Galatians

Galatians 2:15-17 Jew, Gentile, church goer, non church goer; we're all saved by faith not by the law.  So why do some people think Christians are good people?  Could it be that a relationship with Christ produces good things within people?   Is this a chicken and egg situation...which came first?  Is it good works or faith that comes first?  Paul is certain, it's faith but those raised in the Jewish tradition are having a hard time leaving the laws behind.  Is a church upbringing getting in the way of faith in Christ?  Lord Jesus, please help us all to draw closer to You.

Galatians 2:14 Paul has been thinking about things for a long time and has discovered a significant problem; are people justified by faith or by law, so ultimately he decides to confront Peter on this topic; in front of other Jewish Christians. Have you ever had a time when you thought it was appropriate to confront someone publicly?  If so how did it turn  out?  Stay tune for Paul's results with Peter.

Galatians 2:13 Peter was a leader in the midst of a crowd but unfortunately the people followed his hypocrisy and didn't hang out with the Gentiles.  Let us consciously model love for everyone.

Galatians 2:11-12 Peter naturally hung out with his Jewish friends at the expense of the gentiles because he feared what the Jews would think. Do we do this with churched versus unchurched friends? What is our motive behind who we hang out with?

Galatians 2:10 So along with Jesus death and resurrection here is another common point among Christians...caring for the poor.

Galatians 2:8-9  Even though Paul was called to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jews the church leadership had wonderful fellowship with each other. They modeled what it should be like with those called to the church versus those called to the unchurched. Have you thought of where your calling is and how you relate to others with a different calling? Lord Jesus bless us with unity in the church as “the foot” works in cooperation with “the hand”

Galatians 2:6-7 What is the opinion of those held in high esteem?  Do they add to your ministry?  Do they recognize your specific calling?  These are questions Paul seems to have been wrestling with, with his call to the Gentiles.  Where does the law fit into to faith in Christ?  So many people think a Christian is a good person but really the definition of a Christian is a follower of Christ.  Later on we'll discover common ground between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians but for now Paul is wrestling with where he and the people he's led to Christ stand in the church.  It reminds me of the churched versus unchurched Christians.  Is there a place for both?  Is there common ground?  Lord, guide us and direct us as You call us back to You.

Galatians 2:4-5 How do we determine a true believer and a false believer? For Paul it was a matter or rules and laws versus believing in the death and resurrection of Christ. Is our faith based on what we do or what Christ does?

Galatians 2:3-4 Have you ever got caught up in what's right and what's wrong and ultimately found yourself a slave to lists of dos and don't?  This is where Paul was and he finally decided to go to Peter, the leader of the Christian church for the Jews and discuss how the Christian church for the Gentiles was different.  Is is possible that our faith is lived out differently depending on our community?  What do you think?

Galatians 2:1-2 It took Paul 14 years but ultimately he checked in with church leadership.  Paul's message was about Jesus to the Gentiles so the question became where does the Jewish law fit in?  Paul went to check in with Peter whose message was Jesus to the Jews.

Galatians 1:24 What is your story? Does your story have others praising God?

Galatians 1:19-23 These verses make me ask the question what about the unchurched Christian? Are we prepared to receive him/her?  And what is the story that we know about them?  Is it like Paul's story?

Galatians 1:17-18 Paul travelled after his conversion but ultimately he connected with the leadership of the church. Where are we on our journey? Is it time to connect our stories with leadership?

Galatians 1:15-16 God's revelation to Paul was a divine thing.  Paul even credits God with the timing of his revelation.  Have you ever prayed for someone to come into a personal relationship with Christ and it hasn't happened yet?  Don't give up; God's timing and the way He reveals the truth to others is the key.  Paul didn't consult humans in his conversion.  It was truly between him and God.  Dear Jesus, as we walk this journey with You please help us not to get in the way of Your work in the lives of others.

Galatians 1:13-14 Paul describes his life before he met Christ. What was your life like before you met Christ or what is your life like now? Certainly if God could reach Paul He can reach us. I love this testimony; click on the link

Galatians 1:11-12 Paul is convinced He was called by God. What are we convinced that God has called us to do? Are we doing it?

Galatians 1:10 Do we dare ask along with Paul "am I pleasing God or man"?  Remember, Jesus was crucified because Pilot chose to please people as opposed to God.

Galatians 1:8-9 The truth is Jesus, truly and properly man and truly and properly God came to earth; was killed as a perfect man; and rose again.  This is the fundamentals of Christianity and if anyone teaches anything different, even if they're an angel, Paul is saying let them be cursed by God. If you are a Christian, ask yourself what you believe.  Are you trying to get to heaven on your good works or do you appropriately acknowledge the death and resurrection of Christ? Blessings all

Galatians 1:6-7 The definition of Christian comes in many forms.  Someone who obeys the 10 commandments, someone who attends church, a good person, someone who prays, someone who is a follower of Christ .... But Paul is clear in Galatians that there is only one Gospel and this is Christ died for our sins and rose again. If you want to become a Christian simply pray "Lord, I fall short.  I'm not perfect and I need Your forgiveness.  Come into my life and be the boss of it in Jesus name. Amen" Romans then encourages us to share our faith. Romans 10:9-10

Galatians 1:3-5 Knowing that God can rescue us from the present evil age according to the will of our God and Father, because Jesus rescued us from our sins, is what gives grace and peace. If you haven't experienced this grace and peace surrender to God and ask for His forgiveness and see what happens. Blessings

Galatians 1:1-2 These verses contain the basics of Christianity. Paul is saying he was sent by God not people and that God was Jesus Christ. He then adds the concept of God the Father.  Many struggle with the concept of the 3 beings(God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) being one God but I think of it like H2O (water, steam and ice) Then their is the concept of Jesus rising from the dead.  If He didn't rise Christianity is no longer significant.  So did Jesus rise from the dead?  The fact that it's 2019  today says something very significant happened 2019 years ago or around this time given that our calendar isn't that old.  In addition, most major religions acknowledge Jesus so I think we can safely say Jesus walked this earth but did He rise from the dead?  Some say He never died but the fact that He was stabbed in the side and blood and water like substance came out of Him confirms His death.   https://www.compellingt...