Plymothian

Now that we are finishing the book of Galatians, and there was a lot in there, it should be that you understand the context.  That is, when you hear anything from Galatians you would know what Paul was addressing.  I have been struck by how the book deals with one main point.  That is, the whole book addressed the issue of Galatians turning to the Old Testament laws and seeking to observe them to get right with God.  It might be naughty, but I think the most memorable part is how Paul says the Galatians should go ahead and slice off the whole thing if they are going to get circumsized.  It’s obvious that he felt strongly about the addition of anything to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Do you see the whole point of the letter now?

Galatians 6:11-18

 ¹¹See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

 ¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. ¹⁴ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which^[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[b]the Israel of God.

 ¹⁷From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

 ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Questions

1. Why do some people think that Paul was partially blind?
2. Why do people want the Galatians to be circumcised?
3. How does Paul want the Galatians to respond?
4. What are Christians in to at your church that leads to judgment (examples I have seen are clothing, eating habits, schooling, and biblical literacy)?
5. How can you help to make sure the focus is in Christ alone?

Contrast the lyrics of Queen’s I Want It All with Paul’s Galatians 6.  What are your thoughts:

I Want It All

Adventure seeker on an empty street,
Just an alley creeper, light on his feet
A young fighter screaming, with no time for doubt
With the pain and anger can’t see a way out,
It ain’t much I’m asking, I heard him say,
Gotta find me a future move out of my way,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,

Listen all you people, come gather round
I gotta get me a game plan, gotta shake you to the ground
Just give me what I know is mine,
People do you hear me, just give me the sign,
It ain’t much I’m asking, if you want the truth
Here’s to the future for the dreams of youth,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,

I’m a man with a one track mind,
So much to do in one life time (people do you hear me)
Not a man for compromise and where’s and why’s and living lies
So I’m living it all, yes I’m living it all,
And I’m giving it all, and I’m giving it all,
It ain’t much I’m asking, if you want the truth,
Here’s to the future, hear the cry of youth,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now,
etc.

Galatians 6:1-10

¹ Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load. ⁶Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

 ⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Questions

1. How should a Christian respond to someone caught in sin?
2. Does catch mean trapped or found out?
3. What does the sinful nature reap?
4. How are you improving in your response to others’ sin?
5. How are you improving with patience and delayed gratification?
6. What did Freddie Mercury of Queen need to understand?

The Bible lays out two ways to live.  One is destructive and the other is constructive.  The way that people live where they seek pleasure, self-interest, and control leads to mutual destruction.  Advertising, self-help books, and peers advocate for the life of the flesh.  Sensual advertisements for soaps, enticing chocolate commercials, and studs sporting muscles, sports cars, and women lay out the goals of existence in a near-sighted, commercialist society.  The alternative is a simple life where the self is sacrificed for the needs of others.  A life where the desires of self are offered up to the designs of God.

If you were completely unaccountable, if no-one would ever know what you were up to, would your life be marked by vice or virtue?  Rather than playing a game that pretends that our mutually destructive lusts are not a problem, how do we grow in a safe environment so that we are more godly and glad to be so?

Galatians 5: 13-25

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[b] 15}If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

 ¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

 ¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Questions

1. What shouldn’t an entirely free person choose?
2. What do you  imagine a person who is not caged by guilt or shame would choose?
3. What differences do you notice between life in the Spirit and life in the flesh?
4. What would you do if you were entirely free?
5. How could you free yourself from more vices and live out a life of  more virtue?

In the last few days, in America, the focus has been on freedom.  July 4th celebrates that time when the USA gained its independence from Britain.  Even though I am British, I have to admit that Americans are free to do many things that other people in the world are not free to do.  Americans are free to speak their minds on any issue.  They can debate a point for the betterment of their community and disagree with government policy.  Americans have a freedom of religion.  There is no coercion by the state to be a member of any particular religion or denomination.  Americans are free to possess guns.  They can carry concealed weapons in many states.  The idea is that this personal right promotes freedom.

Of course, some of these freedoms have been abused.  Sometimes having a different opinion is now listed as ‘hate speech’ because someone is offended by what is said.  Sometimes, the freedom of religion is misapplied as freedom from religion, and religion is expunged from public life.  The freedom to own a gun means that I am not free from mentally unstable people owning powerfully destructive tools.

Freedom in Christ is the foundation for all other freedoms.  We are slaves to sin by default, but if we follow the path of Christ we find that we are free to make genuine choices for good.  This freedom is a special gift and should be celebrated.  Maybe there should be some fireworks for that.

Galatians 5:1-12

¹It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

 ² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. ⁶For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

 ⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Questions

1. Why has Christ set people free?
2. What happens to those Galatians who try and earn God’s favour through circumcision?
3. What does God hope will happen to those promoting the cutting off of the foreskin?
4. How do you feel about the strength of Paul’s language?
5. How would you describe your feelings about people’s efforts in the church to work their way toward God?

Happy July 4th!

Galatians 5:1

¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Our pastor was talking about The Law and parenting.  He said that there is a system of parenting that says if you focus on following the rules and dishing out punishment as appropriate.  He, Scott Chapman, doesn’t buy into that style of parenting.  There is another system, that although it has consequences, focuses on relationship and he does buy into that one.

You know how you are resistant when someone tells you to do something.  This is the kind of result the law brings.  The sinfulness of our heart is revealed because we resist doing what we are told is right and good.  However, because Christians are not asked to do anything to earn their salvation,they truly have a choice.  The choice is exercised for good, because the Christian understands the relational sacrifice that God has made in reaching out to us.  Christians don’t want to rebel or resist because they know that they are chosen by a promise not by a life-killing rule/law.

Galatians 4:21-31

 ²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. ²³His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.

 ²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷For it is written:

   “Be glad, barren woman,
   you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud,
   you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
   than of her who has a husband.”^[e]

 ²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. ²⁹ At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”^{[f] 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Questions

1. Who does Paul use as an illustration of the law and the promise?
2.  What does his illustration show about the law and the promise?
3. How do you think that the Galatians would have reacted to Paul’s illustration?
4. How do you react to someone telling you to do something?
5. How could you train yourself to see that you freely have a choice and there is no ‘have to’ for you?

Sometimes I wonder why I hate terrorism so much.  I also wonder what the difference is between terrorism and freedom fighting.  Both categories of people fight for a cause, but the world praises one and criticizes the other.  I don’t think anyone would admit to being a terrorist, they would say that they are fighting for Jihad, Jesus, or their country. 

In the passage today, Paul says that it is not always wrong to be zealous, but it is implied that when you are zealous and wrong people suffer.  To be a fanatic for a cure for cancer is good, to be a fanatic for McDonald’s burgers would be strange.  It is not the zeal that is to blame, but the cause.  In our society people are skeptical of zeal and enthusiasm.  It is better to be ‘cool’ or to ‘chill’.  However, great decisions are not made by people who are just chilling.  Great decisions in history have been made by those who feel strongly and then act.  The point is, like Paul, that they are passionate about the truth.

Galatians 4:8-20

 ⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ¹⁰ You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! ¹¹I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

 ¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. ¹⁵ Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

 ¹⁷ Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. ¹⁸ It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. ¹⁹ My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, ²⁰ how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Questions

1. To what are the people of Galatia turning?
2. What does Paul fear?
3. How does Paul treat the passion and zeal of his detractors?
4. What are you passionate about?
5. How could your passion be more like Paul’s?

Once a person has chosen to follow Jesus, they are a son and heir.  The people of God, historically did not have the status of sonship until Jesus came.  As the firstborn son from the dead he was able to make everything that God has for us available to us.  Before Christ, the people of God were in a position where they would inherit what God had for them, but it was not realised.  Paul compares their status to a young son who has not come of age.

The analogy breaks down when we think how each son, regardless of whether they are ethnically different, or male or female has equal status.  In Jewish culture different children often had a varied status.  So, as Christians we inherit everything that Christ has purchased through his death – equally.

Galatians 3:23-4:7

²³ Before the coming of this faith,^[j] we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. ²⁴ So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

 ²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

¹ What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of the world. ⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.^{[b] 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[c] Father.” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Questions

1. What was believers’ condition before the faith in Jesus Christ was revealed?
2. What theme is Paul carrying over from the previous section (i.e. yesterday’s section)?
3. How is becoming a Christian like adoption?
4. How do you think of yourself as a child of God?
5. What have you inherited?

Paul seems to make a big point about God saying to Abraham in Genesis 12:7 that he willgive an inheritance to Abraham’s seed, singular, rather than seeds, plural.  If you look at the original context the obvious meaning is that the land that Abraham is looking at will be given to the people of Israel.  So now we have a relationship to make clear between the seed that is Israel and the Seed that is Christ.  The church is the body of Christ and the church has inherited the blessing of Israel.  At the risk of sounding covenental, the church is the new Israel.  It is the seed, the inheritance and it is the body of Christ.  So Christ, embodied in his church would be the Seed.

The promiseof the Seed, then, predates the Law by 430 years. Abraham came a long time before Moses.  The Law of Moses did not replace the promise but showed the nature of the life that is fulfilled in Christ.  Without being truly the Seed, the people of God could not live out the law.  It was good in what it showed, by way of limitation, but it was a foreshadowing of the need for the Seed.  The Messiah and his church bring the promise made to Abraham to fruition  … I think.

Galatians 3:15-22

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. ¹⁶ The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”^[i] meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. ¹⁸For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

 ¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. ²⁰A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

 ²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. ²² But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Questions

1. What can not be added to?
2. How does this passage further the argument that a Christian’s conduct is not the foundation of their character, but what a Christian believes is the foundation of what they do?
3. Why was the law added?
4. What does verse 20 mean?
5. What did God promise Abraham that concerns (relates to) you?

We like to feel that we have a hand in earning our rewards. We like to feel that we deserve the good things that we get.  However, the Bible is clear that the laws of cause and effect would leave us all impaled or immolated.  The Bible is strict with regard to God’s righteousness. He is good and nothing that humans do can be said to be good in the way that God is.  In this way there is nothing that we can do to contribute to our acceptance by God. We are not cute, lovable, fluffy little bunnies that deserve petting.  We are not fine upstanding members of the community.  We are refuse and garbage.  We were designed for grand purposes, but we lost our way.  The ideas that we can behave our way into God’s good graces needs to be left behind.

Galatians 3:1-14

¹ You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. ² I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? ³ Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?^{[a] 4} Have you experienced^[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? ⁵ So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? ⁶ So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”^[c]

 ⁷ Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. ⁸ Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”^{[d] 9}So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

 ¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”^{[e] 11} Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”^{[f] 12} The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”^{[g] 13} Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”^{[h] 14} He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Questions

1. What is Paul’s concern?
2. How does he make his case?
3. Why does Paul say, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree?”
4. How would we live if we truly thought that our actions did not have value of themselves?
5. What then should be of ultimate value to us?