Author Archives: gonelikeashadowatevening

Bible, Captivity, Chains, Conviction, Deliverance, Devil, Escape, Freedom, Judgment, Prison, Rescue, Scripture

NO ESCAPE

GALATIANS 3:23

“But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed.”

Click! Click! That is the sound you hear as you enter the jail. I served as a Chaplain for our County Sheriff Department for a while. Part of my duties was to visit the officers in the jail. You see, my role was not chaplain to the prisoners. My role was to the officers. And even though they were innocent of any crime, they were locked behind those bars every day also. On the other hand, the inmates remained behind. They could not just walk out. They were condemned to serve their sentence.

Paul continues the idea of the Law being restrictive and confining in today’s verse. In fact, he uses two words that point to that. He says “were kept in custody.” That’s the Greek word phrouréō which means “to actively display whatever defensive and offensive means are necessary to guard.” (HELPS Word Studies). The other word Paul uses is sugkleió which means to enclose or shut in. Paul is saying the Law held us captive until Jesus could be revealed.

APPLICATION

Well Carl, I’m not held captive by anything. I am free as a bird. Are you really? If you are in Jesus, you are free (as we discussed over the past few days), but even then, we can put ourselves back up under Law by thinking we have to do certain things to earn “brownie points” for heaven. There is nothing you can do, outside of surrendering to Jesus, that will get you through those pearly gates.

Acts 16:26 is a great picture of our salvation in Christ. Paul and Silas are sitting in prison for preaching about Jesus and then this happens. “and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened.” That’s must be how it looks to God when we finally give our lives to Him. Bam! The chains fall off.

In stark contrast to our freedom in Christ, we see Satan, that ‘ole deceiver chained by God. Revelation 20:1-3 give us a great picture of that. “1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he took hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he threw him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.” Praise be God, Who is the chain breaker and chain maker.

O Father, You have promised freedom for me and imprisonment for the devil. You are the all powerful Judge.

Standard
Bible, Captivity, Deliverance, Freedom, Promises, Scripture

IMPRISONED

GALATIANS 3:22

“But the Scripture has confined everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”

I have never been in jail or prison. I pray I never have to spend time there. You may have heard the joke that asks you to say the first four words you would say if you woke up in prison with your best friend. Mine would be “I told you no,” or “Don’t do that Bubba.” Anyway, no one wants to be in jail, but before Christ we all are, in a way.

In today’s verse, Paul uses a word translated as “concluded” that could also be translated as “imprisoned.” You see, we are all guilty under the Law, therefore we are all sentenced to an eternal prison, hell. But the last part of his verse gives us our “Get out of jail free card.” When we put our faith in Jesus, we receive all the promises from Him, including freedom from sin. It no longer has power over us. Praise be to God!

APPLICATION

Later in this letter to the Galatians, Paul says, “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). Don’t you think this whole idea of freedom in Christ was running through his mind as he penned these words in today’s verse? Paul knew the bondage that came with the demands of the Law. He couldn’t stand the idea of these new Gentile believers being shackled by them.

In John 8 Jesus addresses some Jewish believers. John 8:34-36 is a great discourse. “34 Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 Now the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.’” Can you imagine their relief, knowing they were set free from all the demands of the Law?

We too have been set free. 2 Corinthians 3:17 tell us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” And where is that Spirit? He dwells in you! Therefore, you are free. You are free to live a life that honors the Lord Jesus. You are free to worship Him in spirit and in truth. You are free. Never put back on the chains of sin.

Thank You, Lord, for setting me free through Jesus. I praise You for the liberation I have in Him.  

Standard
Bible, Freedom, Grace, Law, Scripture

ONLY IF

GALATIANS 3:21

“Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? Far from it! For if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.”

There’s a saying, “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” You can get close and still have a point or cause an impact. But in everything else, you need to hit it right on the dot. It does no good to say, “If only I had scored more points” or “If only I had studied more.” Do you get my meaning?

In today’s verse, Paul is saying if only the law had been able to save us. He knew the limitations of the law because he had tried to live by it. He knew from first had experience the frailty of the Law. The Law did point to Christ, but only the ones who placed their faith in Jesus are able to see it.

APPLICATION

Most of us Gentiles have never been burdened in keeping the Law of Moses. We have never thought about eating kosher or following all the restrictions. Only when we come to Christ do we see how the Law points to Him. But we put ourselves under so many other Laws like going to church every time the doors are open or giving our tithe each week. I’ve even been told you can’t fish or hunt on Sunday.

No law is able to redeem us back into the relationship with Jesus that we need. I think of Matthew 11:28-30. “28‘Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30  For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.’” The yoke of Jesus is not burdensome. Why? Because He is yoked along with us. He shows us how to live holy.

So, how will you live today – under Law or under grace? What does living under grace mean to you? You need to live each day as if He is going to appear any moment. Live to please the Master. Live to honor Him in everything you do. Will you do that?

Lord God, You gave us the Law to point toward Jesus. Thank You for His saving grace.

Standard
Advocate, Bible, God's Will, Grace, Law, Mediator, Scripture

MEDIATOR

GALATIANS 3:20

“Now a mediator is not for one party only; but God is only one.”

I was party to a mediation years ago in which a husband and a wife were going through a divorce. I sat there as a witness for one of the parties, in case I was needed (I wasn’t). It was clear from the very beginning of the proceedings that the mediator was on neither the husband’s nor the wife’s side. They were an impartial party to the conflict. Their job was to settle the dispute amicably. The success of their mission depended on their neutrality.

Today’s verse is the subject of much controversy. There are as many interpretations of this verse as there are interpreters. I cannot begin to settle the dispute in this short devotion. You have to look at the context of the passage. Paul has been discussing the contrast between the Law and grace. Two sides of righteousness are depicted here. I truly believe Paul is saying simply that God is in charge! The word “only” is not in the original Greek. Paul writes “God is one.” He is the one who makes things right. He is the one who declares us righteous! But He is not an impartial mediator. He is on our side!

APPLICATION

Let me say again that this passage is a much debated one. I would encourage you to spend some time reading some of the commentaries on this passage (use Bible Hub or Blue Letter). Bible). But let’s nail down what this means for us today. After all, isn’t that the purpose for reading Scripture?

Deuteronomy 6:4 says, ““Hear, Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!” This is known as the “Shema” or the call to worship for the Jews. Listen up Israel, Jehovah is our God and Jehovah is one! I believe Paul, being a former Pharisee, had this verse on his mind when the Holy Spirit inspired him to write today’s verse. There is no other God. He is the only One.

But lest you believe to believe that is enough, read James 2:19. “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” Believing in God is not enough. You have to have faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. That was the problem with the Law. It taught all about God being One, but it did not bring salvation. That is only made available through Jesus.

So, what will you do with this verse today? Remember that God is One, but that One is comprised of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The three make One. Do I understand that? No! But I believe it and have faith in it. Do you?

For I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able…

Standard
AMAZED, Angels, Appearance, Bible, God's Will, Heaven, Messages, Scripture

ANGELS?

GALATIANS 3:19

“Why the Law then? It was added on account of the violations, having been ordered through angels at the hand of a mediator, until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.”

I know people who have had personal encounters with angels. Now, before you stop reading and mark me off as crazy, why should that amaze you? God has used angels all through history to deliver His messages to individuals. He has sent angels to protect and defend the innocent. So, let’s take a look at some angels today.

Paul speaks of an angelic event that is less familiar. A very strong rabbinical teaching centered around the angelic presence at the time the Law was given. Look at Deuteronomy 33:2. “He said, ‘The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone from Mount Paran, And He came from the midst of myriads of holy ones; At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.’” That “myriads of holy ones” refers to ten thousands of angels. Pretty cool.

APPLICATION

Okay Carl, let’s see you apply this verse to our lives. Don’t you see? We are surrounded by angels. One of my favorite verses has to do with children having their angels. Jesus said in Matthew 18:10, “‘See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.’” Did you catch that? “their angels in heaven.

How about the passage that talks about our unknown encounters with angels? Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” I want you to understand that angels are really an everyday thing. We should not be surprised if we have the blessing of such a meeting. I could have gone on and on listing more and more about angels in the Word. Why don’t you do a word search of angels? It might just surprise you.

Let me encourage you, though, should you have an encounter, don’t go around telling everyone. You might get locked up in a hospital, lol. Most people don’t have a box for such things. But we know, as believers in Christ, that He can and does use these heavenly hosts when it is appropriate. Until then, just serve Jesus. Don’t spend your time looking for angels. Spend your time living for Jesus and looking for His return.

And the angels cried, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.”

Standard
Bible, Forgiveness, Gifts, Grace, Mercy, Salvation, Scripture, Secrets

HE HAS GRANTED

GALATIANS 3:18

“For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.”

Getting something you don’t deserve is nice. It’s especially nice if you receive it in spite of something you may have done. Grace gifts are given that way. Have you ever received a gift like that? I sure have. My wife has forgiven me more times than I can count when I know I didn’t deserve it. She’s that kind of person. How can she do that? It’s only because she knows how much she’s been forgiven.

In today’s verse, Paul makes a statement that needs to be looked at. He says, “God has granted.” That Greek word for “has granted” is “used of God giving His grace to pardon. This is freely done and therefore not based on any merit of the one receiving forgiveness. It is used of God giving His grace to pardon. This is freely done and therefore not based on any merit of the one receiving forgiveness.” (HELPS Word Studies)

APPLICATION

Why did I use such a long quote above? I wanted you to see the full definition of this word. We have been granted our righteousness through Jesus in the same way. It is given to us not based on anything we have done. In fact, we don’t deserve it. We deserve hell. But God saw fit to send His one and only Son to die for us. John 3:16 tells us that.

In 2 Corinthians 9:8 Paul says this, “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” Don’t you like that? His grace overflows to us. How about Ephesians 4:7? “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” The gift of grace has nothing to do with us and all to do with Him.

Here’s a practical application of this verse. Will you extend grace to someone who doesn’t deserve it? Perhaps they have offended you – give grace. Maybe they have lied about you – give grace. They may have tried to intentionally hurt you – give grace. That is exactly what God does for us. Shouldn’t we imitate Him? I didn’t say it would be easy, but it would be the “grace filled” thing to do.

Father God, give me the grace I need to extend grace to others.  

Standard
Bible, Power, Promises, Redemption, Scripture

PUT IN IDLE

GALATIANS 3:17

“What I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.”

A lot of people have no idea how to use a clutch in a vehicle unless they have driven a manual transmission car or truck. Pushing that clutch down takes the vehicle out of the gear it is in and allows the driver to shift to a higher or lower gear. It is also pushed when you want to come to a stop so that the engine does not stop. Putting a vehicle in idle essentially makes it powerless while that clutch is depressed.

Okay, enough about auto mechanics, lol. The reason I used that example is because of the word “nullify” in today’s verse. It is the Greek word katargeo. It means to make completely inoperative or “to put out of use,” according to TDNT. Paul is telling the Galatians that the Mosaic Law which came 430 years after God’s promise to Abraham does not throw that promise into idle. It does not make that promise powerless. Those promises are still in effect.

APPLICATION

How does this apply to us? As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, The Seed, we are still tied to those promises made to Abraham which came to fruition through Jesus. Just what were those promises? In Genesis 12:1-3 we read, “1 Now the LORD said to Abram,

‘Go from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’”

So, how does this promise apply to us? It was through the line of Abraham that Jesus came. Just go to Matthew 1:1-17 and read the genealogy of Jesus. It culminates with this statement in verse 17. “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.”

That’s why God’s promises to Abraham are not thrown into idle by the Mosaic Law. His promises were kept to Abraham through the birth and eventual death of the Messiah. Because of Jesus all the nations of the world have been blessed with the offer of salvation. Have you claimed that promise for yourself? Have you offered that to anyone else?

O Lord, nothing can render You powerless, nor any of Your promises.

Standard
Abiding, Belief, Bible, Eternity, Following, God's Will, Scripture, Surrender

THE SEED

GALATIANS 3:16

“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is, Christ.”

I have mentioned several times in my blogs that I grew up in a small, South Georgia town. It was surrounded by farms, big and small, that grew all sorts of crops. But one thing you could almost always depend on – those farms would have their own garden to grow vegetables for their tables. Those vegetables (at least most of them) were grown from seeds. Each vegetable required their specific seed. If you plant okra seeds, you get okra. If you plant corn, you get corn. Very specific!

Why am I giving you a farming lesson? I want you to understand what Paul is saying. There was one specific seed of Abraham that led to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. There were not and still isn’t many seeds. There is just one seed. There is only one way to receive the promises God has given through Abraham’s seed. That seed is Jesus. You have to plant that “Jesus seed” in your heart as you accept Him as your Lord and Savior.

APPLICATION

John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.’” Jesus won’t accept a divided heart. You can’t have one foot in the world and another in Christ. The two just don’t go together. If you want to grow rich in Christ, you have to invest your whole self in Him.

A couple of chapters earlier, Jesus gives us this in John 12:24-26. “‘24Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.’”

Follow the One Seed. Follow Jesus. Give up your life to follow Him. There is nothing in this world that is worth dying for except Jesus. And as you die to this world and plant that One Seed deep within you, you will see a harvest of thirty, sixty and one-hundred fold. Plant the right seed, the only Seed.

O Lord, I know Your promises are real and will produce in me what You want, if I die to myself and live in You. 

Standard
Abiding, Bible, Covenant, Eternity, Faithfulness, God's Will, Redemption, Scripture

COVENANT KEEPER

GALATIANS 3:15

“Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.”

Have you ever made a comparison between two things that were kind of the same but not? I have. Some things just don’t have anything else to compare them to. They are so far beyond our finite minds it’s hard to find the words. I have heard all sorts of comparisons to the Trinity but none of them come close.

Paul attempts a similar comparison in today’s verse. A covenant between two people is similar to God’s covenant with us in that they are both covenants. But man’s covenant is finite. It ends. It does carry weight, but nothing like God’s eternal covenant He has made with us. It never ends. We are forever tied to Him through the shed blood of the covenant.

APPLICATION

Don’t you just love Deuteronomy 7:9? It says, “‘Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.’” God loves His children. He wants to keep us close, just as He longed for the people of Israel when Moses shared these words.

We have another beautiful example of God’s covenant in the sky after each rainstorm. Genesis 9:13 tells us, “‘I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.’” This sign of the covenant has been nabbed by some people to symbolize something that God does not ordain. Don’t let them fool you. God’s covenant sign never covers sin.

And, of course, we have the ultimate covenant I alluded to earlier. In Luke 22:20 Jesus says, “‘In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.”’” This covenant was cut with us at great price, the life of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. Do not take this covenant lightly. Remain close to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

I am so thankful Your covenant with me is everlasting. It never expires and I cannot break it. You have sealed it.

Standard
Belief, Bible, Holy Spirit, Indwelling, Promises, Scripture

THE PROMISE

GALATIANS 3:14

“in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

As a man of God, one who loves and strives to follow Jesus, I want to keep my promises. That means even the little ones. But I have some big ones to keep also. I promise to love my wife and honor and cherish her. I promise to love my family (children, in-laws, grandchildren, siblings, etc). I especially promise to love my Savior and give Him thanks every day for my salvation.

But what does that word “promise” really mean? In today’s verse, Paul uses that word to talk about the promise of the Spirit to all who believe. The Greek word for “promise is epaggelia. It comes from two Greek words – epi (appropriately on) and aggello (announcement) = to announce what is fitting. God is announcing that it is fitting for us to receive the Spirit when we place our trust in Jesus. Hallelujah!

APPLICATION

It is important to see how Paul structured this sentence. Let me get technical for a second. Grammatically speaking, the “promise of the Spirit” is connected to “through faith.” It is not tied to “the blessing of Abraham.” That is important. Paul is continuing his explanation to the Gentile believers that all they need for salvation is Jesus, not the Mosaic law. And they received the Spirit through their faith in Jesus, not in keeping the Law.

How does this apply to us? Oh, dear friends, we too have that promise of the indwelling Spirit of God at salvation. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” And look at Romans 8:11. “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

Listen, believer, God lives in you through the indwelling of the Spirit. The only way you receive His Spirit is through receiving His Son, Jesus, as your Lord and Savior. No act of man can give you the Spirit. Faith is the door through which the Spirit enters. He will never leave you and will accompany you to glory one day. I have a dear friend who stepped into his heavenly reward this week. He now knows what full indwelling really is. One day…

O Lord, the promise of Your Spirit sounds too good to be true, but I know it’s true because He dwells in me.

Standard