“But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” (Galatians 3:22)
Paul teaches us here that one of the purposes of scripture is to “shut us up.” Now, while we might love to apply that to someone we know, we need to understand what it really means. Continue reading
“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3)
Writing to the legalistic Galatians, Paul was reminding them that they were not saved by works of “the flesh” — good deeds they had done — but by hearing God’s word with faith in their hearts. He said in :2, “did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith.” They knew the answer. They were saved by hearing with faith. But now Paul admonishes them that they will GROW in the Lord the same way. That’s a word that many Christians need today as well! Continue reading
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?” (Galatians 3:1)
In his rebuke to the Galatians, Paul references the central theme of the Gospel that he had shared with them, which was the heart of their faith: “Jesus Christ … crucified.” This was the core element of his message to them: we are saved by the work of Jesus on the cross, not by our own efforts. This is to be OUR central message too! Continue reading
Psalm 103 is well-loved for its opening words “bless the Lord, O my soul,” and is a great Psalm of praise to God for His blessings towards us. Among the emphases of the Psalm is the blessing of God’s UNDERSTANDING towards the weaknesses of our humanity. We see this particularly in three verses in the middle of the Psalm: Continue reading
“… 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 up for me.” (Galatians 2:20b)
Martin Luther once wrote that “the heart of religion lies in its personal pronouns.” What Paul wrote in this verse is a perfect example of that. Continue reading
“The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.” (Galatians 2:13)
You are not an island. It matters what you do. Other people are influenced by you, and will imitate your choices. We see that here in Galatians 2. Peter, fearing the party of the Judaizers, who wanted all Christians to follow the Jewish Law, withdrew from fellowship with the Gentile Christians when the Jews arrived. But his decision affected more than himself. Continue reading
“For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.” (Galatians 2:12)
The Bible tells us here that Peter was motivated by fear: “fearing those from the circumcision.” Many of us recognize that fear — fear of a party of people whom you are seeking not to offend, or seeking to impress. But Paul shows us here that such a fear is destructive to us and others. Continue reading
“But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.” (Galatians 2:4)
Some people are just “different” than we are: they may look differently, have a different background and perspective, different tastes, etc. People will vary in a number of ways. But notice that Paul does not say in Galatians that his opponents were merely “different;’ he said they were “false.” There is a big difference. Continue reading
“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” (Psalm 95:2)
It is not unusual to hear a worship leader ask the Lord to come and be with us, or some such similar request. But the Psalmist declares here that the responsibility to meet us is not God’s, but is rather OURS! Continue reading
I'm a retired Southern Baptist pastor of almost 40 years. My wife Cheryl & I moved to Norman, OK in March of 2025. I share a weekly overview for Sunday School teachers of the weekly Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, as well as texts of my sermons and other articles.
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