January 9 – Divinely and Parentally Reimaged

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” -  Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)

This is a verse that demonstrates a need to close a gap in our means of interpretation. Adoption, in the time that Rome ruled the world and Paul wrote his letters to the churches in the first century was not like the adoptions we are familiar with today. It was not babies or young children but adult men that were adopted by families seeking to have an heir to carry on the family name and business. It was different in many ways to adoption familiar to us. “Adoption” is the act of bringing someone who is the offspring of another into one’s own family. Since unbelieving people are by nature not children of God, the only way they can become God’s children is by spiritual adoption. Indeed, we are made members of our Father God’s family”. With respect to this adoption, it surpasses anything that takes place on earth. It confers upon its recipients not only a new name, a new legal standing, and a new family-relationship, but also a new image, the image of Christ. We are adopted by God because He has chosen us to become one of His family. It is a permanent action and standing. 

199

August 08 – The Good of Doing Good Works

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” – Galatians 6:9-10 (NASB)

We stress frequently that we cannot earn salvation and eternal life by doing good works. It is the gift of faith that brings us the grace we need to believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. But good works are not to be forgotten. Doing good is a commandment in the Bible. We are promised that the good works we do in obedience to God will result in a harvest of righteousness. What we reap is lives that are saved from the wages of sin – death. (Romans 6:23) Humans can be a bit impatient however. When we do not see the positive results of our work for God, we are tempted to give up. We might even call it ‘burned out’ and we are also tempted to lose heart. Our calling as faith believers is to stay on task and trust that in due time, we will see results. Our good works are for all people, demonstrating the love and sacrifice Christ made for all the world. And even more, for all in the faith who are called children of God. When is the time to do good? It is “while we have opportunity” means NOW. 

198

June 19 – Joyful Righteous Freedom

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV)
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1 (NASB)
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” – 1 Peter 2:16 (ESV) 

Today we have three verses on freedom. The United States will be celebrating freedom on the nation’s newest federal holiday. Juneteenth National Independence Day became the 12th legal public holiday on June 17, 2021. The action of one human owning another and determining all aspects of another’s life has always been a tragic part of human history. Slavery continues around the world even to this day. The pursuit of freedom from bondage and statutory slavery is a natural desire. Often over-looked is the deadly slavery to sin that holds people in bondage to unrighteous thought, speech, and actions. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God came into our world, born as a baby and lived a perfect human life⸺free of any sin. Christ was never a salve to sin so when He offered himself in our place, to die for us, it gave each of us the opportunity to be free from slavery to sin as well. Christ’s death satisfied the penalty for sin that was due (Romans 6:23). Through faith believing in Christ, we are set free from sin – we are no long in bondage to sin, we are free as we abide in Christ’s righteousness.  

196

January 25 – One Word Fulfills

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.” Galatians 5:14-15 (NASB)

The promise that we find in this verse is that “love” is of paramount importance in the life of a Christian. Jesus said it was proof of discipleship. Apostle Paul in this letter to the several churches in Galatia (we don’t know exactly how many), that had been under attack by false teachers, the Judaizers. These Judaizers were aggressive in their legalistic methods to keep Christians as a sect of Judaism. In the fruit of the Spirit we studied yesterday, Love was the first of the list. Paul urgently writes in this letter and makes clear that such love needed to be mutually expressed in the Galatian churches.. As a result of the inroads of the false teachers they were insisting Christians uphold observance of the Mosaic Law as they interpreted and corrupted it with thousands of added legalistic requirements.  The church was divided and engaged in bitter strife. The followers of the legalists and those who remained steadfast were biting and devouring each other. This was far from the biblical ideal of believers dwelling together in a loving unity, and threatened the churches with destruction and the loss of their individual and corporate testimonies.  

- 197 -

January 24 – A Bundled Package of Fruit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

It is common that these verses are misread and mistaught on a pretty regular basis. The error comes in the word ‘fruit’ which is read as ‘fruits.’ These nine qualities of character are a bundled package. Together they are the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of an obedient follower of Jesus. As listed there, this fruit is the evident mark one may expect from a life in which the Spirit of God is living and reigning and Jesus is Lord. Jesus also implied that one’s character of life can be determined. In Matthew 7, the test for false prophets is, among other things, the kind of life they live. Consequently, even though Jesus did prohibit disapproving criticism of others by his followers (Matthew 7:1), He encouraged fruit inspection. The secret to exhibiting spiritual fruit in abundance is described in John 12:24. Using as an illustration a grain of wheat sown in the ground, Jesus encourages death to self and to the desires of the old nature and resurrection to the new life of “much fruit.” Our promise is this fruit produced in our lives if we live according to the Spirit of God.

- 197 -

October 26 – Clearing Interferences

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

What are some of the interferences in our lives that are in the way of our absolute devotion to our Lord Jesus.  There may be many, and sometimes we find that we've painted ourselves into a corner of the room. How will we get a devotion that is abandoned to Him? Think who the New Testament says that Jesus Christ is, and then think of the disgraceful meanness of the unhappy faith we have — ‘Life has not been fair and we haven’t had this or that experience!’ Then shift your thinking to what faith in Jesus Christ claims — that He can present us faultless before the throne of God. (Jude 1:24) It is a day like today when all our life may seem to be threatened by circumstances beyond our control. Maybe we're anxious on the very edge of panic. We have here the truth in a promise that we can hang on to. The Son of God, Christ Jesus our Lord loves us more than we can describe or understand and that’s why He went to the cross for us. Praise God if you are not there today and remember this for when you will be.

- 197 -

* This day’s thoughts came in part from: –Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986)

June 12 – Freedom to Serve Each Other

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”  - Galatians 5:13 (NASB)

It is often the case the context of our verses of promise often bear greatly on our understanding.  This verse comes within the contest that the Apostle Paul was correcting a false teaching in the churches of Galatia.  Some false teachers were saying new believers needed to become Jews and follow the Jewish tradition of the Law and be circumcised.  In verse 5:1 Paul states that was no longer necessary because Christ has set us free from such a yoke. Believers were free from these obligations that once were required of the people of Israel – the Jewish nation.  Instead freedom was what Christians were called to.  This was and is a promise that legalism is a thing of the past.  Paul then cautions the Galatians to be certain that their freedom was not abused by taking advantage and using it to fulfill lustful desires.  The promise of freedom, that we all have been given in Christ, is given so that we can, through love, serve one another.  This may be very pertinent for our present situation as many have the need of help. So, let’s serve one another in our freedom for God’s honor and glory. 

-196-

May 26 – Permanent Adoption

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”  - Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV) 

Our promise in our verse today is a promise of adoption.  We are promised adoption into God’s family and this is full adoption as an heir.  It is helpful to know that this adoption the Apostle Paul speaks of is not like adoption we have in our world today.  When a couple seeks to adopt, it is a child they are hoping to adopt.  From newborn up into any age that a minor child may be.  But in the time of Paul’s letter to the Galatians and Romans, adoption was done only with adult males.  It was for many reasons but the main purpose was to designate an heir who would be the chosen heir of a family’s estate and fortune.  All that Christ did after being sent into this world as a human, was done in order to fulfill this promise of our adoption into God’s family.  Our adoption is promised by God and once adopted; we will never lose that blessing.  In the time of Paul, by Roman law*, natural born children could be disowned. but those once adopted into a Roman family could never be disowned.  Our adoption into God's family is even more secure. 

-198-

*There was a power in ancient Rome called patria potestas, which essentially says “the father’s power.” Definition of patria potestas  : the power of the head of a Roman family over his wife, children, agnatic descendants, slaves, and freedmen including originally the right to punish by death and always embracing complete control over the limited personal and private rights and duties of all members of the family

“Patria potestas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patria%20potestas. Accessed 2 May. 2020.

May 15 – Time on Time

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”  - Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)

We hope that you do not struggle with questions that spring up from your worries. Do you ask whether you truly have a place in God’s family? Are you concerned that God might change His mind and renege on His acceptance of you?  Such worries are unfounded and come from not understanding or believing this truth – that our salvation is completely the work of God. We’re responsible to respond but we did nothing to be saved. This verse tells us that it was God’s timing, God’s plan to include His Son, and God’s choosing how it was to be done.  And it was God’s purpose that we are adopted as sons the moment we believe. God does not lie or change his mind or renege on His promises because He is perfect in all he says.  A true promise, the kind God makes for us is one that will be fulfilled because He made it.  God kicks no one out of His family. Jesus was born under the Law but His submission of himself as a perfect sacrifice removed the consequences of failing to keep the Law. 

-187-

May 13 – No Distinction

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  - Galatians 3:28 (NASB)

Let us look back and consider the plan of God for the first people who were called Christians. On the day of Pentecost, perhaps fifteen or more different nationalities and languages were present in Jerusalem to hear Peter proclaim the Gospel of Jesus.  The Roman empire covered a massively large part of the known world.  In the region of Galatia Paul and others started churches.  Unlike the contrast and conflict that existed between people of the world, in the assemblies of believers were Jews, Greeks, those who were slaves and those who were free, men and women. The churches were made up of those who sought after Christ and had fellowship with one another. In these churches men and woman worshiped together (something very different from the tradition of Jewish synagogues of the time.) The lines of distinction which existed in the world in that day were not to exist within their assemblies. In the churches all were of one body through Christ Jesus as our promise tells us today. Divergent people can get along – especially in our churches and assemblies. In the heart of Christ followers God has put peace.   

-191-

December 21 – Perfect Timing

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5 (NASB)

We do not know the exact date Jesus was born. That is not recorded for us. We do know that He did come perfectly on time.  In God’s timetable, when the exact religious, cultural, and political conditions demanded by His perfect plan were in place, Jesus came into the world.  And He had set the hour and the place as well.  God sent His Son to bring all who believe out from under bondage to the law—a truth Jesus repeatedly affirmed.  “Born of woman” emphasizes Jesus’ full humanity, not merely His virgin birth.  In the same way still, it is true with the events of our lives. God allows things to come into our lives to fulfill His purpose for us. Things don’t just happen and they aren’t accidental. Let us praise God for that and trust Him. The promise is that Jesus came to redeem all who would believe and adopt as sons* all who receive Jesus as Savior. 

* The Greek word for adoption as sons is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.

# # #

August 22 – Living Again

“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.” Galatians 2:20 - (NASB)

This is a verse that has a wonderful truth and promise for those who have believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior.  The Apostle Paul writes that he had been crucified with Christ.  How can that be?  It is by the work Jesus has done.  He has taken the wages of our sin upon Himself and what should have been done to us was instead, done to Him on the Cross.  So we come to believe and by we faith receive Jesus into our lives so that we actually live in Him and He lives in us.  We are bound together.  The effects of what Jesus Christ did by His free will are credited to us as if we have experienced it in Him.  Christ's crucifixion becomes our crucifixion and we no longer live as we once did, burdened with the guilt of our sinful nature, but we live now through the life Christ has given us to live in Him.  This is the secret, or sometimes called the mystery* of the Christian life is to allow Jesus Christ to live out His life through us by faith believing.  By allowing  the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, we become a vital representative of Christ.

# # #

* Eph 3:6 - "This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

June 13 – Completed For Us

“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.”  Galatians 2:20  (NASB)

When the Apostle Paul wrote these words of testimony in his letter to the faithful believers and Christ followers in the cities of Asia Minor, he was teaching them and us what our faith in Jesus means.  Believing and accepting what Jesus Christ did when he died on the cross and rose from the grave means that Christ's sacrificial action was on our behalf and is therefore counted to us as well.  Christ's crucifixion has effectively become ours and we do not face that death because Christ faced it for us and credited it to our account.  We too have been crucified with Christ – this is a promise we can cling to.  So now just as that was by faith in Christ, we now live in our mortal bodies by faith because Christ is living in us.  All these promises are true and have become real because Jesus, the Son of God sacrificed Himself for each of us who believe and receive the gift of eternal life.    

# # #

June 1 – Sustaining Good Actions

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)

We are all susceptible to getting tired.  Today's verse is an encouragement to not get tired of doing what God has given us to do, that is, doing good and not evil.  Our thoughts, words, actions are all watched over by God.  He has a purpose he has given to us and we persevere in that purpose.   When we believed and received the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life, we were bought into God's family.  This is the result of our salvation bought by the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross.  As children of God and members of His family, God wants us to show this relationship by our actions toward other members of this great family.  God wants us to do good, especially to other believers and to not get tired doing good.  We are promised a reward if we persevere.  Be on the look-out, be alert for the opportunities to do good to everyone.  Be especially intentional of doing good for the brothers and sisters in Christ who are part of the family of God.    

# # #

February 27 – Not Us But Him

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20  (ESV)

In these words the Apostle Paul gave his testimony as to how he was living the Christian life.  We have selected this passage today because the words remind us of important principles in our Christian lives too.  We are not living our Christian lives by ourselves or by our own effort.  When we accept Jesus as our Savior He comes to live with us.  So then, we keep on living by faith in Him and as we trust in Him each day, He guides us in the decisions which we have to make.  Why is this worth it?  Because the Son of God, Jesus, loved us enough to give His life for each of us.   He also helps us to overcome problems and to bring glory to Him in our testimony to others.  Today and everyday these promises are for us and our Christian life is by faith in our Savior every day.  

#-#-#

December 21 – Perfect Time

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,  so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”  Galatians 4:4-5  (NASB)

It is more than 2000 years now since Jesus was born.  Before He was born many people had lived and died here on earth.  We have a promise from the Bible in today's verse which reminds us about the timing of the birth of Jesus.  God had sent an angel to Mary to tell her about His plans.  He also arranged for the official order from the Roman emperor for a census so that Joseph and Mary, living in Nazareth, would be in right place, in Bethlehem, for the right time of the birth.  This was all in accord with the prophecies given centuries before.  Our verse today tells us that Jesus came when the time had fully come for Him to be born, the time which our God had chosen.  The circumstances and time was exactly as God ordained in order for Him to carry out His plan to bring us who believe into His family.  It is by faith in what God did for us that we have been adopted into His family.   God picked the day and the hour and now, He calls us to Himself to be His sons and daughters.  

#-#-#

Please take the time to share with friends.

August 22 – Living By New Life

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, God gave us a new life.  This is what the Apostle Paul was writing about to the Christians in Galatia in this letter.  This is his testimony and it is ours as well if we have believed in Jesus.  Because, when we do believe, at that moment, God gives us a new life.  We still live in the bodies we have, eating, drinking sleeping and working as we did before, but there is a wonderful new element in our living.  We now have a spiritual life and relationship with God which we maintain by faith.  This new life we live by faith believing in Jesus.  He died for us to give us eternal life.  We trust in His love to take care of all our needs while we're living still here on earth.  And He promises to be working in us to prepare us to live with Him forever in Heaven.  Today, we can each renew our faith and trust that God will always be with us and will fulfill this promise.  

Note: If you have found hope and encouragement in these daily blogs, please share them with your friends.  

# # #

December 21

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship*.” Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)

We do not know the exact date Jesus was born. That is not recorded for us. We do know that He did come perfectly on time. Jesus came when the time had fully come. And who was it that had set that time? It was, of course God Himself. He had set the year, the month and the day. And He had set the hour and the place as well. So we know that when Jesus came was when the “time had fully come.” The same thing is true with the events of our lives. God allows things to come into our lives to fulfill His purpose for us. Things don’t just happen and they aren’t accidental. Let us praise God for that and trust Him. 

* The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.

May 14

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Our God in heaven knows what we, as humans, need. That’s why He has given us statements such as this one. We must admit that there are times when we are tempted to give up trying to do what God wants us to do. When we are trying to do what is right we may not always see the results that we expect as soon as we would like. This word tells us that the results will come at the proper time – and that is God’s time. It encourages us not to become weary or to give up, to trust Him to bring results in His time. 

January 25

“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out ‘Abba Father’.” Galatians 4:6 (NIV)

When we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we become children of God. This verse tells how we become aware that we are God’s children. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to make us realize that the great Creator is now our Father. When we call on God as our Father, it is the Holy Spirit living in us that makes the relationship real. And when the Holy Spirit teaches us to call God “Abba Father”, He is making our relationship very real – as a child today calls its father “Daddy”. Let’s let the Holy Spirit teach us more of what that means for us.