Heathen Justified by Faith Galatians 3:8 - Equipped for Battle

Some may wonder, is the gospel of Jesus Christ for everyone? Is Christianity available for every person in the world, or is it just for a few chosen nations? The answer to those questions was given long ago in the scripture, and Paul the apostle employs this answer as he continues his discourse on the validity of the grace of God which is offered through His Son Jesus Christ. In Galatians chapter three and verse eight Paul wrote:

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In you shall all nations be blessed.

Notice first Paul's reference to “the scripture”. Paul knew his Bible, and although he did not have the full version of it that we have today, Paul knew this portion and story well. In the book of Genesis in chapter twelve and verses one through three we read:

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, unto a land that I will show you: And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.

God said that through Abraham “shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Paul continued this idea when he wrote, “ foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith” because he knew that God sees in the eternal and not just in the present. Down through the ages God could see the blessing to all nations of the world because His Son Jesus would come through the lineage of Abraham. “The heathen” would be justified if they only would receive the gift of His Son.

The scriptures therefore, “preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In you shall all nations be blessed.” The gospel or “good news” of salvation was presented to Abraham long ago, and by understanding how Abraham received this good news we gain insight into the expectation of God on our part to participate today. It was by “faith” that Abraham received this promise. It was by “faith” that all nations would be blessed, and it was by “faith” that “God would justify the heathen”. It is by “faith” that Abraham was accounted righteous before God, and therein lies the abundant grace of God.

Today, anyone, anywhere who receives the gospel or “Good News” of God by “faith” will be accounted righteous before Him. The gospel includes these important factors taken from the book of Romans:

There is none righteous, no not one. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. But God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, and if we will confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved.

This gospel is open to everyone. This gospel is the gospel of grace that Paul the apostle preached. This gospel is how “all nations of the earth will be blessed”, and this gospel is how the heathen will be justified. There is only one part that we must do, and that is to have “faith” to receive God's wonderful gift, and righteousness will be ours.

Next time we will see how those with faith are blessed with Abraham, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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Children of Abraham Galatians 3:7 - Equipped for Battle

As Paul the apostle continues his discourse on why the church members at Galatia were saved by grace and not by keeping the law, he used the example of Abraham who believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. In chapter three and verse seven of Galatians we discover how we who are of faith are like Abraham. Paul wrote:

Know therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Paul begins this verse with, “Know therefore...”. Whenever we see a “therefore in the Bible, we should always consider what it is “there for.” “Therefore” refers to a conclusion that is made based upon what has previously been stated. Paul told the Galatians that Abraham believed the promise of God, and he did so without having to keep the law. The law wasn't given yet, and although there was some form of “rule” that was implemented during Abraham's day, Abraham simply heard what God said and believed Him. When he did so, God counted Abraham righteous.

Paul desired that the church members of Galatia “know therefore” or conclude based upon Abraham's example, “that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” Like the example of Abraham, those who simply believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ for salvation are the children of Abraham. Abraham believed, and it was counted to him for righteousness. When we believe, it is counted to us as righteousness. We are offspring of Abraham's example. It seems so simple, and it is. It seems so easy, and it is. The grace of God is abundant, free, obtainable, and available to all who will simply believe God as Abraham did.

We who believe are “the children of Abraham”, and although it may not be in physical linage as some, in spiritual linage we are his prodigy. The cost for God's grace was high, but Jesus paid that cost. The process for God's grace was difficult, but Jesus went through that process. The implementation of God's grace is finished, and Jesus made it available to all who as Abraham simply believe. May we all come to be “they which are of faith” and therefore become “the children of Abraham.”

Next time we will discover how God used Abraham to justify the heathen, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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Abraham Accounted Righteous Galatians 3:6 - Equipped for Battle

In giving his presentation against the idea of having to keep the law in addition to having faith in Jesus Christ, Paul the apostle has asked the Galatian church members how they received the Spirit and miracles? He asked, “did he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?” Paul's question is rhetorical in nature, but nonetheless he adds to his question in chapter three and verse six with the example of Abraham. He wrote:

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

In the book of Genesis in chapter fifteen and verses one through five, God told Abraham that He was His shield and exceeding great reward. Although this was a great and wonderful offer, Abraham's reply was that he had no offspring with whom to share these gifts. It was then God promised Abraham that he would have offspring that would be in number like the stars, and the in verse six it says:

And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Paul the apostle uses this event as an example to the church members of Galatia to think about the way that Abraham received the promise of God. It was by faith. God spoke, and Abraham believed. Then, God counted Abraham's belief for righteousness. The law of God was not even given yet, and yet God called Abraham righteous. There were no rules to follow or actions with which to comply. It was by faith that Abraham received this wonderful promise from God.

Knowing that the people within the church in Galatia would know the story of Abraham, Paul says that they received their faith in the same manner. It is by faith they were saved, and not of works. It was by faith that they were accounted righteous, and not by following traditions or ceremonies. In like manner to Abraham, God promised salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, and when someone truly believes Him, they are saved. They do not have to follow a set of rules, laws, ceremonies, or traditions. No, the appropriation of the substitutionary act of Jesus Christ is attributed to each one as righteousness.

If we use Abraham as an example of believing, would we consider ourselves to be believers in God in the same manner as he? Do we take and trust God at His word? When God has given the promise of His grace by way of Jesus Christ, do we add to it in any way? What about for others? Do we add to the gospel message of Jesus Christ when we are considering others? Perhaps it will help us today to consider once again the manner in which Abraham simply believed the promise of God, and we too will align ourselves in a pattern of living that God smiles upon and calls righteous.

Next time we will see what Paul has to say about how we relate to Abraham, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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Miracles by the Spirit Galatians 3:5 - Equipped for Battle

Paul the apostle has made appeal after appeal for the church members in Galatia to remember the source of their salvation. It was not by works that they were saved but rather by faith that they received the grace of God. In Galatians chapter three and verse five Paul the apostle continues his effort to convince them by using miracles and their source as an example of the way God has demonstrated His grace. He wrote:

He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, [does he it] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Paul begins his question with, “He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you ...”. The word “ministers” means supplies, presents or furnishes, and has the idea of appealing to their memory to those who supply the Spirit to them in the first place. These ministers were miracle workers not just around them, but also within them. Their lives were changed from their pagan practices, and though they were once far away from a relationship with God, because of these suppliers, they now enjoyed fellowship with Him. Miracles are super-natural works, and there were those among them who did these works in their presence. The source of miracles is a power that is beyond human ability, and when miracles were done, the Galatians knew that something was happening that far exceeded what they naturally knew.

Paul continues, “ [does he it] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Paul desires to know their answer to the source of the Spirit and miracles. Did they think that miracles occurred by works of the law? Because someone keeps the laws of God, does that mean that they will be able to do miracles? No, of course not. Miracle workers are just as flawed as the rest of us. It is by the grace of God that any miracle takes place and not the superior ability of any person. It is by God's grace that the Spirit is supplied, and it is by God's grace that miracles occur. These who supplied the Spirit and did miracles among the Galatians did so by the hearing of faith. They believed God's word by faith, and they believed God's work by faith, and miracles occurred because of it.

Too often today the ministry of the Spirit and miracles are attributed to the worthiness of the minister. Some people believe that a particular person is more holy than another, and therefore miracles flow through his or her life. God is the source and inspiration for the supplying of His gospel, and He is the presiding sovereign over whether miracles occur or not. It is by God's grace that the gospel is given, and it is by God's grace that super-natural acts materialize. Paul makes the appeal to the Galatians to think about the source of their beliefs, and as he does, perhaps we shall think about ours as well.

Next time we will see Paul illustrate his point by using Abraham as an example, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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Suffered in Vain Galatians 3:4 - Equipped for Battle

Paul the apostle is making his case against those he called, “Foolish Galatians.” They have been infiltrated by people called Judaizers who have spread doctrine that includes the keeping of the law in addition to faith in Jesus Christ's finished work. He has asked the church members if since they began in the Spirit are they now going to be perfected in the flesh. Today he continues his words in chapter three and verse four by asking them a related question. He wrote:

Have you suffered so many things in vain? if [it be] yet in vain.

When we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, things change in our lives. Our speech changes. Our ways change, and the places we go changes. Oftentimes even our friends change. These new ways of living sometimes invite suffering into our lives because of them. Paul knew this about the church members in Galatia and not only did they suffer from not keeping traditions of the church or religious laws, but they also suffered for their faith. He asks the question, “Have you suffered so many things in vain?” In other words, have you gone through all this personal denial, following of traditions, and managing rules for nothing? Is there no value in the keeping of these ways? Paul appeals to their reason as he asks this additional rhetorical question, “Have you suffered so many things in vain?” They had suffered. Was there no reason for it at all?

He continues, “if it be yet in vain.” Paul allows for the idea that this suffering might not be in vain at all. Christ suffered. Was His suffering in vain? Disciples suffered. Was their suffering in vain? Paul mentions the idea of suffering with Jesus in the book of Philippians in chapter three and verse ten:

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Perhaps as we consider this we might surmise that neither Jesus nor the disciples suffered in vain, however, if there was suffering for the church members in Galatia because they were once again attempting to “earn” salvation, then their suffering might have been in vain. Jesus already suffered, and now only belief in His finished work is required for righteousness. All other attempts to acquire righteousness are empty and in vain.

Have we suffered in any manner for our faith in Jesus Christ? Have we suffered needlessly because we have attempted to obtain righteousness before God that can only be given by Jesus? Are their man-made rules and regulations which have nothing to do with righteousness before God that we impose upon ourselves or others? Maybe we should meditate today about our ways, traditions, speech, and travels, and once again align ourselves to know “the fellowship of His suffering” rather than suffering for that which is in vain.

Next time we will see what Paul has to say about miracles, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

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Having Begun in the Spirit Galatians 3:3 - Equipped for Battle

Knowing how we have come to know God is important because it will mean the difference between eternal life with God or eternal separation from Him. If we by our own right doings could be saved, then there is no need for Jesus, but if there are no amount of “good” deeds or “right” acts that will accelerate us into a relationship with God, then we are in trouble if we do not find one. We are blessed because Jesus who lived a perfect life sacrificed Himself on our behalf, and now through faith in His finished work by His Spirit our faith is perfected. Paul continues to address the church members of Galatia in chapter three and verse three where he once again labels them and asks them another question. He wrote:

Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?

In verse one of chapter three we saw where Paul said, “O foolish Galatians...” and asked them a question concerning who bewitched them. Now only two verses later he asks, “Are you so foolish?”When something is referred to twice in the Bible we would do well to pay particular attention. Paul tries to reason with the church members and wonders at their not understanding and being unwise.

Paul continues, “having begun in the Spirit, ...” Paul knew what Jesus said in the gospel of John in chapter six and verse forty-four,

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

No one can come to Jesus unless God the Father draws them into a relationship with Him. It is by God's Spirit that a person comes to the knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and the Galatians were no different. Except for the Spirit of God drawing them, the church members would not know Jesus, and neither would we. They began in the Spirit, and so does anyone who comes to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Paul's contention and question to them was, “are you now made perfect by the flesh?” This rhetorical question appeals to their sense of reason. Paul knew there was no other way than to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ other than through the Spirit, and to now think that they would become perfected through acts of the flesh would be a digression. To commit acts of righteousness as merit for continuing in fellowship with God would only go back to the very reason that Jesus was needed in the first place: they nor we can keep the law of God perfectly. Having begun their walk with God in the Spirit, there was no other way to continue that relationship except through the Spirit.

So what about us? Do we digress in our own relationship with God? Is our relationship with Him now based upon our works, or is it based upon His Spirit ruling and reigning in us? Do we work for righteousness, or do we live in Him unto righteousness? Personal examination and evaluation is necessary and inventory should be taken as we consider whether Paul would ask us, “O foolish..., having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?”

Next time we will look at what Paul says about suffering in vain, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

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locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

By Works or By Faith? Galatians 3:2 - Equipped for Battle

As Paul the apostle continues his appeal to the church members in Galatia, he begins to call upon their reasonable thoughts as to the source of their relationship with God. He has labeled them as foolish and wonders who has charmed them into thinking anything other than the truth of the gospel which is only received by faith in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross. He adds these words in chapter three and verse two by asking a question:

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Paul said, “This only would I learn of you,...” which means Paul would like to be informed, apprised and increased in knowledge about a standpoint which seems unreasonable. It appears that the question that follows these words are rhetorical in nature, however Paul precedes them with the idea that they will inform him by their answer.

He asks, “Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Paul appeals to their memory first. Where did they get the Spirit of God from in the first place is his question. In other words, think back, review the past, recall when the Spirit of God entered into their lives. What was the source of that experience? Was it because they had kept the law or was it because they heard that Jesus kept the law, died for their sins, and rose from the grave victorious over death? It took the hearing of faith to receive the Spirit of God, and a relationship with God is only obtained in this manner because no one can keep the law other than Jesus. Paul had shared the gospel of God with the Galatians in the past, and they received the Spirit of God simply because they believed.

There are many who would add to the gospel of grace even today. They make strong arguments about this rule or that which must be kept in order to receive the Spirit of God. They impose forceful ideas about feats that must be obtained before one can earn the favor of the Almighty, but according to Paul, those are works of the law and are incomplete for establishing a relationship with God. Only by faith in Jesus' finished work will we ever know true fellowship with God. We do not deserve it, cannot earn it, and no amount of human goodness will ever be enough to position ourselves in the favor of God. Only Jesus' work is enough, and when we believe that Jesus did everything that is necessary for us to receive the Spirit of God, we will have done all that is required to have fellowship with the Almighty.

Next time we will look at what Paul says about being perfect, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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O Foolish Galatians Galatians 3:1 - Equipped for Battle

Paul the apostle ended chapter two of Galatians with reasoning that if righteousness could come by the law, then Christ died in vain. There would have been no purpose for Jesus to die if anyone could keep God's law, and because Jesus did die, anyone who believes in Him will have Jesus' righteousness appropriated by the Heavenly Father. The only way we will ever have entrance into Heaven to live in a relationship with God forever is to be righteous, and this righteousness is only obtained by believing in Jesus' substitutionary work. As Paul begins chapter three of Galatians, he directs his comments to the church members by name once again. We read in verse one:

O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

This time Paul doesn't hold back with his thoughts toward the Galatians. He calls them, “O foolish Galatians” which means “not understanding or unwise” Galatians. It's as if Paul cannot believe that the church members are believing the way they are. We must remember that Judaizers have come into the church and promoted ideas of righteousness that are based upon the law rather than grace. Because some of the church members believed the Judaizers, the church now has a division within it. There are those who believe in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus for righteousness, and there are those who believe that they must also keep the law and rules of circumcision. Paul addresses this problem by appealing to them in a rhetorical question.

Paul asks, “who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth...” Paul obviously knew who it was that “bewitched” them which means “speak ill of, slander, traduce, bring evil on one by feigning praise or an evil eye, to charm.” Paul wanted to bring their thoughts to who fooled them in this manner. The direct attention toward those whose pernicious acts subverted the doctrine that Paul had given them shows Paul's seriousness about the way they are thinking. Someone has come in and totally obliterated the truth, and Paul is giving them correction as their apostle from God.

Paul continues, “before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” The evidence was clear when Paul presented it to the church of Galatia. Jesus Christ was crucified because there was no one who could keep the law, and as he said in the last chapter, if people could keep the law, then Christ would not have been required to die. Paul had taught God's plan of redemption and grace before the church in Galatia, and this plan required the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus' death was a finished work, and there is no adding to it. Those who were promoting righteousness by obedience to the law were subverting the very gospel of grace that Paul presented.

Now it is easy to sit back and criticize these Judaizers for their promoting justification and righteousness by works, but are there “rules” we have believed or followed that are more than faith in Jesus' finished work? Are there dress codes, ways of speech, church attendance, Bible reading patterns, and other “spiritual works” that we impose upon others or ourselves and expect that following those rules will make us more spiritual? Do we have certain traditions or patterns of living that must be followed and if we do not keep them we are no longer righteous? As we ponder these things today, we might wonder if Paul would speak to us in this manner, “O foolish...” May we all seek the Lord for His wisdom in this area, and realize that the righteousness of God comes simply by faith in Jesus Christ's finished work.

Next time we will study a question asked by Paul as to the source of the Spirit of God , so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

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Do Not Frustrate the Grace of God Galatians 2:21 - Equipped for Battle

Paul has told the church members in Galatia that he is crucified with Christ, and yet he lives. The life which Paul now lives is by the faith of Jesus Christ who loved him and gave himself for him. We enjoy the same benefits when we believe that Jesus Christ came into the world to pay the price for our sins by His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Jesus' substitutionary sacrifice is appropriated to us, and it is only by His grace that it is offered. Paul continues his words to the Galatians in chapter two and verse twenty-one by giving one final reason as proof that Jesus Christ came to save all who will believe. He wrote:

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Because of the great offering of grace from God to man, Paul wrote first, “I do not frustrate the grace of God” which means he doesn't “do away with, set aside or disregard” the grace of God. Paul will not “nullify, void, reject, refuse or slight” God's grace. Grace is a gift from the Almighty God, and there is no way that Paul was going to do anything that would keep himself from receiving it. It is by grace that we are saved. It is by grace that we have a relationship with God at all. To do away with that access would not only keep us from fellowship with God, but it would also be foolish as well.

Paul reasons once again, “for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” If there was any way to keep the law of God, there would be no reason for Jesus to die. If it wasn't for our failure to abide perfectly by every aspect of the law, there would have been no reason for Jesus to come. Christ would have come and died in vain and undeservedly. There would have been no purpose for Jesus' death if there was any other way for us to be righteous. There was and is no other way to be righteous before God, and because Jesus came, died, and rose again from the grave, we now can be righteous by believing in Him and His finished work.

When we attempt in our feeble ways to somehow show God that we are righteous before Him, we really have no other work to show other than the work of His Son Jesus. Because of Jesus and the sacrifice He made, we now have fellowship with God. God Himself was the originator of us, knew that we would turn from him and not keep His law, sent a substitute in His Son Jesus to pay the price for our disobedience, and extended His grace, His unmerited favor, to all who will receive Him. May all who read these words today appreciate and thank the Lord Jesus for all the wonderful works He has done.

Next time we will begin the third chapter and find Paul addressing the Galatians directly again, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

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Crucified with Christ Galatians 2:20 - Equipped for Battle

As we have been studying the words of Paul the apostle to the church members in Galatia, we have learned a lot about the wonderful grace of God. Because people were not able to keep the perfect law of God, He sent His Son Jesus to fulfill the law in every point. He then caused Jesus to take the penalty for sinfulness upon the cross and bore the sins of the whole world. The law only caused death because no one except Jesus could fulfill it. However, because Jesus kept the law, and then died to pay the penalty for the sin of those who did not keep it, all who believe in Him will be saved. Paul continues his appropriation of the grace of God in Galatians chapter two and verse twenty where we read:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Paul first identifies his current condition, “I am crucified with Christ:” In substitutionary form, Jesus took Paul and all his sin upon the cross with Him. This in effect bore the entire penalty for not only Paul's sin, but the sin of the whole world. Positionally those who appropriate Jesus' crucifixion by believing in His finished work are crucified with Him.

Paul adds, “nevertheless I live;”. Though Jesus had to endure the penalty of death because of sin, those who believe in Him now “live”. There is the promise of “eternal life” for all who trust in Jesus, and this “eternal life” means more than living forever, it is a life style. When we believe that Jesus was crucified for our sins and trust that He has paid the price for our errors, we live as we never have before.

Paul continues, “yet not I, but Christ lives in me...” Because Paul believed in Jesus, there was a divine substitution made. Christ lives in him now, and his old life is faded away. As Paul wrote in Second Corinthians chapter five and verse seventeen: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Everything changes when we receive Jesus as our personal Savior. Christ lives in us because of His great sacrifice and our simple belief.

Paul says more, “and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,” The appropriation of the faith of the Son of God is now demonstrated through the life of Paul. It is Jesus' faith that was complete, not Paul's. Jesus did the work, and now the Divine trade is that Jesus' life becomes Paul's life in the flesh. This life lived in the flesh is not only offered to Paul, but to all who will put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Jesus' faith is available and ready to be disbursed to all who will receive it.

Finally Paul gives the reason for Jesus' sacrifice, “who loved me, and gave himself for me.” We might wonder why Jesus would make such a sacrifice, and the answer is given here, “who loved me.” Even though Paul who was previously known as Saul was “breathing out threatenings and slaughters” against the church at one time, Jesus loved him. Though Paul threw people in jail because of their Christian faith, Jesus loved him, and though Paul did everything he could to stop people from believing in Jesus at all, Jesus loved him. Jesus proved His love toward Paul in spite of Paul's horrible attitude and behavior, and “gave himself” for him to prove it. “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus loved Paul and laid down His life so that Paul could live.

Jesus loves everyone, and His desire is that everyone would place their faith and trust in Him. No matter how terrible their attitudes and behaviors may be, the appropriation of the crucifixion is available to all, even us. May we all realize today what a wonderful work God has done through Jesus' death on the cross, and may His sacrifice draw us all into a holy appreciation for His wonderful substitutionary work.

Next time we will see how powerful the grace of God is, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

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locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Dead to the Law; Live unto God Galatians 2:19 - Equipped for Battle

Paul the apostle has been giving doctrine and instruction concerning the grace of God by referring to the way people do not keep the law. If we could keep the entire law of God, we would be perfect, however, no one keeps it. Therein lies a problem, because without the keeping of the law, no one will see God. Fortunately, Jesus Christ came to the Earth to live as a man and He kept the entire law. But what happens when a person doesn't keep the law? What happens to the person who tries to keep it and fails? Paul gives us some insight into these questions today as we read in Galatians chapter two and verse nineteen:

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

Basically the law condemns us to death. “For I through the law am dead to the law.” The fact that there is a law divides people into two groups, “law-keepers” and “law-breakers”. Those who keep the law live, and those who break the law, die. This is where the problem lie. No one keeps the law, so the law in effect only brings on death. But one may argue, “I keep most of the law”, the apostle James wrote in chapter two and verse ten of his book, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.” In other words, if we violate the law of God in only one point, we have broken all of it. It's kinda like an egg. No matter where you crack the shell the entire egg has been cracked. Some may be better at keeping one part of the law than another, but there is still that one place where the person breaks the law and the whole law is broken because of it.

Paul emphasizes this point again in chapter three and verse ten of Galatians where he wrote, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” If we continue under the law, it only brings upon us a curse, and that curse produces death. Unless we have kept the entire law of God, “in all things which are written in the book of the law”, we are in serious trouble. In other words, the law by itself brings us to death and not alive unto God.

We are blessed as we read this verse because Paul did not finish it with the proclamation of death. He continued, “that I might live unto God.” The law's affect upon all who read it is to realize there is no hope that anyone will ever keep it completely. This exasperation brings a person to recognize their need for God. There must be a source outside themselves to help, and this help is from God Himself through Jesus Christ who kept the law perfectly. So that the Galatians may know the grace of God, there had to be a law of God that condemned them, and so it is with us. We must realize that we cannot keep the law of God which only results in death, and therefore we need a Savior. The law produces death, but through the grace of God, we may now live unto Him. As we ponder these things, we may for the first time realize the significance of the law of God, it's curse, and the wonderful grace of God who desires that we live unto Him.

Next time we will find how Paul lived once he experienced the grace of God, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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Making Myself a Transgressor Galatians 2:18 - Equipped for Battle

Paul the apostle has been putting forth persuasions as to why the keeping of the law should not be added to faith in Jesus Christ. It was because we could not keep the law that Jesus came, and now that He has bore the punishment for our sin through His death on the cross, the effort to return to the law would be a mistake. Paul continues his words in chapter two and verse eighteen of Galatians where we read:

For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Paul declares, first of all, “For if I build again the things which I destroyed...”. Paul infers that it doesn't make sense to rebuild the very ideas that he spent time tearing down. The law of God is perfect, and it was only incomplete because people could not keep the law. If the keeping of the law could have been done by anyone except Jesus, there would have been no need for Jesus to come in the first place. Paul spent time tearing down the idea that anyone could keep the law of God, and therefore we all need a Savior. The Judaizers were in effect trying to rebuild the very pattern of life that Paul concluded could not be kept.

Paul adds, “...I make myself a transgressor.” The very idea that Paul would go back and rebuild what he spent time tearing down would indite him as a sinner for tearing it down in the first place. Paul the apostle was a lawyer and well educated, and we can see it manifested in this deduction. Because it makes no sense at all to rebuild a manner of living that he presented as being incomplete, he would be guilty as a transgressor should he attempt to build it back.

More than likely Paul's words are directed toward Peter's neglecting the Gentiles and the Judaizers who were promoting such a regression, but we can apply his thought to ourselves if we think about it. Sometimes we may have a tendency to go back and try to keep the law of God as a way to show God we are good. We may seek accolades for obeying the law, and deep within ourselves believe that somehow God might accept us because of our own efforts. Even worse we may have a tendency to condemn ourselves because we have failed to keep God's law from time to time. Let it clear from Paul's words today that if we build again the things which were destroyed, we make ourselves a transgressor, and that is a title that none of us have to wear because of the grace of Jesus Christ.

Next time we will discover how to be dead to the law and alive unto God, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Is Christ the Minister of Sin? Galatians 2:17 - Equipped for Battle

When a person becomes justified because of their faith in Jesus Christ, do they become righteous in God's eyes? Is there more required than believing in Jesus' substitutionary work which He did on the cross for us? Are there works we must do to earn our salvation once we are saved? Paul has been answering those questions and more as we have been studying the book of Galatians, and he has been reasoning with church members in Galatia concerning our justification by the grace of God and not by the law. He continues his thoughts in chapter two and verse seventeen where we read:

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.

We learned in verse sixteen that we are justified by the faith of Jesus Christ which means “just as if I'd never sinned.” But what happens after we are justified? What if we sin after we have faith in Jesus Christ? Paul says, “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners,” which in other words means, if while we are seeking justification by Christ we have sin in our lives is our salvation somehow incomplete? If there is a way for Jesus to justify us and then we involve ourselves in sin, then are we now unjustified again and in need of re-justification? Wouldn't this be a horrific cycle? We're in, we're out. We're in, we're out. We're justified, we're unjustified...

Paul continues with this question, “is therefore Christ the minister of sin?” If our justification is based upon our keeping of the law as the Judaizers were promoting, then the justification by grace that is offered by Jesus through His faith is one that is flawed, and Christ would be the minister of “error” or sin. Jesus' justification would be a mistake if it were this incomplete. Paul reacts very strongly to this thought.

Paul states, “God forbid” which means “perish the thought or don't even think about it.” The problem with the Judaizers' theology, which they taught to the church members in Galatia, was that they were inferring that the grace of Jesus Christ was an incomplete one. They felt there must be more than the simple faith in Jesus Christ's finish work for salvation and justification. They believed that the person who believed in Jesus must also obey the law which they could not do, and this left people with this “in and out” of justification idea. Paul says, No! And an emphatic No! Perish the thought, God forbid! Christ is not the minister of an incomplete gospel. The good news offered by Jesus Christ is that not only could the church members in Galatia may be saved by the unmerited favor of God, but we also may participate in His finished and complete work on the cross. All additional requirements to be saved would only validate the idea that Jesus' work was not enough. God forbid!

We have faith in an amazing God when we believe that Jesus Christ died for all our sins. When we consider His finished work to offer us His grace, mercy, salvation and justification, we must react with bowed and grateful heads, and praise should be ringing from our lips. This awesome God decided and declared with His own life that we should be righteous before Him, and His plan is complete and needs nothing added. May we learn to bask in the greatness of His grace and understand the completeness of His justification for all the days of our lives.

Next time will what Paul says about how we build on our Christian faith, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

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Justified by the Faith of Jesus Christ Galatians 2:16 - Equipped for Battle

There are times when we are reading through a book of the Bible when one or two verses become pivotal scriptures upon which new and wonderful thoughts are revealed. Chapter two and verse sixteen of Galatians is one of those verses. In Paul's discourse to the church members in Galatia, he has been explaining that his reasons for confronting Peter and his entourage was because they were expecting Gentiles to keep laws that they themselves could not keep. Salvation that is offered by the grace of Jesus Christ is a gospel that doesn't align with that kind of thinking. Paul gives us greater insight to Jesus' gospel in verse sixteen where we read:

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.

Paul begins, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law...” The word “justified” means, “to render righteous or such as he ought to be; to show, exhibit, evince or be righteous; to declare, pronounce or to be just, righteous or such as he ought to be.” Simply put, it is

“Just as if I'd never sinned.” In other words, there is no one who can keep the works of the law, so no one is righteous. This knowledge must be understood first, or we are fooling ourselves in self-righteousness.

Next Paul adds, “but by the faith of Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ is the only person who ever lived and kept the laws of God perfectly. Jesus' faith is what justifies, and there is no substitute. All other ways are flawed, and no matter who the person was or is whom people follow, other than Jesus there are no righteous examples.

Paul continues, “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:” The only way we will ever be “Just as if I'd never sinned” is by the faith of Jesus Christ and not by trying to keep the law. Oh, we might keep it for a few moments or maybe even a little longer, but the moment we break the law in any form, we are unrighteous again. However, when we believe in Jesus Christ, His perfection of keeping the law becomes our justification. Jesus kept the law, and Jesus died because of our not keeping the law, and therefore when we believe in Him, His life is substituted for ours, and justification that we could not and cannot earn on our own becomes ours as well.

Paul concludes this verse with, “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Once again Paul emphasizes that works of the law will justify no one. It isn't that the law is bad. It is that those who attempt to keep the law cannot do so. This is why the behavior of Peter and the rest who shunned the Gentiles was so out of line. They were portraying the idea that they as Jews were somehow able to keep the law, and the Gentiles were not. Therefore, they needed to separate themselves from them. Paul concludes that no one, Jew nor Gentile, is able to keep the law, and therefore no one should be excluded. Everyone has an opportunity to allow the substitutionary appropriation of the faith of Jesus Christ to become their basis for justification, and no one is exempt.

At this point, those who are reading these words should be shouting, “Hallelujah!” because we have such an offer from God. We can be justified or “Just as if we had never sinned” because of the faith of Jesus Christ, and if someone is reading this who is not a believer today, please take the time to consider this wonderful offer from the Heavenly Father. It is by far one of the greatest gifts we shall ever know.

Next time will what Paul says about we being sinners, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

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locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Jews by Nature Galatians 2:15 - Equipped for Battle

Paul wrote a discourse to the church members in Galatia concerning false teachers called Judaizers because they were off base when referring to the grace of Jesus Christ. Their legalistic requirements to have a relationship with God gained Paul's attention particularly when referring to laws of circumcision and separating themselves from Gentiles. After confronting Peter because he, his group, and even Barnabas separated themselves from the Gentiles when leadership from the church in Jerusalem arrived, Paul continues to give reasons why their actions were not in alignment with the gospel. He continued his thoughts in chapter two and verse fifteen where we read:

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

Part of Paul's argument against the Judaizers was that they were requiring laws to be kept that they themselves could not keep. Even though there was a great advantage for them, the Jews could not keep the Jewish law of God. Paul said, “We who are Jews by nature...”. In other words, we were born into Judaism. God Almighty chooses to which group we are born. None of us choose our parents, and Paul makes the appeal that God chose that they be born Jews. They were the ones to whom God gave the law in the first place. They had the culture, training, exposure and examples of keeping the law before them. There was a definite advantage to being born a Jew.

Paul adds, “...and not sinners of the Gentiles,”. In other words, they were not like the Gentiles who did not have the advantage of the law being given to them. The Gentiles had their own laws, and compliance to the law of God was virtually unknown to them. This would be a distinct disadvantage when it came to a relationship with God. We should never expect people to do what we want them to do unless they have our information, and when it came to the law, the Gentiles were mostly clueless. Though both Jews and Gentiles were sinners, the Gentiles didn't have the law to reference where they were sinning.

We too have an advantage in the United States of America. We have the word of God. Most of us were born here, and we have been exposed to the Bible all of our lives. We, who are Americans, by nature, in that most of us did not choose to be here, have a unique opportunity to have a relationship with God that many in the world have never known. As we consider Paul's words today, may we all be thankful that God has chosen us, given Divine providence toward us, that we could be born in a place where though we are sinners, we may know the God of the Universe who sent His Son Jesus to save us from our sins.

Next time will discover what Paul has to say about how we are justified by grace, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

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You Live the Same Way Galatians 2:14 - Equipped for Battle

Have we ever considered the statement, “Do as I say, but don't do as I do?” For the most part it is easy to say that we are to be one way, but to live that way is quite another. As Paul the apostle is recounting his story about confronting Peter because of he and his colleagues' behavior with the Gentile believers in Antioch, Paul alludes to this in chapter two and verse fourteen where he wrote:

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If you, being a Jew, live after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Once again we have an opportunity to use our mind's eye to picture this event. Imagine the scene as Paul, who was thought to be a smaller man with a high squeaky voice is standing before Peter who was thought to be a large man with a resounding voice, with purpose in his words says, “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel,” Paul was motivated by their adverse behavior. When Peter and those with them shunned the Gentile believers as the leadership from the church in Jerusalem arrived, Paul knew there needed to be correction. Isn't it interesting that Paul who once was so much against the church is now confronting the leadership because they are eluding people within it? Oh the mighty grace of God! Paul went into action.

Paul continues, “I said unto Peter before them all”. It is noteworthy that Paul did not pull Peter to the side, but made a public display of this encounter. Before everyone who was present, Paul desired the truth of the gospel be known. Paul was not intimidated by any, and when it came to the gospel of Jesus Christ, everyone was to know the truth.

Paul asked Peter, “If you, being a Jew, live after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” In other words, Peter, you were born and bread a Jew, and you cannot keep the laws of God any better than these Gentiles who were not born in the Jewish world. Paul wanted to know why Peter would even suggest that these Gentile believers live as the Jews do. They did not even live the way of the Jews themselves. In other words, the law could not be kept by the Jews to whom it was originally written, how much less could the Gentiles keep the law when they didn't have it in the first place?

There are many in the world who tell others how to live but then don't live that way themselves. It is easy to “say” how to live, and it is quite another to “live” that way. The rules and regulations that the Judaizers were promoting among the Gentile churches took away from the original intent of the grace of God. Grace is unmerited favor, and whenever we add laws to the grace of God, we remove not only the original intent of it, but we also put burdens upon people that they nor we can ever keep. As we ponder this confrontational question from Paul to Peter, we might benefit from asking ourselves, “Are there rules that we have added to the grace of God that would cause Paul to ask us how we could compel others to live in a manner that we ourselves cannot live?”

Next time will see Paul's challenge to these who acted in this manner, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

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Other Jews and Barnabas Influenced Galatians 2:13 - Equipped for Battle

We have been studying Paul's answer to the church in Galatia for those who were teaching false doctrine against the gospel of grace according to Jesus Christ. Judaizers were infiltrating the churches with ideas such as circumcision and keeping of the law to be saved, and Paul is persuading these church members against these thoughts. As he has engaged them, we find Paul proving his authority even among the leadership within Jerusalem by telling of an incident which happened in Antioch. The apostle Peter traveled to Antioch to learn more of the church located there and was involved with the Gentile church members until an entourage of leaders arrived from the church in Jerusalem. It was then we saw Paul's problem with Peter because he shunned the Gentiles, and because of it, Paul withstood Peter to the face. We continue this illustration of Paul in chapter two and verse thirteen where we read:

And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

Not only did Peter behave in such a manner against the Gentiles, but now we discover, “And other Jews dissembled likewise with him;” Many times our behavior affects others, especially when we are in leadership positions. Others were watching Peter, and as the associates from Jerusalem arrived in Antioch, they too left the Gentiles. Ethnocentric and cultural biases have a strong influence when referencing peer pressure. If we imagine this scene for a moment, we can almost see it with our mind's eye: The dinner is set, and Jews and Gentiles are eating together. There is laughter in the air, and conversations about their lives and relationship with Jesus is rampant. Perhaps Peter is telling stories about being with Jesus, and he might be recalling times of healing, feeding thousands or simply the way Jesus prayed. But then, the Jewish entourage from Jerusalem arrives, and Peter immediately stops talking, looks embarrassed, and when he does, the others with Peter notice Peter's reaction. They all get up from the table, move away from the Gentiles, and act as though they were only minimally fraternizing with them. Though they were engaged with the Gentiles, they now act as though they didn't even know them.

Paul adds, “insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.” What? Barnabas? Barnabas was even influenced by them so that he was carried away with their “dissimulation”? The word “dissimulation” comes from the Greek word, “hypokrisis” which means, “the acting of a stage player or hypocrisy”. It is the word from which we derive our English word “hypocrite.” In other words, the influence of the colleagues from Jerusalem was so strong, that not only Peter and his group were persuaded by them, so was Barnabas. This behavior caught Paul's attention, and Paul confronted Peter about it.

Now, we may sit in a position of judgment against Peter, his group, and Barnabas, but once again, do we do the same? Are there people groups, styles, communities or populaces which we shun even though they have received the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we open to the Lord Jesus saving “all” people “everywhere” or do we believe that He only saves certain groups and the others do not have the opportunity to receive His grace? Once again, perhaps the Holy Spirit of God will examine our hearts and minds as we study the confrontation between Paul and Peter, and we will understand that the grace of God through Jesus Christ is available to everyone, including us.

Next time will see Paul's challenge to these who acted in this manner, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Peter Fearing Other's Judgment Galatians 2:12 - Equipped for Battle

In Paul's discourse on the gospel of grace to the church members in Galatia, he has been sharing the authority that he has by Jesus Christ to share with the Gentiles. In Galatians chapter two and verse eleven we saw where Paul demonstrated his equal authority with the disciples by confronting Peter because he was to be blamed for an activity that was unbecoming a true believer in Jesus Christ. In chapter two and verse twelve we discover just what Peter's action was. We read:

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

Paul said, “For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles;” The New King James version says it this way, “for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles;” In other words, James, who was the leader in Jerusalem sent an entourage to Antioch to discover what was happening to the church there. Peter was already in Antioch, and he was free to eat with the Gentiles. Quite possibly the Gentiles who were free to eat non-kosher foods were feeding some of those items to Peter. We don't know for sure, but we do know that he was eating with them. This, of course, was not heard of in most cases with the Jewish people. In the history of the Bible there was a separate table set for the Gentiles to eat. This, however, wasn't Paul's main concern.

Paul continued, “but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.” Peter was afraid of what the Jewish members might think of him, so he separated himself from the Gentiles when they came. If we picture this for a moment, we can imagine that Peter is having a great time eating and laughing with the Gentiles, and then finds out that this Jewish group from Jerusalem shows up. Peter might have gotten up quickly, acted like he wasn't really eating with and having a good time with them, and moved in an abrupt manner away from Gentiles. This was Paul's great concern. How could Peter act like he was having a great time with the Gentiles one moment, and then operating as though they had the plague the next? Paul withstood Peter to the face about this chameleon behavior.

When we read this verse we may think ourselves incapable of fearing the judgment of others, and considering Peter such a horrible witness of the gospel for acting in the manner he did. However, have we ever been one way with a person and then as soon as they leave be another? Have we acted as though we enjoy someone's company one moment and then as soon as “better friends” arrive we operate as though the first person has the plague? Perhaps as we read these words of Paul we can imagine him in our faces, withstanding us, and asking us why we are “two-faced” toward others to whom Jesus loves. As we ponder these things may we all repent and ask the Lord Jesus for the grace to love all people as he does – all the time.

Next time will see how Peter's resistance influenced others, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

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locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Peter Withstood to the Face Galatians 2:11 - Equipped for Battle

As Paul the apostle has been sharing the importance of the gospel of grace with the Galatian church, he has mentioned his encounter with the leadership in Jerusalem who did not intimidate him at all. As Paul shared he and Barnabas' encounters with Gentile nations in spreading the gospel, the leadership concluded that Paul and Barnabas were commissioned by God to share the gospel with the Gentiles. Peter was one of those in leadership in Jerusalem, and as Paul continues in his persuasion of the importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ not being compromised, he tells of a special encounter with him. He wrote in Galatians chapter two and verse eleven:

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Paul first tells of a special visit by Peter to “Antioch”. Antioch was Capital of Syria, and was situated on the river Orontes. It was founded by Seleucus Nicanor in 300 B.C. and named in honor of his father, Antiochus. We read in the book of Acts in chapter eleven and verses twenty and twenty one:

And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spoke unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

It was in Antioch that Paul the apostle found his base of ministry. From Antioch, Paul would reach the Gentile world with the gospel.

Peter came to Antioch to check up on the church started there, and as he was there Paul, “withstood him to the face” which means he confronted, resisted, opposed or set himself against him. There are times in our Christian walk when this needs to be done. Proverbs twenty-seven and verse six says:

Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.

It is quite possible for any of us to get off track every once in a while, and confrontation with the idea of correction in mind is a good thing for us. Even the scriptures themselves provide a correcting value as written by Paul in Second Timothy chapter three and verse sixteen:

All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Paul felt the need to “withstand” Peter because “he was to be blamed” which means he found fault with, accused or condemned him for a wrongdoing. We are exhorted later in the book of Galatians in chapter six and verse one:

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.

This confronting not only gave Paul the occasion to provide correction to Peter, but also showed his equality with Peter as a leader within the church. As we continue our study in this area, we must keep in mind that Paul is maintaining his defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Galatians. This encounter only strengthens Paul's position, and when we continue our study we shall find out why Peter was to be blamed, and what he did that was so in need of Paul's correction.

Next time will see what Peter's fault was, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore