Bible Pathway - Dec. 1, 2009
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Don't be deceived — there is only one Gospel that provides eternal life (1:6-9)! The Lord sent Peter to Jews, Paul to Gentiles (2:8). The Law produces death; Life is the gift of our Creator God through Jesus Christ (2:16-21).
Abraham is mentioned eight times in chapter three to remind us that faith in the redeeming grace of God does not begin with the New Testament. God gave Abraham the promise that through His Son the whole earth would be blessed. In thy Seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice (Gen. 22:18). Four hundred and thirty years after confirming this Covenant to Abraham's grandson Jacob, God provided the Law and revealed how its sacrifices temporarily foreshadowed the coming Christ. He is the End (Fulfillment) of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth (Rom. 10:4).
The Law representing the perfect will of God was given that we could see what hopeless sinners we really are and how impossible it would be for us to please God.
The Law was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made (Gal. 3:19). Wherefore the Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (3:24).
The Law, like the faithful schoolmaster, allows the sinner to recognize that he cannot possibly keep the perfect standard of God. Forgiveness and life are all available through a personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Not only did Christ die for our sins, but He made it possible for us to be born again: As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name: which were born . . . of God (John 1:12-13).
The key to pleasing God is being led by His Spirit. Therefore, it is vital that Christians read all of the one-and-only, God-inspired guide to life to discern the will of God.
There is no other way to avoid Satan's deceptive tactics. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Rom. 8:13-14).
Giving thanks unto the Father . . . Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:12-13).
Thought for Today:
What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the Law: for I had not known lust, except the Law had said, Thou shalt not covet (Rom. 7:7).
Cross References:
For Gal. 3:6: See Gen. 15:6. Gal. 3:8: See Gen. 12: 3; 22:18. Gal. 3:10: See Deut. 27:26. Gal. 3:11: See Hab. 2:4. Gal. 3:12: See Lev. 18:5. Gal. 3:13: See Deut. 21:23.
Word Studies:
1:13 conversation =daily behavior, attitude of life; 2:13 dissimulation =insincerity, hypocrisy, and pretense.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Military worldwide • Arabic International Shortwave Broadcasts for the month of December sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer • Staff: Dr. John A. Hash • Government Official: Rep. Gary Peters (MI) • Country: Mongolia (2.4 million) in east-central Asia • Major language: Khalkha Mongol • As a 70-year era of communism wanes, Bibles are now on sale in the capital, Ulaanbaatar • 95.5% Tibetan Buddhist; 4% Muslim; .3% Christian; .2% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Trust the Lord and ask Him to direct your steps (Ps. 143:8).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 18:33
