8 A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of twisted mind is despised. (ESV)
8 A man will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse mind will be despised. (NASB)
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This verse is what my family looked at today as we ate breakfast. It is simple comparative statement of the results of different mindsets. When I read this in the ESV version this morning the idea of a twisted mind really struck me.
We can so easily have our view of the world skewed in such a way as to respond in our flesh. We get easily angered, view accidents as personal assaults or a myriad of other ways our pride takes over... and our actions/words display our heart condition.
The antidote is of course to "walk by the Spirit" (Gal 5:16). What an incredible blessing that THE Holy Spirit dwells within us. I think we hear this so often we forget His power to transform us. Consider for a moment that the God of the Universe made His dwelling in me...so that by His power, He can change me to be more and more Christ-like.
Lord, help me to be "led by the Spirit", soften my heart to Your will, and change me to be your man...
Showing posts with label Galatians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Galatians. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Galatians 6- Boasting Only in Christ
14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
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My continual prayer is that I would be humble. I have learned over the years that Pride is one of my sinful attitudes that I must constantly be watching, praying about and held accountable to. I always viewed pride as arrogance, and I wasn't arrogant. So I didn't think I had to worry about pride. But the more I saw myself struggling with sin especially in professional relationships, God helped me understand these sins were based on the basic belief that I was better, smarter, more articulate or whatever.
Now, I pray every day as I am heading to work, "Lord give me humility and help me to be a great Ambassador for Christ". It has changed how I interact with my coworkers and boss. It is still a struggle. I am constantly reminded by the Holy Spirit, that I may not have all the answers, or that I just need to listen.
This section of Scripture reminds me that I do have one thing to be "proud" about...that God sent His Son to die in my place. Jesus was the only acceptable sacrifice for all the despicable things that I have done. Thank you Lord that you first loved me!
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My continual prayer is that I would be humble. I have learned over the years that Pride is one of my sinful attitudes that I must constantly be watching, praying about and held accountable to. I always viewed pride as arrogance, and I wasn't arrogant. So I didn't think I had to worry about pride. But the more I saw myself struggling with sin especially in professional relationships, God helped me understand these sins were based on the basic belief that I was better, smarter, more articulate or whatever.
Now, I pray every day as I am heading to work, "Lord give me humility and help me to be a great Ambassador for Christ". It has changed how I interact with my coworkers and boss. It is still a struggle. I am constantly reminded by the Holy Spirit, that I may not have all the answers, or that I just need to listen.
This section of Scripture reminds me that I do have one thing to be "proud" about...that God sent His Son to die in my place. Jesus was the only acceptable sacrifice for all the despicable things that I have done. Thank you Lord that you first loved me!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Galatians 5- Walk by the Spirit
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
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What an amazing picture. If we walk by the Spirit, we will not have an opportunity to pursue the things of this world. We should be so taken by what Christ has done in us, that we run to Him.
Paul brings us back to the Law here. The entire book of Galatians was written to counter the false teaching that we, as believers, must continue to keep the whole Old Testament Law. Paul is trying to instruct that we are saved by FAITH. It is only through the free gift of Salvation that we can be redeemed. Christ's death was the only acceptable sacrifice to God that could pay for our sin!
How incredible...
I am reminded by vs. 17 about the analogy of removing air from a container. What is the most complete way to remove air from a container? Fill it with something water! That is true for us if "air" is our sinful nature and the "water" is God's Spirit.
Are you allowing God to fill you?
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Read More
What an amazing picture. If we walk by the Spirit, we will not have an opportunity to pursue the things of this world. We should be so taken by what Christ has done in us, that we run to Him.
Paul brings us back to the Law here. The entire book of Galatians was written to counter the false teaching that we, as believers, must continue to keep the whole Old Testament Law. Paul is trying to instruct that we are saved by FAITH. It is only through the free gift of Salvation that we can be redeemed. Christ's death was the only acceptable sacrifice to God that could pay for our sin!
How incredible...
I am reminded by vs. 17 about the analogy of removing air from a container. What is the most complete way to remove air from a container? Fill it with something water! That is true for us if "air" is our sinful nature and the "water" is God's Spirit.
Are you allowing God to fill you?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Galatians 4- Heirs
3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
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What an incredible picture of adoption. We are lost in this world. We have on one looking out for our good. We wander around in desperation, trying to make sense of this life, to no avail. Then Christ takes hold of our lives. We discover that He is our redeemer! And when we receive that by Faith, we become adopted sons(and daughters) of God, with full rights to the fullness of His inheritance.
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
Read Only
What an incredible picture of adoption. We are lost in this world. We have on one looking out for our good. We wander around in desperation, trying to make sense of this life, to no avail. Then Christ takes hold of our lives. We discover that He is our redeemer! And when we receive that by Faith, we become adopted sons(and daughters) of God, with full rights to the fullness of His inheritance.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Galatians 3- Salvation by Faith Alone
5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are (K)sons of Abraham.
8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM."
11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM."
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
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6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are (K)sons of Abraham.
8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM."
11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM."
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Read More
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Galatians 2- Crucified with Christ
20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
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What a privilege we have that our flesh has been crucified. We no longer need to obey the fleshly desires. We must live by faith to experience God's power of transformation.
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What a privilege we have that our flesh has been crucified. We no longer need to obey the fleshly desires. We must live by faith to experience God's power of transformation.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Galatians 1- Seeking God's Favor
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
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We are called to be imitators of Christ. Our examples for how to live like Christ include the apostles, like Paul. Now I look at this section of scripture and when I apply it to myself I am seeing the importance of doing everything for Christ's glory.
It would be easy to take this verse out of context and say that I do not have to please men (like my boss, local authorities, etc), however it is important that we understand this in regard to teaching false doctrine. I must do what my boss asks me (unless it is illegal, or against my convictions) because in doing so I am serving Christ!
This verse is about not changing the Gospel message. It is about protecting the important doctrine of Justification by faith, not works.
The book will go on to talk about the futility of the Old Testament Law. And as we see in Scripture time and again, the Law only brings proof that we are insufficient on our own and NEED CHRIST TO SAVE US!
Read More
We are called to be imitators of Christ. Our examples for how to live like Christ include the apostles, like Paul. Now I look at this section of scripture and when I apply it to myself I am seeing the importance of doing everything for Christ's glory.
It would be easy to take this verse out of context and say that I do not have to please men (like my boss, local authorities, etc), however it is important that we understand this in regard to teaching false doctrine. I must do what my boss asks me (unless it is illegal, or against my convictions) because in doing so I am serving Christ!
This verse is about not changing the Gospel message. It is about protecting the important doctrine of Justification by faith, not works.
The book will go on to talk about the futility of the Old Testament Law. And as we see in Scripture time and again, the Law only brings proof that we are insufficient on our own and NEED CHRIST TO SAVE US!
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