Bible Pathways 12/01/2003
December 1
Read Galatians 1 -- 3
In Today's Reading:
Only one Gospel; Paul's rebuke of Peter; justification by faith, not the Law; the Law, our guide to Christ
This letter forever settles the fact that there is but one way to avoid eternal hell and to be assured of eternal life in heaven for both Jew and Gentile. Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father (Galatians 1:3-4). We are reminded that no one deserves or earns the right to heaven by keeping the Law. We can only 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 (no one) be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid (2:16-17). The full meaning of God's grace and undeserved loving-kindness was revealed when Jesus died on the cross that we might be delivered from our sin and eventually enter heaven to be with Him.
Since no one has the ability to keep the Law of God, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us (3:13). These facts make us realize our great need of a Savior. The Law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (3:24-25). Instead, we are led and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to be the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you be Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:26-29).
Cross References:
For Galatians 3:6: See Genesis 15:6. Galatians 3:8: See Genesis 12:3,22:18. Galatians 3:10: See Deuteronomy 27:26. Galatians 3:11: See Habbuk 2:4. Galatians 3:12: See Leviticus 18:5. Galatians 3:13: See Deuteronomy 21:23.
Word Studies:
1:13 conversation = way of life; 2:13 dissimulation = insincerity, hypocrisy, and pretense.
Prayer Needs:
BP Staff: Dr. John A. Hash · Pray for the 2003 National Bible Reading Movement · for the Arabic Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast sponsored by Mission for Christ Inc. · for the International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by a family that loves Jesus · Country: Ecuador (13 million) in South America, crossed by the equator · Major language: Spanish · Religious freedom · 91% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Pray aloud with your voice — God hears (Psalm 3:4).
Memory Verse for the Week: Ephesians 5:5
