Freedom

 Galatians 4:31 "...we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman."

Paul is arguing that as Christians we are under a new covenant and are not beholden to the old covenant any longer. He shared an example using Sarah and Hagar from Genesis. Sarah represented the new covenant and Hagar represented the old covenant.  He asks his Galatian readers which covenant do they want to be a part of-one that keeps us in bondage to the law, or one that frees us from sin through faith in Christ?

It is so tempting for Christians to return to the law.  We like rules, structure, and order...particularly when it comes to our religion.  Plus, the Bible says it!  Right there in black and white we can read the law (10 commandments for example) and well, after all it's the Bible.  We should follow it!  All of the Bible is God's word and is helpful of course, but it's not all equal and relevant for us today.  So how can I teach that and how can I live that?  How can I live my life in a way that exhibits Christian freedom through Christ?

Dear Lord, help me to make sure people see you through me.  Amen.

One

 Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Paul has been explaining the distinctions between the law and grace to the Galatians.  He claims that in this new covenant through Jesus, we are all one.  If we have a shared faith in Jesus, the attributes that formerly divided us, should no longer. Mainly this was an argument to bring unity between the Jewish and Gentile Christians as they now have a shared faith in Christ and are called to shared community.

It is so easy for me to label and judge people.  I guess it's human nature to do this, but as a Christ follower I always should be looking for the best in people and trying to build bridges, not burn them.  Sometimes it feels like Christians are the worst at this.  We label and categorize other Christians in such a way that we feel more animosity towards them then non-believers.  We shouldn't really feel animosity or anger towards anyone, but certainly we should have a sense of unity and love for fellow believers.  How can I extend this grace and love towards other believers today?  

Dear Lord, help me to find unity with others today.  Amen.

Christ In Me

 Galatians 2:20 "...I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

Paul is addressing the issue he had with Peter in Antioch.  When Peter was around Jews he acted (and ate) like a Jew, and when he was around Gentiles, he acted (and ate) like a Gentile.  Paul called him on this hypocrisy and reiterated that the Law is not able to save a person from their sins.  It is through faith alone that a person is saved.  Paul emphasizes that through the grace of God and faith in Jesus, Christ actually lives in us.  

How am I allowing to Jesus to "live in me?"  In what actual ways is the love of Jesus exemplified in me?  In so many ways I have let this slide.  In so many ways my life is indistinguishable from non-Christians.  I read the other day that it is not what goes into our lives that makes us a Christian, but it is what comes out of us-our fruit that matters. How can I produce more fruit? How can I make sure people I interact with everyday see and know that I am filled with Christ?

Dear Lord, help me follow you more closely and produce more fruit.  Amen.

No Other Gospel

 Galatians 1:6-7 "...turning to a different gospel-which is really no gospel at all."

Paul is "astonished" that the Christians in Galatia are beginning to believe and follow another "gospel." Since the beginning of the Church, some Jewish leaders were insisting new Gentile converts become partially Jewish first.  The Church leadership had decided that this was not in fact the case, and all could come to Christ without following any Jewish laws.  Paul tells the Galatians there is just one gospel founded on the grace of Jesus, and that if they ever hear someone peddling a new or different gospel, they should tune that person out. 

What "gospel's do I give credence to?  Am I staying faithful to the one true gospel?  Am I 100% sure this is the gospel I am teaching and sharing with my students and the world?

Dear Lord, help me be crystal clear about the goodness and truth of your gospel. Amen.

Who?

 Romans 8:34 "Who then is the one who condemns?"

Paul is explaining that because God sent his Son to die for us, there is nothing in this world that should worry us or cause us anxiety.  If the God of the universe cared for us enough to sacrifice his own Son on our behalf, why should we be rattled by any temporary troubles?

Scripture is so good and so timely!  I needed these beautiful words today.  The end of chapter 8 is amazing and I probably picked the least exciting verse from it.  But today, it hits home and is exactly what I needed to read.  

God thank you for being awesome.  When I fail you and forget you, you have been there for me.  Amen. 

Hope

Romans 8:24 "For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?"

Paul is talking about the hope that we have because of Jesus.  Our current situation and life is difficult, but we have a hope that one day we will be in heaven for all eternity and everything will be made right.  The kingdom will fully come.  It's here now, but not fully. We haven't yet experienced all that God has for us.  As Paul points out, who hopes for something they already have?  We don't yet have the full kingdom, but it's coming, so we hope!

It's easy to get down about things.  The older I get the more bleak life gets-illness, aging, etc.  Fortunately, I have this amazing hope that this life isn't all there is.  There's more!  And it gets better.  It gets way better.  I need that hope today.

Dear Lord, help me to trust in you and continually be reminded of the hope that we have because of you.  Amen. 

Death or Life, Flesh or Spirit?

Romans 8: 11 "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also giver life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."

Paul is describing the distinction between living according to the flesh or according to the Spirit.  He says those live lives focused on the flesh are living lives of death.  Those who live according to the Spirit live lives of life.  And he implies that if the spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us, we too can conquer death.

My uncle Curt passed away last night in his sleep.  I have not seen or spoken to him in many years, but I remember him being a good man.  He was patient and kind.  Death has a way of refocusing our priorities and forcing us to think of the things that really matter.  Am I focused on the flesh and death, or am I focused on the Spirit and life?  How can I live a life of the Spirit?

Dear Lord, help me focus on the Spirit and life today.  Amen.