Gospel Freedom in Galatians
Background: What was the key issue in the early church? Race. Culture. Issues that are still with us today. The church at its inception on Pentecost was essentially 100% Jewish and the Apostles and the church in Jerusalem seemed content to keep it that way. Then God called a Pharisee named Saul to salvation and set him aside as an Apostle to the Gentiles. Over the next 30 years, the church became primarily Gentile with a Jewish minority, and many Jews fought it.
Galatians was Paul's first letter, written at the end of his first missionary journey when Gentiles began to come to Christ in droves. A group, sometimes called Judaizers and sometimes the circumcision party, opposed the inclusion of Gentiles in the church. If they were to be part of the church, they needed to become Jewish - follow the law and Jewish rituals. Paul fought them tooth and nail his entire ministry. The gospel was for the whole world.
Galatians is a powerful argument for a gospel free from the works of the law.
As often as time allows, the reader is encouraged to read the entire book - it will not take more than a few minutes. Each day we will work our way through the book passage by passage.
Today's Reading: Galatians 1-6 Focus Passage - Galatians 4:15-20
Where, then, is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So then, have I become your enemy because I told you the truth? 17 They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them. 18 But it is always good to be pursued in a good manner—and not just when I am with you. 19 My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. 20 I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.
Through the Bible Readings: Ezekiel 25-26, Philemon, Psalm 119:153–160, Proverbs 27:14–16
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional: Uncompromising Stands
When you read Romans and Ephesians, you encounter highly developed and organized theological treatments of the Gospel and accompanying truths. Galatians is different. It contains personal stories that explain the problems presented by the circumcision party in the churches of the area.
Paul has been expressing his sorrow and dismay that the Galatians had reverted to Judaistic practices instead of remaining faithful to the Gospel of Christ. In this passage, he reminds them that at one time, they were loyal to him. They would have "torn out (their) eyes and given them to (Paul)." This, by the way, leads many to believe that Paul's physical problem mentioned previously was likely a problem with his eyes, perhaps a result of his blinding at his conversion.
Now, there are false teachers who were courting the affections of the people, seeking their loyalty so that they could lead them astray. They would return to the practice of Sabbaths and festivals and circumcision instead of practicing salvation by grace through faith.
The difference between Paul and the Judaizers was twofold. Paul was seeking to focus their hearts and minds on Christ and the gospel, while these false teachers were seeking to enslave them to other ideas that the truth of Christ. Paul would not tolerate that. We want to be tolerant and accepting, but when gospel truth is at stake, we must stand strong as Paul did.
Paul's second concern, building on the gospel, was that "Christ be formed in you." He was not pushing an organization or trying to lead a movement. He wanted every person who came to Christ to become like Christ. Paul knew that Christ was formed in our lives when we walk by the same faith that saves us.
When it came to God's grace poured into our lives by faith, Paul was uncompromising and bold.
Father, may I be like Paul, standing strong and firm on the Gospel and on your grace.
Think and Pray:
Are you willing to stand strong when fundamental truth requires it
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