Today we start the book of Galatians…
Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights
lapl”What has happened to all your joy?” v.15 I think it is significant that when the Galatians went back to trying to fulfil the law they lost their joy.
I also think v.29 is very telling, “At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.”
lapl”What has happened to all your joy?” v.15 I think it is significant that when the Galatians went back to trying to fulfil the law they lost their joy.
I also think v.29 is very telling, “At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.”
I find myself being spoken too by paul in the first part of this chapter right along with the galatians…
I find myself being spoken too by paul in the first part of this chapter right along with the galatians…
i agree completely, susan. trying to fulfill the law, whatever that law may be, steals joy. at least, that is the case in my own life. only when i am free from the law do i get joy in doing the right thing. for law puts me under obligation. i MUST do this or that. whereas, the lord loves a cheerful giver. when i am free to do as i wish, i do what i wish to please the lord. not as YOU think the lord should be pleased, but as the spirit leads from my heart. as i said, from the outside, it seems like anarchy. but in truth, from the heart, it is a chosen slavery to christ.
and hersch, yeah. the first part of this chapter is actually a handbook for mainline denominational churches in america, isn’t it? (v.10-11 especially) and paul actually says that when they act this way (the same way modern churches act) that he is in fear that his work in them was IN VAIN! that by observing traditions they have MISSED THE POINT OF THE SPIRIT AND ARE IN DANGER! the same thing jesus told the pharisees.
they are the children of the bondwoman. and as such, they will persecute those according to the spirit. but now, we have to ask… where are those of the spirit? it seems as if those who indeed hear from the spirit are often afraid to speak for fear of being “put out of the synagogue.” because our whole lives we have been told this is true. this religion is the one. what if we find we can no longeer accept it in good conscience? can we accept it? do we fear god or men? i think that is the choice the apostles were forced to make in acts. though they did not want to, and went back to the synagogues again and again. because they knew those houses were the houses of the true revelation of god. but what had been done with the revelation had been perverted. and as they spoke to this effect, the children of the bondwoman sought to end them who were children of the FREE woman. because people walking around completely free are a threat to those who control through fear or punishment. and who love the control. (whether consciously or not) and of course, there are those who are simply zealous for god, but have always been taught that upholding the traditions are the same as serving god. PRAY FOR SUCH AS THESE! that their eyes may be opened to the work of the spirit and not the keeping of law. for if righteousness could be gained through the law, christ died for nothing!
dkqtvvyy
i agree completely, susan. trying to fulfill the law, whatever that law may be, steals joy. at least, that is the case in my own life. only when i am free from the law do i get joy in doing the right thing. for law puts me under obligation. i MUST do this or that. whereas, the lord loves a cheerful giver. when i am free to do as i wish, i do what i wish to please the lord. not as YOU think the lord should be pleased, but as the spirit leads from my heart. as i said, from the outside, it seems like anarchy. but in truth, from the heart, it is a chosen slavery to christ.
and hersch, yeah. the first part of this chapter is actually a handbook for mainline denominational churches in america, isn’t it? (v.10-11 especially) and paul actually says that when they act this way (the same way modern churches act) that he is in fear that his work in them was IN VAIN! that by observing traditions they have MISSED THE POINT OF THE SPIRIT AND ARE IN DANGER! the same thing jesus told the pharisees.
they are the children of the bondwoman. and as such, they will persecute those according to the spirit. but now, we have to ask… where are those of the spirit? it seems as if those who indeed hear from the spirit are often afraid to speak for fear of being “put out of the synagogue.” because our whole lives we have been told this is true. this religion is the one. what if we find we can no longeer accept it in good conscience? can we accept it? do we fear god or men? i think that is the choice the apostles were forced to make in acts. though they did not want to, and went back to the synagogues again and again. because they knew those houses were the houses of the true revelation of god. but what had been done with the revelation had been perverted. and as they spoke to this effect, the children of the bondwoman sought to end them who were children of the FREE woman. because people walking around completely free are a threat to those who control through fear or punishment. and who love the control. (whether consciously or not) and of course, there are those who are simply zealous for god, but have always been taught that upholding the traditions are the same as serving god. PRAY FOR SUCH AS THESE! that their eyes may be opened to the work of the spirit and not the keeping of law. for if righteousness could be gained through the law, christ died for nothing!
dkqtvvyy
A Roman father would often appoint a guardian for managing his child’s affaira til the child was 25 years old. New christians are like children and they have to have guidance they need guidance and that is why the law is so imporant to them. We are subject to the law and what it teaches.
Hmm, Jon…free to do as you wish? What if what you wish to do is not what God wishes that we do? Can we not be joyful and still follow the laws put before us?
Hershel is so right. I can mentally put myself right in front of paul while he preached but as a woman I was probably in the back listening to him.
A Roman father would often appoint a guardian for managing his child’s affaira til the child was 25 years old. New christians are like children and they have to have guidance they need guidance and that is why the law is so imporant to them. We are subject to the law and what it teaches.
Hmm, Jon…free to do as you wish? What if what you wish to do is not what God wishes that we do? Can we not be joyful and still follow the laws put before us?
Hershel is so right. I can mentally put myself right in front of paul while he preached but as a woman I was probably in the back listening to him.
in case you have missed it, i say yes. free to do as you wish. isn’t that contrary to what paul is saying in chapter 5? “…so that you do not do what you desire?” i don’t think so. this whole time, paul is contrasting walking according to the flesh and walking according to the spirit of god. i believe that if you are walking according to the spirit that you may indeed do as you desire. (see titus 1:15) and if what you are doing is contrary to god, he will let you know if you’re listening. he’s got his ways. believe me.
and as to whether we can have joy in the law or not… i think that’s the point paul is making here. WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER LAW. we do not have a law set before us except what paul, in speaking to the corinthians, calls “the law of christ.” for if we examine the new testament concept of law from jesus, he boils it down to something intangible. “love god with everything you’ve got. and love everyone else the same way you love yourself.” that’s it. i think if you are doing those things, from your heart, WHATEVER you choose to do is okay. and then, if god opens you up to something that you should stop. stop. but if he shows you something you should do. do it.
in the meantime between the two, don’t worry about it. the cross is big enough to cover over any missteps. for all time.
hhfplyl
in case you have missed it, i say yes. free to do as you wish. isn’t that contrary to what paul is saying in chapter 5? “…so that you do not do what you desire?” i don’t think so. this whole time, paul is contrasting walking according to the flesh and walking according to the spirit of god. i believe that if you are walking according to the spirit that you may indeed do as you desire. (see titus 1:15) and if what you are doing is contrary to god, he will let you know if you’re listening. he’s got his ways. believe me.
and as to whether we can have joy in the law or not… i think that’s the point paul is making here. WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER LAW. we do not have a law set before us except what paul, in speaking to the corinthians, calls “the law of christ.” for if we examine the new testament concept of law from jesus, he boils it down to something intangible. “love god with everything you’ve got. and love everyone else the same way you love yourself.” that’s it. i think if you are doing those things, from your heart, WHATEVER you choose to do is okay. and then, if god opens you up to something that you should stop. stop. but if he shows you something you should do. do it.
in the meantime between the two, don’t worry about it. the cross is big enough to cover over any missteps. for all time.
hhfplyl
Jon…I think I do understand you now. It was just fuzzy the first time around.
Jon…I think I do understand you now. It was just fuzzy the first time around.
v.9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God
It is not that we get to know God but rather he reveals himself to us. It is rather presumuous of us to say we found God or we know God without also saying he reveal himself to me. He allows us to find him. The initiative is always with God.
v.9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God
It is not that we get to know God but rather he reveals himself to us. It is rather presumuous of us to say we found God or we know God without also saying he reveal himself to me. He allows us to find him. The initiative is always with God.
v.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.
"It is the same now"!! Persecution comes from those who want to do things by human effort and not by the power of the Spirit.
v.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.
"It is the same now"!! Persecution comes from those who want to do things by human effort and not by the power of the Spirit.
v.21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?
Some want to be under the law. Being under the law is easier than grace. Being under law means performing certain rituals, keeping certain rules. Being under grace means listening and obeying God's Spirit.
"People are slaves because slavery is easy and freedom is difficult."
v.21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?
Some want to be under the law. Being under the law is easier than grace. Being under law means performing certain rituals, keeping certain rules. Being under grace means listening and obeying God's Spirit.
"People are slaves because slavery is easy and freedom is difficult."