Bible Pathway - December 1

Read Galatians 1

Highlights:

Only one Gospel; justification by faith, not the Law; the Law, our school master.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed . . . let him be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9).

Although Jesus' sacrifice brought salvation through grace, some of the Jewish converts to Christ believed that the Law of Moses was still in effect. They acknowledged Jesus as being the Messiah but still believed that obedience to the Law was essential to salvation. This was forcing believers to live in bondage to something that had no weight when it came to matters of eternity. These Jewish converts were putting a great burden on the Gentile converts who felt forced to try to learn a whole set of laws that were useless to them. They could have spent this time growing closer to and learning how to truly serve Christ. It is just as wrong to place religious customs above true service to God as it is to place our worldly habits above service to Him. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb. 9:14).

The book of Galatians is an appeal to abandon all forms of legalism and enjoy liberty in Christ. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified (Gal. 2:16). We must come to the understanding that since we are unable to live up to the standards of the Law, it will always bring condemnation to us. That is why we must place our trust in Jesus. Through the work of Christ on the cross, we are set free from this bondage of legalism. The Law was fulfilled through Jesus. His righteousness is made available to us to provide what we truly lack. Our unrighteousness separates us from God. Praise the Lord that Christ has given us this great gift of His righteouness. Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:1).

The destiny of lost humanity depends on accepting the true Gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:7). There is no substitute. Our only hope of being delivered from this present evil world (1:4) is to become a new creature in Christ (6:15).

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal. 3:27).

Thought for the Day: Only as we know God's Word can we recognize the difference between error and truth.

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 Suggestion: Pour out your heart in prayer to the Lord for your children (Lam. 2:19).

Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 2:14