Review of "Humble Orthodoxy" a very good short book.

Review of "Humble Orthodoxy"

Before I get into my review let me encourage you get this book!  It is so needed by Christians today.

My first thought in readying the title almost scared me away from this book, just because seeing the word "orthodoxy" personally brings negative, overly traditional connotations to my mind.   But then seeing "humble" in front of it got my curiosity, plus I respect Joshua Harris as a Christian author and pastor.   I'm happy to have read this small book (61 short pages plus an added beneficial study guide). If you're a Pharisee in heart you really need this book, but likely won't want to read it.  As stated in his forward to the book, "Pharisaism is a poisonous weed that grows in every garden of orthodox religion."

In this book the author, Joshua Harris, does not down play the importance of Biblical truth, but stresses the importance of having the right spirit about these Bible truths.  The way in which Joshua uses "orthodoxy" is "...right thinking about God.  It's about teaching and belief based on the established, proven, cherished truths of the faith."  I like that definition of "orthodoxy."  As he expresses "humble orthodoxy" he says, "We must care about truth, and we must also defend and share this truth with compassion and humility."  He says, "We don't get to choose between humility and orthodoxy. We need both."

He brings balance to the whole subject of "biblical truth" and "humility." We so often get in the ditch of all Bible teaching (doctrine) and not an ounce of love and humility, or we get in the opposite ditch of all love, love, love and no concern or priority put on Biblical truth (orthodoxy). As I stated earlier (and worth repeating), I so love how Joshua says we need Biblical truth (orthodoxy) and humility, it's not either or, but both!  

As you prayerfully read this book, hopefully, you will see the need for both and that they don't have to be viewed as oxymoron's, but can flow together.

In one to two short readings you will have read this short book. Even if you do this book as a group, it is basically only going to be 4 sessions (utilizing the study guide in the back of the book).  When you are finished you will have a lot to think about and pray about.

None of us has a right to be proud of the truth we do understand, even that knowledge is all by God's grace!  And none of us has the right to dismiss/compromise the truth in the name of love or humility. 

As Joshua says, "We can demonstrate a humble orthodoxy, holding on to our identity in the gospel.  We are not those who are right; we are those who are redeemed".   

To that I simply say, "AMEN!"

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

I was not required to write a positive review.

Spiritual leprosy of all sinners!

My apologies for not keeping current on these devotions, 

I have other blogs, and also tweet some inspirational and life stuff.

My other blog you may be interested in is:  http://blessedtobeachristian.wordpress.com

and my BibleFood tweets are found at:

https://twitter.com/jimmazzulla

 

This blog will continue too - :-)

 

Today's devotion is written by Charles H. Spurgeon in the 1800's.
It is taken from "The Morning and Evening Devotional"  http://www.ccel.org/ccel/spurgeon/morneve.toc.html 

(Entire year of devotions is online for morning and evening of every day - FREE)

 

Spiritual Leprosy of All Sinners! 

 

“Behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, 

he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague". Leviticus 13:13

Strange enough this regulation appears, yet there was wisdom in it, for the throwing out of the disease proved that the constitution was sound. This morning [today] it may be well for us to see the typical teaching of so singular a rule. We, too, are lepers, and may read the law of the leper as applicable to ourselves. When a man sees himself to be altogether lost and ruined, covered all over with the defilement of sin, and no part free from pollution; when he disclaims all righteousness of his own, and pleads guilty before the Lord, then is he clean through the blood of Jesus, and the grace of God. Hidden, unfelt, unconfessed iniquity is the true leprosy, but when sin is seen and felt it has received its death blow, and the Lord looks with eyes of mercy upon the soul afflicted with it. Nothing is more deadly than self-righteousness, or more hopeful than contrition. We must confess that we are “nothing else but sin,” for no confession short of this will be the whole truth, and if the Holy Spirit be at work with us, convincing us of sin, there will be no difficulty about making such an acknowledgment—it will spring spontaneously from our lips. What comfort does the text afford to those under a deep sense of sin! Sin mourned and confessed, however black and foul, shall never shut a man out from the Lord Jesus. Whosoever cometh unto him, he will in no wise cast out. Though dishonest as the thief, though unchaste as the woman who was a sinner, though fierce as Saul of Tarsus, though cruel as Manasseh, though rebellious as the prodigal, the great heart of love will look upon the man who feels himself to have no soundness in him, and will pronounce him clean, when he trusts in Jesus crucified. Come to him, then, poor heavy-laden sinner,

Come needy, come guilty, come loathsome and bare; You can't come too filthy—come just as you are. My email: Jim (biblefood@gmail.com)  Website: http://www.biblefood.org/

Stand For the TRUTH

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men [don't be cowards], be strong. - I Cor. 16:13


Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand... - I Cor. 15:1


In the last few days I have had the privilege of getting to know a little bit better the stand two Christians are taking for Christ and for the truth’s presented in the Bible, and also over the past few months I have had discussions with many who have made a stand for truth as presented in the Bible.


The one Christian, Madeleine McAulay who I learned of (this week) took a firm, but loving standing for moral truth. This is not always easy in a world that is digressing more and more with time, calling evil good and good evil. (Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! - Isa 5:20). You stand for the truth get ready to be considered a hate-monger, etc. Now that’s one situation in the World.

At same time as this God honoring stand was going on,

there was the pastor full of hate for those in the world.

He is such a false example.

Whereas, most Christians have compassion for those who have bought in to lies about morals, life, etc.
We should wish no evil upon them, but speak the truth in love.

The second Christian, Yasmeen Suri, this week (who I was blessed to chat with) has also taking a stand against those who are living, experiencing, teaching error in the supposed Church leadership in our nation. Her is a woman who has had her eyes open to many false beliefs and teaching among Christian leaders (sadly so-called). Her stand may cost her in some ways, but I believe God will reward her stand.

 Part One

  Part Two
So let’s look at ourselves are we standing for truth! If not why not. We may vary on beliefs in some areas but let’s not fall hook, line, and sinker for the many lies being perpetrated as truth. I am not even talking what I consider minor differences between denominations, but major truths that really can’t be taking in all but one way. As they are no where representative of the God of Christianity.

Again examine your beliefs based of the Word of God (BIBLE) and keep to your biblical convicts.
Step forward Christians in the boldness and compassion of Christ.

I’m proud of both, and hope I would have the same boldness and compassion to speak for the truth.

Two things stick out to me. First, doing this in boldness for the Lord and secondly with compassion for those on the other side of truth.

 They (boldness/compassion) work great together.   Amen!

Devotion: "Liar? Lunatic? or LORD?"

Devotion: "Liar, Lunatic, or LORD" by Josh McDowell


Jesus' distinct claims of being God eliminate the popular ploy of skeptics who regard Him as just a good moral man or a prophet who said a lot of profound things.


So often that conclusion is passed off as the only one acceptable to scholars or as the obvious result of the intellectual process.


The trouble is, many people nod their heads in agreement and never see the fallacy of such reasoning.

Analyzing Jesus' Claim To Be God

C. S. Lewis, who was a professor at Cambridge University and once an agnostic, understood this issue clearly.

He writes: "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -‑ on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg ‑- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God: or else a madman or something worse."

Then Lewis adds: "You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

In the words of Kenneth Scott Latourette, historian of Christianity at Yale University: "It is not His teachings which make Jesus so remarkable, although these would be enough to give Him distinction. It is a combination of the teachings with the man Himself. The two cannot be separated."

Jesus claimed to be God. He didn't leave any other option open. His claim must be either true or false, so it is something that should be given serious consideration.

Jesus' question to His disciples, "But who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15) has several alternatives.

First, suppose that His claim to be God was false. If it was false, then we have only two alternatives. He either knew it was false or He didn't know it was false.

We will consider each one separately and examine the evidence.

Was He a Liar?

If, when Jesus made His claims, He knew that He was not God, then He was lying and deliberately deceiving His followers.

But if He was a liar, then He was also a hypocrite because He told others to be honest, whatever the cost, while He himself taught and lived a colossal lie.

More than that, He was a demon, because He told others to trust Him for their eternal destiny. If He couldn't back up His claims and knew it, then He was unspeakably evil. 

Last, He would also be a fool because it was His claims to being God that led to His crucifixion.

Many will say that Jesus was a good moral teacher. Let's be realistic. How could He be a great moral teacher and knowingly mislead people at the most important point of His teaching ‑- His own identity? You would have to conclude logically that He was a deliberate liar.

This view of Jesus, however doesn't coincide with what we know either of Him or the results of His life and teachings.

Wherever Jesus has been proclaimed, lives have been changed for the good, nations have changed for the better, thieves are made honest, alcoholics are cured, hateful individuals become channels of love, unjust persons become just.

William Lecky, one of Great Britain's most noted historians and a dedicated opponent of organized Christianity, writes: "It was reserved for Christianity to present to the world an ideal character which through all the changes of 18 centuries has inspired the hearts of men with an impassioned love; has shown itself capable of acting on all ages, nations, temperaments and conditions; has been not only the highest pattern of virtue, but the strongest incentive to its practice.... The simple record of these 3 short years of active life has done more to regenerate and soften mankind than all the disquisitions of philosophers and all the exhortations of moralists."

Historian Philip Schaff says: "How, in the name of logic, common sense, and experience, could an imposter -‑ that is a deceitful, selfish, depraved man -‑ have invented, and consistently maintained from the beginning to end, the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality? How could He have conceived and successfully carried out a plan of unparalleled beneficence, moral magnitude, and sublimity, and sacrificed His own life for it, in the face of the strongest prejudices of His people and age?"

If Jesus wanted to get people to follow Him and believe in Him as God, why did He go to the Jewish nation? Why go as a Nazarene carpenter to a country so small in size and population and so thoroughly adhering to the undivided unity of God? Why didn't He go to Egypt or, even more, to Greece, where they believed in various gods and various manifestations of them?

Someone who lived as Jesus lived, taught as Jesus taught, and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar.

Was He a Lunatic?

If it is inconceivable for Jesus to be a liar, then couldn't He actually have thought Himself to be God, but been mistaken? After all, it's possible to be both sincere and wrong.

But we must remember that for someone to think himself God, especially in a fiercely monotheistic culture, and then to tell others that their eternal destiny depended on believing in him, is no light flight of fantasy but the thoughts of a lunatic in the fullest sense.

Was Jesus Christ such a person?

Someone who believes he is God sounds like someone today believing himself Napoleon. He would be deluded and self‑deceived, and probably he would be locked up so he wouldn't hurt himself or anyone else.

Yet in Jesus we don't observe the abnormalities and imbalance that usually go along with being deranged. His poise and composure would certainly be amazing if He were insane.

Noyes and Kolb, in a medical text, describe the schizophrenic as a person who is more autistic than realistic. The schizophrenic desires to escape from the world of reality. Let's face it; claiming to be God would certainly be a retreat from reality.

In light of the other things we know about Jesus, it's hard to imagine that He was mentally disturbed. Here is a man who spoke some of the most profound sayings ever recorded. His instructions have liberated many individuals from mental bondage.

Clark H. Pinnock asks: "Was He deluded about His greatness, a paranoid, an unintentional deceiver, a schizophrenic? Again, the skill and depth of His teachings support the case only for His total mental soundness. If only we were as sane as He!"

A student at a California university told me that his psychology professor had said in class that "all he has to do is pick up the Bible and read portions of Christ's teaching to many of his patients. That's all the counseling they need."

Psychiatrist J. T. Fisher states: "If you were to take the sum total of all authoritative articles ever written by the most qualified of psychologists and psychiatrists on the subject of mental hygiene ‑- if you were to combine them and refine them, and cleave out the excess verbiage -‑ if you were to take the whole of the meat and none of the parsley, and if you were to have these unadulterated bits of pure scientific knowledge concisely expressed by the most capable of living poets, you would have an awkward and incomplete summation of the Sermon on the Mount. And it would suffer immeasurably through comparison. For nearly 2,000 years the Christian world has been holding in its hands the complete answer to its restless and fruitless yearnings. Here ... rests the blueprint for successful human life with optimism, mental health, and contentment."

C. S. Lewis writes: "The historical difficulty of giving for the life, sayings and influence of Jesus any explanation that is not harder than the Christian explanation is very great. The discrepancy between the depth and sanity...of His moral teaching and the rampant megalomania which must lie behind His theological teaching unless He is indeed God has never been satisfactorily explained. Hence the non‑Christian hypotheses succeed one another with the restless fertility of bewilderment."

Philip Schaff reasons: "Is such an intellect ‑- clear as the sky, bracing as the mountain air, sharp and penetrating as a sword, thoroughly healthy and vigorous, always ready and always self‑possessed -‑ liable to a radical and most serious delusion concerning His own character and mission? Preposterous imagination!"

Was He Lord?

I cannot personally conclude that Jesus was a liar or a lunatic. The only other alternative is that He was the Christ, the Son of God, as He claimed.

When I discuss this with most Jewish people, it's interesting how they respond. They usually tell me that Jesus was a moral, upright, religious leader, a good man, or some kind of prophet. I then share with them the claims Jesus made about Himself and then this material on the trilemma (liar, lunatic, or Lord).

When I ask if they believe Jesus was a liar, there is a sharp "No!"

Then I ask, "Do you believe He was a lunatic?" The reply is, "Of course not."

"Do you believe He is God?"

Before I can get a breath in edgewise, there is a resounding, "Absolutely not."

Yet one has only so many choices.

The issue with these 3 alternatives is not which is possible, for it is obvious that all 3 are possible. Rather, the question is, "Which is more probable?"

Who you decide Jesus Christ is must not be an idle intellectual exercise. You cannot put Him on the shelf as a great moral teacher. That is not a valid option.

He is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord and God. You must make a choice.

"But," as the apostle John wrote, "these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and" ‑- more important ‑- "that believing you might have life in His name" (John 20:31).

The evidence is clearly in favor of Jesus as Lord. Some people, however, reject this clear evidence because of moral implications involved. They don't want to face up to the responsibility or implications of calling Him Lord.

Note: This devotion is not original with me, I found it at: http://www.ccci.org

I look forward to bringing and writing many devotions in the future.

In His Service,
Jim
Email: biblefood@gmail.com
Website: www.biblefood.org

Devotion: "Why Did This Happen, God?"

"Why Did This Happen, God?"

" For now I see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known". - I Cor. 13:12


I see through a glass, darkly/dimly (based on I Cor. 13:12)



We often find there are things in life that happen which we JUST don't understand. I have had my share of circumstances where I could question God on things that have happened in my life or around me. I could say, "Why did this happen, God?" With all my studying of the scriptures and what I believe the Bible teaches, I still have times where things that have happened just don't make sense; deaths, illnesses, accidents, relationship breakdowns, and the list goes on. We believe we know why some of these happen, but there are other areas where we just draw a blank. No matter how diligently we study the Word and seek God for answers, we often come up blank or assume the WORST, that God has failed us.

A close friend and I were discussing this issue. We began discussing "Christians" who have fallen away from the LORD; and in many cases, there is some ANGER and BITTERNESS with God over things that have happened in their lives or around them.

Without getting into ALL the theological debates of our often futile attempts to explain these things, I would like to personally share how I have dealt with these "Why, God?" areas in my own life. I feel this will HELP and ENCOURAGE some of you, and prayerfully, BRING SOME OF YOU OUT OF A BACKSLIDDEN STATE.

How I have dealt with this is so basic and practical, yet it has helped me stay in love with my LORD; therefore, I ask you to NOT take my answer too lightly. In spite of my knowledge of the Word of God and thinking I know what the Bible answer is for a given situation, I have learned to acknowledge that God is all-knowing and JIM is not. I see through a spiritual glass or mirror (Thank God, I see!), but ever so darkly, dimly. Now, in ALL my knowing, I ONLY know in PART a fragment of the Truth. But, Praise God, the day is coming when I will get to the other side and I will see clearly, knowing even as I am known! (I Cor. 13:12)

I exhort you today, do not get angry or bitter with God concerning things that happen in your life or around you; even if, because of your theological beliefs, you're convinced that you are SO RIGHT and God is so wrong. Let me submit for your consideration that your THEOLOGY IS WRONG if it justifies your anger or bitterness with God. It may not be until you get to the other side that you will fully understand how or why something has happened. But when that day comes, whether in this lifetime or on the other side, you will surely see that God was ALWAYS just. All things will then make sense and you will see that all anger and bitterness toward God was unfounded. You will then wonder how you could have been so foolish or blind as to think that being angry or bitter with God was appropriate.

So, if you have any area in your life (and I have many) that just makes no sense, a "Why, God?" area, please leave it alone. God in His time will give you the answer even if it is on the other side after your life on earth ends.

Do not let the incomprehensible get in the way of your love walk with Jesus!

If this lesson spoke to you, you may want to pray this prayer:

Heavenly Father,

There are things that have happened in my life, around me, and in this world that have made me angry or bitter with You. I ask You to forgive me for the anger or bitterness. I ask You to help me trust You enough to leave the incomprehensible happenings alone and for You to answer in Your time, even if that time is after I leave this world to be with you in Eternity. Let me ever remember that I see everything dimly and that I know only in part. Thank You, that someday all of this will make sense and I will see that You, never for a moment, stopped being a loving God.

In Jesus' Name, Amen!

My email: Jim (biblefood@gmail.com)
Website: http://www.biblefood.org/

Galatians 4:8-11 “Back to Slaves – How Can it Be!!??”

Good place to reflect – I have taught 20 lessons on Galatians (then took a month off). 

This message is going to be dealing with "legalism" as have many others, as this was the Galatian believer's problem.

I thought it would be good to start off with a good clear definition of what legalism is, and then ask ourselves 2 questions as we start back in our Galatians study (verse by verse).

Legalism defined: Legalism...is essentially any attempt to improve on what God has done for us by adding things that we do for Him... It is any attempt to earn approval from God with our imperfect actions, rather than accepting and being pleased with the approval that He freely offers us because Jesus has earned it for us with his perfect sacrifice. Legalism is always doomed to failure because we are imperfect and the God that we seek to impress is perfect. It robs us of peace and joy.  (Definition by Mike Taylor)

I think the following statement by Jerry Bridges on legalism is worth our attention.

"Legalism insists on conformity to manmade religious rules and requirements, which are often unspoken, but are nevertheless very real… There are far too many instances within Christendom where our traditions and rules are, in practice, more important than God’s commands."

The question we must ask ourselves.

1. How many of us still have not come out of legalism?

2. How many of us are slipping back into legalism?

Legalism is always a step backward in your walk in Christ. 

On the positive, praise be to God for those who are free and staying free, AMEN!

Now, let's look at today's passage:

⁸ But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? ¹⁰ You observe days and months and seasons and years. ¹¹ I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.  Galatians 4:8-11

⁸ But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.    

When they were ignorant sinners (before salvation), they had served their false pagan gods (really demons). As it states in 1 Cor. 10:20, “…what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.”

⁹ But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn [turn is in present tense, meaning in the act of turning] again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

Here we are now looking at the Galatian believers (saved).

Knowing God is not your great accomplishment, but the Lord’s doing. Our knowing God is conditioned upon His prior knowledge of us. Paul makes sort of a correction to his first few words, and to make sure there is no misunderstanding, he makes it clear  “rather are known by God.”  God has taken the initiative in grace to incorporate them into His family. We should be excited, not just that we have come to know God, but that God knows us!!! (also see 1 John 4:10)

Then, they go backwards to the weak and beggarly elements and become slaves again!!!

They were giving up the power of the Gospel for the weakness of law.

How were they doing this?  

By putting themselves under the law. Then, it goes into specifics in verse 10:

¹⁰ You observe days and months and seasons and years.   See Rom. 14:5-8

"One of the tragedies of legalism is that it gives the appearance of spiritual maturity when, in reality, it leads the believer back into a 'second childhood' of Christian experience." (Wiersbe)

We are not to legislate religious observances for each other.   This is the way of legalism!

No doubt the Judaizers were trying to convince the Galatians that their salvation was not complete unless they honored Jewish holy days.  WRONG!  WRONG!  WRONG!  If you think you are saving your soul or growing in God’s grace by religious observances, then you are guilty of legalism!

Legalism caters to the flesh, leads to pride (look at what I’M DOING) and really makes an outward observance replace the work that the Lord wants done in our hearts.

¹¹ I am afraid for you, lest I have labored [literally "to labor to the point of exhaustion"] for you in vain.

What we proclaim from our heart of the Lord, even if people don’t listen, is never wasted in His eyes. But how often are we afraid for the person falling backwards?  In the human sense it would be in vain (wasted time). 

Were these converts under Paul's ministry in Christ going to go from having faith in Christ for salvation to putting themselves under the law and legalism in their walk with God? To do so would be a step backwards.

   

Closing Illustration – The religious John Wesley, becomes the Christian John Wesley!  

     John Wesley was an honor graduate of Oxford University, an ordained clergyman in the Church of England and orthodox in theology. He was active in practical good works, regularly visiting the inmates of prisons and workhouses in London and helping distribute food and clothing to slum children and orphans. He studied the Bible diligently and attended numerous Sunday services, as well as various other services during the week. He generously gave offerings to the church and alms to the poor. He prayed and fasted and lived an exemplary moral life. He even spent several years as a missionary to American Indians in what was then the  British colony of Georgia. Yet, upon returning to England, he confessed in his journal, “I who went to America to convert others was never myself converted to God.” Later reflecting on his preconversion condition, he said, “l had even then the faith of a servant, though not that of a son.” Wesley tirelessly did everything he could to live a life acceptable to God, yet he knew something vital was missing. It was not until he went “very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street” one evening that he discovered and claimed true Christian life. “I felt my heart strangely warmed,” he wrote. “I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”  He was no longer just a servant. Now, he was a son!

  Closing thought:

Whatever leads one away from sole reliance on Christ,

whether based on good intentions (or not), is of disastrous results.

Enjoy this 10 minute video on

 Legalism and what Christianity is really about!

As we close, I encourage you to grow in the Grace and Liberty only found through Jesus Christ!


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You Are All One In Christ Jesus - Gal. 3:26-29

REVIEW:
We can't preach the message of grace until we've preached the standards of God because grace means nothing until people understand that they've broken the law, and have NO hope of keeping it (100 % guilty before God).

The day that you fell on your knees before Jesus Christ and received Him as Savior, the law had done its work. You saw your sin, you came to Christ.

In a nutshell, these verses plainly explain:
1. The purpose of the Law (convict us).
2. The ONLY way to Christ (faith).

Today’s lesson:
Galatians 3:26-29
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor
female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

26 For you are all sons (Gk. Huios – Someone of full age) of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Sadly, some translate this “children” instead of “sons.” The better translation is definitely “sons.” We are now sons (maturing, full-aged sons) and no longer needing a “tutor” (the law), but able to come to Jesus. We have gone from child/infant to a full-aged son.

Note: The Greek word for a child or infant (Gk. Nepios) is different than son (Gk. Huios). Who is he addressing here? Then he qualifies who it is (those sons of God)“…through faith in Christ Jesus.” This verse, these words are only meant for the believer (one who puts faith in Christ). This verse is NOT to be taken out of its context (as some have done) and teach Universal Sonship. Those ONLY are “…sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

ALL that are sons, are sons THROUGH FAITH (not works, laws, etc.) in Christ Jesus. Shortly, in v. 28, we will see that there are no distinctions.

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There are many ways baptism might and has been interpreted. But to stay in the flow of what the Holy Spirit is saying through Paul, I believe this is talking about our receiving salvation at the new birth (baptized into the body of Christ (i.e, placed). Greek Scholar Kenneth Wuest states: “The reference cannot be to water baptism, for that never put a believing sinner in Christ.” Also, it says in I Cor. 11:12 - For by one Spirit (Holy Spirit) we (believers) were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

We are baptized (immersed) into the Body of Christ. This happens at salvation (before we have even had a chance to be water baptized (which we are commanded to do AFTER salvation). We don’t come out covered in water, but covered and washed by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ).



We have “PUT ON” Christ. We have changed from spiritually filthy garments (Isa. 64:6) and put on new garments (we’re clean). We HAVE “put on Christ” and are new creations (II Cor. 5:17, 21 also see Eph. 4:24 & Eph. 6:14).

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Part of a good prayer for a Religious Jew went like this:
“I thank thee, God, that I am a Jew, not a Gentile, a man, not a woman; and a freeman, and not a slave.”

All three of those things are addressed in this passage.
1. RACIAL PREJUDICE
2. SOCIAL STANDING
3. SEXUAL DISTINCTION

Verse 28 spells out the implications of being in Christ.

As far as our standing before God is concerned, all human distinctions are done away with in Christ. This frees the Christian from seeking a superior spiritual status by striving to change his social, economic, ethnic, or sexual status. In Christ, human distinctions of man’s worth are abolished, thus, giving all Christians equality before God.

“…FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.” Amen!!!

NOTE:
While looking down upon a woman is wrong, Woman’s lib is wrong, too. Most women at some point in their life were treated disrespectfully by a man (anywhere from infancy to death). Yes, there are a lot of men who are jerks, BUT that does not eradicate God’s roles for a man or a woman. Male and female, husband and wife and their distinct roles are not bad. God made them (male and female, husband and wife) so BEFORE sin entered the world. So don’t say you have been cursed with being a certain sex, or in being married. Those distinctions are of God and good. Sin is the thing that has messed up our roles as male/female and husband/wife.

This is also true in your ethnic background accept it – don’t fight it. This is also true in social realm, too; you need to accept where you are and that you may never be up there with the “Jones” socially. Who cares, accept where you are and let God bless you there.

29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

IF one belongs to Christ I (that comes first) THEN one is Abraham’s seed.

If we’re all ONE IN CHRIST, then we, regardless of race, social standing, or sexuality are Abraham’s Seed. What did v. 16 say, but that Christ is Abraham’s seed, now that we are IN CHRIST, we too are by Christ, Abraham’s seed, and thus “…heirs according to the promise.” PTL!

As we are in Christ, the promise is ours. We become heirs of all the promises of God when we are in Christ. This, friends, is according to faith, not law or works.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father lead us into all truth, thy Word is truth. If in any area of our lives and beliefs (and traditions) we have been lead astray from your Holy Word (Bible), we ask that you would open our hearts and eyes to see the glorious Good News of Jesus Christ and to obey those wonderful truths. We pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

That brings this week’s teaching to a close. During the summer we will do a lesson every other week.

I look forward to taking you further on this Journey of Faith. I hope you have allowed the law to serve its purpose of showing you your guilt, and driving you to faith in Jesus Christ.

"The Changeless Promise" Galatians 3:15-18

Galatians 3:15-18
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but some may ask then what is the purpose of the law??? We will get to that next week. This study is one where we try to keep questions and comments to the weekly passage, but this is an open book study and reading ahead is a good idea as it will answer many, if not all, of your questions. Also, read Romans as it is a great letter that will give many answers to our questions on the law and on grace.

Review:
Paul takes the Old Testament, which the Judaizers claim to believe and study and use to support their view of works, and he turns it around to show them that the Old Testament, in fact, teaches salvation by grace through faith. If you go back through our previous teachings in this series, you will find Paul quoted MANY Old Testament scriptures to prove his points.

Let's take a look at these 4 verses in today's study.

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men [in a human analogy]:Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

In Genesis God made a promise to Abraham. This promise, or covenant as Paul called it here for the first time, was unconditional! No ifs, ands, or buts; no strings attached. When Moses delivered the law it contained burdensome requirements, a code of behavior that makes demands and issues threats. Quite a difference between a covenant promise and the law!

I here quote John Macarthur: “ Let me show you the difference [Abraham’s Covenant and Moses’ Law]. To Abraham, God said, "I will. I will. I will." To Moses, He said, "Thou shalt. Thou shalt. Thou shalt, or else." There is quite a difference. The promise set forth a religion for God; the law set forth a religion of man. The promise talked about God's plan, God's grace, God's initiative, God's sovereignty, God's blessing, God's promise. The law talked about man's duty, man's works, man's responsibility, man's behavior, man's obedience. The promise, which stood for grace, had only to be believed; the law, which stood for works, had to be obeyed. They were two different things.

Once a will or covenant (Greek diatheke) has been ratified (with Abraham), it cannot be altered. The covenant God made with Abraham is irrevocable, it can never be annulled or added to. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 4:29

16 Now to Abraham and his Seed (singular) were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds (plural),” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed (singular),” WHO IS CHRIST.

Christians are the spiritual seed of Abraham (see v. 29).

To avoid ANY misinterpretation of the word "seed," this passage clearly brings out that this passage was NOT referring to "seeds" as of MANY, but as of ONE. So NO spiritualizing this to be many seeds. And then it goes even further to say that this Seed is CHRIST, not the Jews, in this passage. So we see the PROMISE was made to Abraham AND Christ. This scripture makes that point clear!

Note: Thank God for the extra clarification of this verse or we would likely have many misinterpretations of who is the "seed."

17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.

Keep in mind the LAW (through Moses) did not come until 430 years LATER and that law CANNOT annul the covenant! The covenant still stands, it was NOT made ineffective by the law. The law did not replace the covenant!!!

The law, which was put into force after 430 years, could not override or annul the standing covenant with Abraham (see Gen. 15:18).

Thus, stressing the seniority of the Abrahamic covenant over the Mosaic law. For Paul, the law

was not merely a late edition in the history of salvation; rather it was completely different from the covenant God completed with Abraham centuries before.

18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

In this passage we just read, Paul shows the supremacy of the way of GRACE over the way of the LAW.

Our inheritance IN CHRIST is not of the law, if that were the case it would not be of promise. But it was given to Abraham BY PROMISE.

For Paul, it was crucial that this original covenant of promise be distinguished from the law of Moses. The law demands, “Do this!” The promise grants, “Accept this!” Paul drew the two into sharpest antithesis. If law…not promise; if works…not grace.

There is really not a whole lot of commentary or understanding of the original Greek to get this message. It's so clear! We sometimes make the Bible harder to understand than it has to be. This passage is a clear example of this.

Question:
Have you 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!!!

For some reason the 3 last blogs from this series are not showing. To view and read them go to:

Galatians 3:1-5: http://biblefood.blogspot.com/2011/04/freedom-series-stop-your-foolishness.html

Galatians 3:6-9: http://biblefood.blogspot.com/2011/05/who-are-sons-of-abraham.html

Galatians 3:10-14: http://biblefood.blogspot.com/2011/05/curse-of-law-freedom-series-gal-310-14.html

THIS CONCLUDES THIS WEEK’S TEACHING.

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