Pause for thought

Gods promise to Abraham was not to all the descendants of Abraham (note seed singular not seeds plural) It’s fulfilment is in Jesus Christ who is the seed of Abraham and inheritor of the promise, and to all who have faith in Jesus Christ 3:16

Gods covenant promise to Abraham was not annulled by the Law of Moses 430 years later. If this were so then God would be breaking His own covenant promise (it is impossible for Gods covenant to be broken) 3:17.

The Law being inferior to the promise given to Abraham was. 1 To show people how guilty they are but was powerless to make them righteous 3:19. 2 Given to Moses by Angels, in contrast Abraham received the promise direct from God 3:19. 3 There is no conflict between the Law and the promise in that it is showing us we are all sinners and points us to Christ 3:21,22. 4 The Law guarded us until we could put our Faith in Jesus Christ 3:23

The New covenant in Christ makes the old is obsolete Hebrews 8:13 We are all children of the promise through our faith in Jesus Christ and every Christian is United together in Him 3:27.

Memory verse

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, for you are all Christian’s- you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham.You are His heirs, and now all the promises Gave to him belong to you. Galatians 3: 29-30 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

We must not be like the old timer who wore a belt to keep his trousers up, but to be on the safe side wore a pair of bracers as well! This is funny but not so funny when we consider that some believers have similar thoughts. Being weak in faith they are tempted to add a bit of Law (legalism) to the gospel just in case the grace of Jesus Christ is not sufficient. Be warned adding to the Gospel is no gospel at all 1:7,2:16, 3:3.

One of the weapons of the evil one is to divert Christian’s eyes from the Cross of Christ and towards the Law. But like these Galatians we have no excuse because Paul had taught them just as we have been taught what the death and resurrection of Jesus was about and that His gift of salvation is by grace through faith alone 3:1.

We Christians have been given greater weapons that will always overcome the lies of Satan, The chiefest of these is the indwelling presence of God the Holy Spirit, and the truth of scripture. Paul is confronting the lies that some Galatians were believing, by reminding them and us that his Gospel was directly given to him by God, and was attested by the Holy Spirit and is indeed itself the Word of God 1:15-17, 2:2.

Every Christian is the beneficiary of what Christ has done for them, that is, what they could not do for themselves
by keeping the Law, that it is only by faith in Jesus Christ that we are forgiven for our sins and made right in Gods site, and we receive the Holy Spirit 3:13-14.

memory verse

Through the work of Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing He promised to Abraham, and we Christians receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Paul was not so enamoured by Peter and the other Jewish leaders that he failed to see that Peter and those that followed him were not holding firmly to the truth of the gospel they said they believed. Peter and co found it easier to blend in and only eat with the Jews, which meant betraying his fellow gentile Christian’s. The matter was settled because Paul was not afraid to speak out 2:11-16.

Paul did not allow reputation obscure truth 2:6 We should respect Christian leadership but remember they are not infallible. Remember it was only Paul who saw that they were not following the truth 2:14 Peter was a true leader because he humbly received Paul’s correction.

We can see from Galatians that the temptation to blend in with the crowd is not a new temptation! Let us pray that we shall not be found wanting in our time of testing.

To seek to be certain of salvation through keeping the Law, is to reject the grace of Jesus Christ. “There was no sin that Paul and the other apostles so much detested as the contempt of grace, and the refusal of Christ, and yet there is no sin more common” Martin Luther.

God’s way of salvation depends on Jesus Christ, not on our own efforts. Even knowing this we must be on guard lest we be tempted to see christian service, Offerings, or any efforts of my own a substitute for faith 2:17-18

Memory verse

I am not one of those who treats the grace of God as meaningless. For if we could be saved by keeping the Law, then there was no need for Christ to die. Galatians 2:21 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Barnabas joined Paul in preaching to the Gentiles that their faith in Christ alone was enough to save them. They were not bound by any Jewish laws. He was a witness to everything Paul did and preached. He had seen the Holy Spirit given to the Gentiles the evidence of their acceptance by God. Titus was a Gentile as well an overseer of the the churches in Crete. What better evidence of his gospel could Paul present to the Jerusalem Apostles 2:1.

Paul went “by revelation” God sent Paul to Jerusalem at just the right time it was not Paul’s own plan, but because Paul was listening and then obedient to go, a major split was avoided and the false Christian’s were silenced. Paul was aware that some were changing the gospel by adding Jewish laws like circumcision, something needed to be done! But Paul waited for God to tell him to go 2:2.

Titus being a Gentile so uncircumcised was not compelled to be circumcised, this was a watershed moment for the church because up to this time Christianity was seen as a jewish sect 2:3.

We should make up our minds not to listen to anyone who says the Gospel is not enough! 2:5 N.L.T.

Memory verse

But we refused to listen to them for a single moment. we wanted to preserve the truth of the Good News for you. Galatians 2:1-5

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Written by the Apostle Paul from Antioch in about 49 A.D. to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia, including Iconium, Lystra, and Derby.

Pause for thought

We have nothing to gain and everything to lose if we don’t believe the original one and only gospel. Beware of any teaching that resembles the Gospel, it most certainly is not! The Bible makes it clear there is only one Gospel, anything else is already damned 1:6-7.

Salvation is God’s gift not a reward for deeds done, Jesus has made the gift of salvation available to everyone who believes in Him. We don’t need more than simple faith in Jesus Christ who died to takeaway our sins and was raised for our justification. Any addition to this denies the power of Christ’s death on the cross 1:6.

.Paul made it very clear writing that his gospel was not in any way based on human logic but was given him by direct revelation from God. Paul’s life was dramatically changed and brought praises to God from many who knew hi past record as a persecutor of the church. His changed life was evidence of the one true gospel that he preached 1:11-12.

Be on guard for anyone claiming new revelations that are at odds with the gospel of Jesus Christ 1:8-9.

A verse to remember

Obviously I’m not trying to be a people pleaser! No.I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people. I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Paul was not only defending himself against the many false accusations that were being made against him by some in the Corinthian church. He was defending his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ and the cause of the gospel of Christ Himself. He was not particularly concerned about his own reputation but about how the gossip and false accusations were effecting individual Christian’s whose faith in the grace of God was being rocked, he reminded them of the power of God and the truth of the Gospel that was preached to them, and the effect it had in changed lives. And of the many signs and wonders and miracles done among them 12:11-1

Paul suggests the Corinthians should test themselves to see if their faith is genuine or not, just as they had been questioning if he was a genuine apostle! does this mean that we should do the same? Well we should certainly make sure we are not standing still, for the Christian who is not advancing is not standing still but falling back. Another sure sign of a growing Christian is this, Am I living in agreement and peace with my brothers and sisters? Our love for each other proves the reality of Christ within. The last two verses of Paul’s letter reveal Paul’s heart to the Corinthians and to everyone who will read his letter. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Memory Verse

Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other.Live in harmony and peace. Then the God oF love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 (b) N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

It does not follow that because of Paul’s experience, that times of great personal revelation and blessings are always followed by times of testing.

Paul was not permitted to repeat what he heard in paradise, in fact had he been permitted there are no words to describe what he was permitted to see and hear! 12:4

Paul’s experience of being caught up into paradise was followed by a severe time of testing, Paul describes the torment he endured like a thorn in the flesh. The pain Paul endured was allowed by God and delivered by a messenger (demon) of satan 12 7

Paul must of felt that his thorn was a hindrance to his ministry which is why he prayed for its removal. What was a hindrance to Paul has turned out as a blessing to generations of Christian’s who have discovered that Gods power works better when we admit our weaknesses. It’s not only to Paul but to every Christian that God speaks, “my grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness” 12:8

Paul gives us a glimpse of what these weaknesses include, infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, distresses, all for Christs sake 12: 10 a thorn in the flesh is never an excuse for habitual sin, sin is not the weaknesses Paul was referring to, it is to be repented of and confessed 1 John 1:9 Jesus grace forgives and restores us be like Him.

Memory verse

Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Don’t let satan plant a false gospel in your Christian circle! Paul warns against the Corinthians gullibility, it seems that they were heeding the false teaching of the Judaizers (ie) those who taught that to be a real Christian they needed to obey the Law of Moses which included if you were male being circumcised. Paul said their gullibility was bringing them into bondage to a different gospel. This is not restricted to first century Christian’s there are false teachers who infiltrate themselves into todays church they are wolves in sheep’s clothing, their teaching resembles Christs but is very different, it’s really new age teaching propagated by their own prophets and teachers. There are also 21st century Judaizers who teach a work based gospel that knows nothing of grace and is inspired by satan 11:14.

False Apostles reveal their identity by boasting about their “ministry” telling tall stories, that God’s forgiveness means we can lead immoral lives, claim authority from dreams, defy authority, scoff at Angels, takes your money, so selfish thinking only of themselves, they promise much but can produce nothing 11:16-21 Please read Jude 3-16.

The pure bride of Christ should be wise to the possibility of false teaching and false teachers, the Corinthians devotion to Christ was being threatened. But Paul told them to keep focusing on the truth that he preached and his own experience as an Apostle of Jesus Christ . Like them let’s not allow ourselves to be side tracked in anything, to be clear we must check any new teaching against the Bible and refuse to listen to anyone or anything that contradicts God’s word 11:3-4.

Memory verse

If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. God the father of our Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows I tell the truth. 11 30-31 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

We have a choice we can use human methods to win the battles we face in life, or use God’s weapons that are available to every Christian in our fight against the devil. The Holy Spirit, the Word of God, together with prayer and faith, are always effective 10:4 please read Ephesians 6:10-18.

Strongholds develop if we refuse to bring our thoughts in agreement with God’s truth. Some in Corinth persisted in their resistance to Paul and his ministry, probably unaware that their negativity had caused a stronghold of unbelief to develop in their minds. This stronghold is often recognised by others as pride, only Gods weapons can destroy this kind of stronghold 10:5

Don’t fall into the trap of comparing ministries or ministers why? Because it only leads to pride and is an unwise thing to do. Ministries may be similar but are never identical the main thing is that they each boast in what the Lord has done 10:17-18

Always endeavour to keep within the boundaries of God’s plan for your life and ministry, don’t stray outside your anointing! 10:13

Memory verse

With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. 2 Corinthians 10:5 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Paul had encouraged the Churches in Macedonia to give by using the example of the Corinthian church 9:2. Now he is encouraging the Corinthians to have their gift ready, it’s almost as if he is concerned that they might let him down! Paul had praised each of the churches to the other and in doing so had encouraged them all to give. It seems Paul was a little concerned that his boasting about the Corinthians generosity might be overstated, But he need not of worried for the Corinthians gave far beyond what Paul had imagined 9:4.

Church finances should always be handled in a way that is above any suspicion of wrongdoing. In this case the gift for famine relief was overseen by a number of trusted and tested brothers 8:20.

In my view church finances should not be overseen by a committee of one! As Paul says we are to be careful to be honourable before the Lord 8:21.

When we give, we should make up our own minds how much to give, never in response to pressure, but joyfully under loves compulsion 9:7.

We will never out give God! He has already provided all we need with plenty left over to share with others. Like a farmer it is an act of faith when he commits his seed to the ground, but God shows His generosity by giving a great harvest 9:10.

Every time we are led to give to others it is simply the Lord seeking ways to multiply blessings in our lives 9:8

It is certainly more blessed to give than to receive it Acts 20:35.

Memory Verse

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others 9:8 As the scriptures say, “Godly people give generously to the poor, Their good deeds will never be forgotten” Psalms 112:9. N.L.T.

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