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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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.

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!

II Corinthians 13- Our weakness, God's Strength

3 since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

4 For indeed He was crucified because of [our] weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

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Thank God for His power. If everything were up to us, all we could possibly do it fail. We have to know this: in comparison to God's perfection every action we have is flawed. There is nothing we can do apart from Him that will bring Him Glory.

Now if that first paragraph is true, how amazing is it that God sent His Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ, to be our ransom?

II Corinthians 10- God's Approval

17 But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.

18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

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What a great reminder that we should be more concerned about what God wants in our lives than ourselves. We need to be humble. We need to give God the glory for anything good that has happened in life. It is truly only through Him that we are changed, only through Him we can do any good.

Lord, please help me to be humble. Help me to seek Your will only.

II Corinthians 9- Cheerful Giving

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

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This is the second chapter on giving from II Corinthians. This is truly important to God. Giving, whether it is our time, money or skills, is one of our opportunities to worship the Holy God who created us and everything in this world. The amazing thing is that God continues to provide for all that we need, even if we give sacrificially. That is giving to the point we feel it. It impacts our lives in a real way, not just giving what is left over at the end of the month.

Are you using the money, time and abilities that God gave you for the right things?

II Corinthians 7- Repentance

9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.

10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

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This is a great picture of the true repentance of salvation, but it is also the appropriate response to discipline. The discipline was never meant to break down, or discourage, but to wake us up out of our selfishness. To remind us that God is in control of every circumstance in life and that He has our best in mind. When we can escape the sinful, selfish tendencies we able to move beyond the discipline to see that we have Salvation!

Lord help me respond to Your Word in a manner that always brings me back to a thankful, humble attitude which will easily follow You in whatever you ask.