This is the fourth instalment in studying Apostle Paul’s argument in Galatians. We have also seen that this also forms the fulcrum of all the Pauline doctrine which is the Doctrine of Christ. Please make sure you have read the last three offerings in this column.
Previously we saw how people just pull out verses and start confessing or repenting of something that doesn’t concern them. Galatians 3:13 is a good example, “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:”
We saw that this was in reference to Jews not Gentiles or Greeks. Let’s add another misappropriated chapter. Romans 7:1, The Passion Translation, reads, “I write to you, dear brothers and sisters, who are familiar with the law. Don’t you know that when a person dies, it ends his obligation to the law?”
In general we know that the book of Romans is written to non Jews or to the Gentiles or Greeks. However in chapter 7, Apostle Paul says he’s now talking to those who know the Law by virtue of having been given it by God. That’s the Jewish audience in Rome.
All the challenges of sin, flesh and the Law in this chapter refers to the naturally born Jew. Chapter 8 further proves the point. Romans 8:1, states, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Like I always say, if you’re reading this from the motherland, you’re a Gentile not a Jew. Don’t walk like a Jew but a New Creation born of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible encourages us to study it for approval by God Himself and not to the applause of the audience. You would not want to be ashamed when your audience corrects you. We cut across the Word with diligence. 2 Timothy 2:15 doesn’t mince the words, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Last week towards the end, we emphasised that the New Creation Jerusalem isn’t physical. We quote Galatians 4:26, “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Christian liberty comes from worshipping God in Truth which is the Spirit.
Persecution of those who know that they’re born of the Holy Spirit will continue. Jesus said this about salvation in John 3:5, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water which is the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
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So please don’t be surprised when they say a real Christian follows Jewish moral code and Law. They also trust in the flesh and their so called good deeds or works. Galatians 4:29 warned, “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” If you preach the purity of the rightly divided Word of Truth, you will be called many names.
Jesus encouraged His disciples, Matthew 10:25-26, “[25] It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? [26] Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.”
Apostle Paul encourages us to soldier on with the Truth, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, “[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
Galatians 4:30 is telling, “Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” Trust in the mercy, grace and lovingkindness of God.
No matter how you try to keep the Law, if you break one, you’re guilty of all. The Amplified Classic Bible says in James 2:10, “For whosoever keeps the Law [as a] whole but stumbles and offends in one [single instance] has become guilty of [breaking] all of it.”
Accept the Grace of God which is the Gospel of Christ and enjoy Christian liberty. We’re not of the flesh but of the Spirit, Galatians 4:31, “So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.”
We can’t impress God with our deeds and good works. Isaiah 64:6 Common English Bible is clear, “We have all become like the unclean; all our righteous deeds are like a menstrual rag. All of us wither like a leaf; our sins, like the wind, carry us away.” Choose Jesus’ free gift of salvation.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.
All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.
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