“Who are the SONS OF ABRAHAM?”

Galatians 3:6-9
6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

In our last teaching covering Galatians 3:1-5 we saw that Paul made it very, very clear to the Galatian believers that they were saved not by the “works of the law, or by the hearing of faith.” Now, he takes it a step further and shows that the way of faith has always been God’s way, EVEN in the Old Testament. To prove this is so, he uses the most respected Jew in the Old Testament – Abraham.

Abraham believed in the Christ who was to come, just as we trust in the One who has already come.

Note: Paul references Abraham 8 times in chapter 3 and once in chapter 4. Understanding of Abraham is key to understanding righteousness by FAITH alone (not of works). The spiritually blind Jews of that day had never expected “Father Abraham” would be used as an example of salvation by Faith alone (not of works). Surprise, Surprise!!!

Verse 6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted (credited, or declared) to him for righteousness."

Believing in God resulted in Abraham being credited righteous.

Paul uses the truth that Abraham was declared righteous by “faith alone” in contrast to the Jewish (Rabbinic) belief that God blessed Abraham because of his meritorious deeds (a tradition of man).

In verse 6 Paul is quoting from Gen. 15:6 – “ And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” *before being circumcised*

Abraham “believed GOD” and it (his believing) was counted righteous, JUST LIKE the Galatians (gentiles), who through faith, not by doing deeds/works, were also made righteous.

Isn’t it amazing how clear things are in the Bible when our eyes are opened!

Note: There may be some repetition here, but I believe this is a truth we can’t spiritually afford to miss. I hope you’re getting it! Sadly, most “Christians” today have a works based relationship with God.

Verse 7 Therefore (consequently) know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

Only by FAITH is it possible to be “sons of Abraham.” The Jews didn’t like that!!! Paul’s words were a stinging rebuke to the false teaching of these Judaizers. Decent by bloodline does NOT create sons of Abraham in the sight of God. The thought that you could be of the flesh, from the lineage of Abraham (Jewish) and NOT be true “sons of Abraham,” and thus, have salvation from the Lord, was not what they wanted to hear or had been taught.

Even Jesus told the Jewish leaders who were against Him, “…You are of your father the devil…” (John 8:44)

What a shocker! You have to understand the Jewish people were very proud of their relationship with Abraham. The trouble is they thought their blood relationship to Abraham guaranteed them salvation.

NOTE: Do we not see this same problem today? People think if they are brought up in a Christian home that they are automatically Christian. In the Northeastern United States where I grew up, if you asked someone if they are a Christian, they usually say “I’m Catholic” and that comes to most by being born into it; or here in the south where I live now, the most common thing you will hear is “I’m Baptist” or some other denomination. *This is not a bash against Catholics, Baptist, etc. – My closest friends come from a variety of churches. But that wasn’t the question!!! I asked if they are Christian!!! Christians are not born that way and you aren’t Christian just because you go to a church. ALL Christians at some point yielded their lives to Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It has well been said, “God has NO grandchildren.”

Then verse 8:
Verse 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."

God did and continues to justify all who come to Him by FAITH ALONE.
You could be a “Gentile” (non-Jewish) and by FAITH be “sons of Abraham.” Thus, the Lord said to Abraham, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."
(See Genesis 12:3)

Verse 9 So then, those who are of faith [including Gentiles]are blessed with believing Abraham.

The believing (of faith) Gentile is as equally blessed as the (of faith) believing Jew.

By “Belief in God” – Meaning those who have entered into a real relationship with God as master of their lives, not just head knowledge (mental-assent) that we see so common today.

For more on this topic (Abraham and faith) in the holy scriptures, please read all of Romans 4. As some have put it, Romans 4 is the best commentary on Galatians 3.

Question: Are you among the true “Sons of Abraham”?

You are if you have believed (complete trust and abandonment) on the Lord Jesus Christ.

I also pray that if you have lived a legalistic, works kind of contact with God,
that the Lord will set you free to live a faith-filled, loving relationship with God through our living Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

THIS CONCLUDES THIS WEEK’S TEACHING.

I look forward to questions, comments, and testimonies from you.

Freedom Series: “Stop Your Foolishness!” Gal. 3:1-5

Galatians 3:1-5

¹ O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? ² This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ³ Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? ⁴ Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? ⁵ Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

As we start this new section of Galatians (Chapters 3 and 4), we will get into the Biblical doctrinal position and the Gospel of Grace.

These two chapters should set you and me free from any form of legalism or self-centeredness in our Christian life. May we all grow as we study these next 60 verses.

Today, we will see some questions Paul asked these Galatian believers.

He was having them evaluate the foolishness of their being influenced by the Judaizers, who falsely taught that salvation required not ONLY faith in Christ, but also circumcision and keeping of the law.

As we look at this verse-by-verse, I will try to accurately expound on these verses based on the Greek (New Testament originally written in Greek) and in the context of scripture.

¹ O foolish (Gk. Anoetos - stupid) Galatians!

[Question One] Who has bewitched [fascinated by emotional appeal of Judiazers] you that you should not obey the truth [that is the pure Gospel], before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed (plackered, announced on a poster) among you as crucified? Answer: Judaizers (and their own stupidity).

Check out brain before entering Church
(nothing preached is to be questioned – NOT!)

Verse One: In the Greek “foolish” is the word “Anoetos” – It is meaning that the Galatians were being foolish/stupid because they weren’t thinking this through scripturally!!! They were getting misguided by Judaizers. Letting themselves get sidetracked from the very clear message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified that they had received when Paul preached to them.

Application: Watch your “emotions” or “anything” that is getting you off the PURE Word of God. We need to be careful! Don't Check Your Brains OUT at the Door. We aren’t supposed to be “stupid” and swallow everything we hear hook, line and sinker when we go into a church or hear a sermon. We need to be like the “Berean” believers who, after hearing Paul preach, it says, “…searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (See Acts 17:11)

²[Question Two] This only I want to learn from you (we would say, answer this one question) Did you receive the Spirit by the works (legalistic observance) of the law [Answer: An obvious NO], or by the hearing of faith? [Answer: An absolute YES]

The Galatians had to agree that they received the Holy Spirit as a free gift of God from the sovereign God apart from any good works or human merit on their part. Faith was awakened in their heart through the preaching of the gospel (by the Bible). It is so important that we preach the Bible that faith may arise in the hearers heart (See Romans 10:17).

³[Question Three] Are you so foolish (stupid)? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect (complete, brought to spiritual maturity) by the flesh?

“…made perfect by the flesh…” In other words, by your own human effort!!!

Anytime you start in the Spirit and go back to the flesh, which is trusting in yourself, i.e., it is independent reliance on one’s own accomplishments rather than trust in the Holy Spirit. When that happens, you are going backward not forward!

⁴[Question Four] Have you suffered so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? They suffered ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in vain!!! All they had suffered/experienced in and for Christ was NOT IN VAIN and they knew it.

Their salvation was a work of Christ from beginning to end!

Don’t fall for legalism to grow spiritually, it won’t happen!!!

This brings us to our fifth and final question!

⁵[Question Five] Therefore He who (constantly) supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles (Gk. Dunamis – elsewhere translated “Power”) among you, does He do it by the works of the law [no], or by the hearing of faith?— [yes]

The Galatian believers had to remember how they came into their relationship with God (Christ) in the first place, which was by a work of the Holy Spirit. The evidence of the Holy Spirit changing them and doing miraculous things in their lives was clear! It didn’t happen by the law, and it won’t happen by the law. But it is and always will be by the hearing of faith (the Gospel).

What can we learn for our lives from this passage.

1. We can start right – Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and go backwards and try to get “closer” to God by works!!! I would venture to say when you and I got saved (by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ), we did so of a pure heart. THEN others (in the church, or so-called Christians) said you needed to DO MORE! Thus, was the beginning of a love relationship with God turning into a sad, miserable, and legalistic relationship with God. It is so sad to see the life of God sucked out of a new believer by legalism.

Note: This is absolutely NOT saying we can live a life of sin. A true Biblical salvation experience will ALWAYS lead to a changed life!!! (Ezekiel 36:26, 27 & II Cor. 5:17) Sin will lose its overwhelming power over you (you are no longer a slave to sin, but to righteousness - Romans ). I like to tell people when we get saved (and as we grow spiritually) God will change our “WANT TO’s.” We will find we no longer “want to” sin. We “want to” live in fellowship with God, not out of legalism, but out of a love relationship with God. ISN’T THAT AWESOME!!!

I also pray that if you have lived a legalistic, works kind of contact with God,

that the Lord will set you free to live a faith-filled, loving relationship with God through our living Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

THIS CONCLUDES THIS WEEK’S TEACHING.

I hope to get questions, comments, and testimonies back from you all.

My book review of RADICAL by David Platt

Periodically (once ever month or so) I will be reviewing a book for WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. This is my first review I hope you find it helpful.

We will be back to Galatians next week. Starting with chapter 3. I apologies for having to put off the Galatian study until next week.

As I started my read through “Radical,” the one thing that concerned me was the author pastors a mega-church and is talking about Third World countries where Christians have to secretly meet in small gatherings. I wondered how he could relate to their situation.

Chapter 1 - A great start to the book as David begins by dealing with the struggles to live as “Radical,” and also gives examples of true life stories about how different Christianity is in other parts of the world. Stories he shares throughout the book are touching!

Chapter 2 – An interesting thing I note in this chapter and throughout the book is how God is moving in other parts of the world in small “house churches.” He deals with a different God-honoring mindset in believers in Third World Christianity.

Chapter 3 – We are so prone (especially in America) to trust in our own power and not in the power of God, even though we mistakenly think we are trusting in God when we really are not!

Chapter 4 - I love the way he emphasizes “World Missions.” It is hard to read this book and still have the old excuse of “I’m not called to the mission field” or “my mission field is America.

Chapter 5 – In this chapter, David deals with, “How do we make God’s glory known in all nations?” He then shares on what discipleship looks like, and the theme continues throughout the book.

Chapter 6 - What a great chapter on American wealth and world poverty! It seems the author struggles himself with where to draw that line on the acceptable lifestyle we can live with regard to American prosperity. He also discusses how our convictions vary in how to use our wealth for God’s work.

Chapter 7 - There is NO plan B!!! This chapter could stand alone as a booklet on why ALL need to come to God through Jesus Christ. He sums this up in seven vital truths. Great chapter!!!

Chapter 8 – This chapter might cost you your life - See Matthew 10:39. In this chapter we learn that the Lord’s will is not always safe, often He calls us to do dangerous things for Him. This chapter will also open your eyes to many wonderful truths in Matthew 10 that have otherwise been skimmed over or avoided. That is until now! Matthew 10 will forever be a part of me now.

Chapter 9 – In this closing chapter, David suggests a one-year “experiment” for those who want to be a “radical Christian.” While the 5 areas (steps) are good (very good) that David lays out, I look at them as a good “suggestions” for what to do now that you have read the book. After reading this book, the Lord may lead you to do these 5 steps or He may lead you differently (maybe even more radical).

My closing words of the book, “Radical” is that even if only 1 percent of us who have read this book take it to heart and apply it to our lives, I believe we would have a different American church, and a better one at that! I still wonder if our overly large churches and our many expenses cut into our attempt to be “Radical” Christians.

My conclusion in reading and reviewing this book is not to concern myself with David Platt or his church, but to hear the message for the truths it speaks to ME personally.

I encourage all to read this book!

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.”

Read entire chapter one here for free:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/36473030/Radical-by-David-Platt-Chapter-1

Available at www.amazon .com (http://tiny.cc/ft81v) at a great price!

Freedom Series "Crucified with Christ" Gal. 2:15-21

v. 15-16 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles [both are in need of salvation], knowing that a man [person] is not justified by the works of the law but by [means of] faith IN Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

1. "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law" Justification is an either-or, it is NOT a both-and! It is either justification by works or justification by faith. It can't be both!

2. "but by faith IN Jesus Christ" Justification is by CHRIST ALONE! No merit or labor of your own! Even the FAITH is not ours but given to us by God!!! Otherwise we could boast of OUR FAITH!

Note: Sadly, many do boast on THEIR FAITH (thus giving themselves credit). Ephesians 2:8, 9 clearly shows that we can't boast in the grace or in the faith as they are gifts of God.

Justification is an ACT of God.

Justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ. In Justification, God declares the believing sinner righteous.

I like Ray Pritchard’s definition of Justification: The word “justify” means to “declare righteous.” It refers to a verdict from the judge that allows a defendant to go free. It means that the defendant is declared not guilty, innocent of all charges, and there is no record against him in the eyes of the law. If you are justified, your record is clean and clear and you are free to go. To be justified is the opposite of being condemned. If you apply that truth in the spiritual realm, it looks like this: Justification is that act of God whereby he acquits guilty sinners (that is, he declares them innocent), on the basis of the death of Christ. This gift of justification is received solely on the basis of faith wholly apart from good works of any kind. Justified sinners are thus pardoned, acquitted, set free, accepted by God, and treated as righteous.

If this be true [and God's word says it is so], observing the Jewish laws cannot justify us, why should we still obey the Ten Commandments and other Old Testament laws?

We know that Paul was not saying the Law is bad, because in another letter he wrote, “the Law is holy” (Romans 7:12).

Instead, he is saying that the Law can never make us acceptable to God.

The Law still has an important role to play in the life of a Christian.

The Law:

(1) guards us from sin by giving us standards for behavior;

(2) convicts us of sin, leaving us the opportunity to ask for God’s forgiveness;

(3) drives us to trust in the sufficiency of Christ, because we can never keep the Ten Commandments perfectly.

v. 17-19 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we (Jews) ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! [or GOD FORBID] For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor [when we sin it’s not the fault of a faulty Gospel, but it’s ours]. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.

To imply this message, allows Paul (or any believer) to go back to their old way of life, and even sinning (continuously as a way of life) is IMPOSSIBLE.

Because we have all been infected by sin, we cannot keep God’s laws perfectly. Fortunately, God has provided a way of salvation that depends on Jesus Christ, not on our own efforts. Even though we know this truth, we must guard against the temptation of using service, good deeds, charitable giving, or any other effort as a substitute for faith. All the law has done was to show his own helplessness.

So verse 19 ends with... For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. DIED to LAW, thus LIVE to GOD.

Now that I have "died to the law" the outcome of that?

v. 20 I have been (past tense-positionally) crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me [CHANGING MY DESIRES – MY WANT TO’S]; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. "I have been (past tense-positionally) crucified with Christ..."

That is why I'm dead to the law (which includes self-acheivement/merit for favor with God), because I died with Christ, I identify with His death and also with His life! He is my life!!! Legally, God looks at us as if we had died with Christ. Because our sins died with Him, we are no longer condemned (Colossians 2:13-15).

Being “Crucified with Christ” implies a RADICAL transformation within the believer.

Paul realized that on the cross, a "great exchange" occurred. He gave Jesus his old, try-to-be-right-before-God-by-the-law life, and it was crucified on the cross. also with His life! He is my life!!! “…NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, but CHRIST lives in me…” (See Colossians 1:27)

If you truly are a Christian, then you must see and believe that Jesus gave His life for your life – Christ came to live in him. So your life isn't your own anymore, it belongs to Jesus Christ! We doesn't own our life (that life died); we are simply "managing" the new life Jesus gave us.

THOUGHT: Are you a believer? If so do you recognize the “GREAT EXCHANGE” that took place for YOU on the cross? Are you aware that as we have been crucified with Christ, so we no longer live for ourselves (self-centered) but for Christ?

Our Christian life began when, in unity with Him, we died to our old life (see Romans 6:5-11). And yet the focus of Christianity is not dying, but living. Because we have been crucified with Christ, we have also been raised with Him (Romans 6:5). “…the life which I now live [it’s new - All different in a good way now] in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

What can we say except thank you Jesus, thank you for your love for me and thank you for given your life for me!

v. 21 I do not set aside [to make void] the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

Salvation is only by the GRACE OF GOD and work of Christ ON THE CROSS.

Believers today many still are in danger of acting as if Christ died needlessly.

How? By their own brand of Christian legalism, they are giving people extra laws to obey. By believing they can earn God’s favor by what they do, they are not trusting completely in Christ’s work on the cross.

If we could be saved by being good, then Christ did not have to die. But the cross is the only way to salvation.

CONCLUSION: To say salvation can be obtained by any human effort is an INSULT to the GRACE OF GOD and to the CROSS OF CHRIST, for it declares both to be unnecessary.

All that is required of us to be JUSTIFIED, therefore, is to acknowledge OUR SIN and OUR HELPLESSNESS, to REPENT of our years of self-assertion and self-righteousness, and to put OUR WHOLE TRUST and CONFIDENCE in Jesus Christ to save us.

We conclude this week and this chapter.

Next week we start chapter 3 Invite others to join us here or on our Facebook group.

Paul Takes a Stand (No More Racism) - Galatians 2:11-14

NOTE:

In verses RED is actual verse,

BLUE is my inserted thoughts for clarity,

and Green is the Greek meaning, not always seen in English.

v. 11-12

Now when Peter had come to Antioch [third largest city in the Roman Empire with a half million people] at this time , I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed [this shows us Paul’s Apostolic authority]; for before certain men came from James, he would eat [love/agape feast] with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew (Gk. Hupostello – In the imperfect tense meant gradually) and separated (Gk. Aphorizo – Complete and final separation) himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

PETER’s PRESPECTIVE:

Peter came to Antioch and, at first, he was enjoying 

fellowship with his Gentile brothers disregarding the

old taboos. He shared the common meal with his 

Gentile brothers.  It was all cool and good to eat

together until some strictly Jewish Christians from

Jerusalem came across Peter in Antioch.  Then, 

Peter “withdrew” in the Greek it meant he 

gradually pulled away from eating with the

Gentiles. Also, the word “separated” in the Greek 

meant a final separation from eating with Gentile 

believers.  

Peter let them (Jewish believers) get to him and he 

FEARED them.  Knowing they did NOT approve 

of a Jew EVER eating with a Gentile 

(even if both are saved – hmm!)

Peer pressure (in the form of FEAR) got the best of

him.  

Peter, so to speak, folded under the pressure (fear).

THOUGHT: Do we let the “fear of man” influence us 

in how we act or who we hang out with.

Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a snare.”

Peter knew Gentiles could be saved – Acts 10, and in

Acts 15:9 he stated that God had “…put no

difference between us (Jews) and them (Gentiles).”

So his behavior of no longer eating with Gentiles was

nothing short of being hypocritical.

v. 13-14

And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward (lit. walking straight) about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all [public rebuke, not private], "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles [Peter no longer observed Jewish food regulations] and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

PAUL’s PRESPECTIVE:

Paul could not allow Peter to do this. It was hypocritical

on Peter’s part, and because of Peter’s role (influence)

in the early church, his hypocritical actions could lead 

others astray.

Although Peter was a leader of the church, he was 

acting like a hypocrite.  He knew better, yet he was 

driven by fear of what others would think. 

Paul knew that he had to confront Peter before his

actions damaged the church.  

Paul did not wait to correct Peter.  It made no 

difference to Paul that it was “one of the pillars”

of the church – Peter!  

It was wrong, and that was all that mattered to him. 

A famous name can never justify an infamous 

action to the point that other Jews believers

followed Peter’s (poor) example, and

EVEN Barnabas was influenced. (v. 13)

THOUGHT: Today, we see many high-profile 

ministers who are almost considered above 

correction.  The name of the minister or fame

of a Christian does not make them exempt from 

living Christ-like.  We need to stand for the

truth regardless of who it is that is promoting error.

With the acceptance of Christians being either 

Jewish believers (plus keeping the law and traditions)

and also of Gentile believers being Christian

(but not required to keep the law and Jewish traditions),

resulted in two distinct classes of Christians

(Jew believer more looking down on Gentile believer)

in the church.  Not a good thing.  This is a real problem

today, too.

Example: I see Jewish believers (original branch) acting 

like they’re one up on Gentile believers (grafted into 

the branch).  I think it’s great to see Jewish believers, 

but that doesn’t make them one up as believers 

because they are Jewish.  Also, people do this regarding

tongues or no tongues, water baptism sprinkled or 

immersed, etc, etc.  We will have varying views on

“non-essentials”areas, but we do need to stop making

these distinctions points of division, or acting like one is

a better Christian than another because of his

NON-ESSENTIAL beliefs.  

BOTTOM LINE WE ARE ALL SAVED BY GOD’S 

GRACE – NO CREDIT TO YOU!

It could not be right that the Gentiles come to God 

by grace and Jews come to him by the law. For Paul

there was only one reality - GRACE.

A church ceases to be Christians if it contains 
clas
s (or race) distinctions.

Three practical truths we learn from this passage are:

1. Great leaders can fall - May God help us to test every 

message we hear by His Word, and help us from

exalting ANY human leader above measure.

2. God’s grace means no second-class Christians - 

May we never distinguish in the body of Christ 

those of different social status, race, or anything else.

3. Standing for the Gospel can be lonely – Paul stood

alone here.  History shows many great Christian 

leaders stood alone.

So, we conclude this week’s lesson

on Galatians.

This coming weekend we will cover

Galatians 2:15-21 (conclude chapter 2).

Do invite people to join us at: http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/

or on FB go to the group: “Galatians Study”

Comments welcome!

Galatians - Freedom series – “Freedom Fighter" Gal. 2:1-10

Breakdown of materials in Galatians:
Chapters 1 & 2: Paul tells of his own experience.
Chapters 3 & 4: Doctrinal position of the Gospel of Grace.
Chapters 5 & 6: Application of the Gospel of Grace.

As we go into Galatians 2:1-10 I encourage you to read Acts 15:1-35, as they are sharing the same time period and should add to your understanding of this Galatians study.

We can call Paul a “Freedom Fighter” as he was not going to allow false teaching (Judaizers – A mixture of law and grace for salvation) to come into Galatia. Paul would fight to keep this gospel from being corrupted by legalism.

Defending the Gospel
Verse 1 - Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.

Jerusalem was “like” the headquarters (Bible Belt) of Christianity. Paul was led to speak to the Christian leadership there, but needed to be careful not to say too little and seem to be abandoning his principle beliefs, and not to say too much and seem to be at variance with the leadership there.

God's timing is best – How would you handle it if God kept you some place (or from some place) for 14 years while you’re wanting to go – All in His timing!

Barnabas [name means “son of encouragement] was one of Paul’s closest friends (see Acts 9:26-28).

In Acts 13:1-Acts 14:28, after his return from Arabia to public preaching, who did he look for but his friend Barnabas! We see Barnabas accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey – they were a team!

THOUGHT: Don’t we all need “Barnabas – Encouragers” in our life!
Maybe you also need to be a Barnabas/Encourager to someone else!

Brief thought on Titus: Titus was a Gentile believer. Apparently, he came to Christ through Paul’s ministry. (See Titus 1:4)

Verse 2 - And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.

Paul went by the Spirit's leading to Jerusalem and got together with the Christian spiritual leaders there to clarify the issue of, whether Jew or Gentile, salvation is by Christ alone and that salvation does not require a Gentile believer to be circumcised. Now all believers are on the same page – Salvation comes through the grace of God!

Verse 3 - Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

It’s quite possible Paul took Titus to Jerusalem to show the fruit of an uncircumcised Gentile believer. Since salvation was not by any works, he did NOT need to be circumcised.

Verse 4 - And this occurred because of false brethren [fakes - in this case Judaizers, not Christian at all] secretly brought in [crept in, a gradual infilteration] to spy out [with a critical and hostile intent] our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage,

This is the typical pattern of false brothers.
False Brethren --> Secret Spy --> Take away liberty --> Result: Bondage

We have these in almost all churches today. They may act like a Christian, but inwardly their motive is to infilterate and destroy our gospel-given FREEDOM! Be on the alert for them!

Those who try to add any works (circumcision/law) to salvation are ultimately taking away our liberty/freedom we have in Christ and bringing us into bondage!

THOUGHT: Has the peace and joy in your Christian walk disappeared and been replaced by a peaceless/joyless “have to do” works orientated salvation? Check to make sure you didn’t allow some false teaching into your life. This may be the first time you have recognized it!

Verse 5 - to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Any wavering here and the gospel of grace would have been hurt or gone.
Basically, he didn’t allow false teaching for even an hour [not for anytime].

THOUGHT: Do we see a works salvation being preached around us? If we do, we shouldn’t put up with it for a second!

Note: We are NOT talking about FRUIT that will follow a true conversion

Verse 6 - But from those who seemed to be something [James, Peter and John] - whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man - for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.

The wording here seems strong, but Paul was not meaning disrespect for Jerusalem church leaders, but taking them off their “superstar”status [still a problem today], clearly stating God doesn’t have any favorites. Paul had the truth (just like them). They were leaders in the Church [Jerusalem] but they didn’t change Paul or his message. The gospel of truth is the same everywhere!

THOUGHT: I see this “superstar” image among many ministers. We need to get past that and respect their gifting from God, but still see them as people just like you and me.

Verse 7 - But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised [Gentiles] had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised [Jews] was to Peter.

All this is indicating a calling to a certain group of people. Peter, by God’s direction, was primarily called to preach Jesus Christ to the Jews; whereas, Paul was called primarily to the Gentiles.

Verse 8 - (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles),

THOUGHT: All people need to hear the same gospel message, but we may feel led/inclined to reach out specifically to a certain group with that message.

Examples: Inner city, drug addicts, bikers, or any other people group you can think of.

Verse 9 - and when James, Cephas, and John [all ministering to the Jews],who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship (Gk. Koinonias – carries with it the idea of partnership, being in this together), that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

If you get the “left hand of fellowship” that’s not good. The “right hand of fellowship” is good. That meant they were working together (partnering) for the goal of the evangelizing of all people. Thus, the Christian leadership in Jerusalem gave their approval to Paul’s ministering Jesus Christ to the Gentiles without the requirement of circumcision or keeping the Jewish law.

NOTE: I’m sure the enemies' dream was to divide the church, but praise be to God they all agreed on the One Gospel message for all people!

Verse 10 - They desired only that we should remember the poor [specifically in Jerusalem], the very thing which I also was eager to do.

They did ask that Paul remember the poor, meaning more specifically the poor in Jerusalem, which was obviously no problem since that was already in the heart of Paul.
(See Romans 15:25-33; I Cor. 16:1-4 and II Cor. 8:9)

THOUGHT: Are you remembering the poor?

Concluding thought:
Please let this letter speak to you and free you from any man-made bondages!

Next week we’ll continue with verse 11.

Please pass this on to others – Thank you!

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