's not about me.  It is my pride that assumes that everything I say and do has substantial affect.  Sometimes we have to hear things over and over to get it.  At the same time I do appreciate the love and encouragement that I get.  I will live with these times of perplexity and trust you to work them through.  I have a Great Shepherd.  To even His disciples He said they were "slow of learning."  But I too am His disciple and am no better than any other.  My Lord must look at me many times and be perplexed. "Why doesn't he get it?" He must think.   Thank you for the Cross.  Thank you for the Blood.  Thank you for the truth that nothing can snatch me from Your hand.   Lord Jesus, become fully formed in me and my Church.  Grant a Spirit-wrought revival of Christian maturity, for the glory of Christ. Amen.







___________________________________________
1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:12). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
2. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Ga 4:12). Nashville: T. Nelson.
3. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:12). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
4. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2252). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
5. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:13). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
6. The New International Version. 2011 (Ga 4:18). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
7. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2393). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
8. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 4:19). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
9. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:19). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
10. Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software
11. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2393). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.