Category Archives: Law

Admonished, Battles, Bible, Circumcision, Enemies, Grace, Law, Obedience, Scripture

NO EASY WAY TO SAY THIS

GALATIANS 5:12

“I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves.”

There are times when we are dealing with difficult people that we wish they could see themselves as we see them. We wish they could feel the hurt they are inflicting on us or others. I am not saying that is a right or godly thought. I am just speaking the truth. Most of us have felt that way before. If they could just get a dose of their own medicine. Am I right?

Well, I can’t say that I can read the mind of Paul, but it almost seems he is feeling this way in today’s verse towards those people who were trying to put the Galatians back under the law, especially the law of circumcision. Scholars debate the meaning of this verse widely. Some say it says just what you think it says, that Paul wishes those people would castrate themselves. In other words, that they would go beyond circumcision and mutilate themselves. Other scholars say the Greek words here imply that he wishes they would separate themselves from the church and go their own way. Whatever Paul meant, he wanted these Judaizers out of the life of these Galatians because they were causing trouble.

APPLICATION

Okay Carl, let’s see you apply this verse to our life. Thanks for the challenge, lol. In Book 4 of the Every Man A Warrior curriculum, we deal with Purity. In fact, book 4 is entitled Every Man A Pure Warrior. One of the skills we practice in that book is amputation. Yep, amputation. We teach men to cut off those things in their life that are leading them in an impure lifestyle. That may include cutting people out of your life who lead you astray. I like what Paul says in Philippians 3:2, “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;” Even in Philippi Paul was dealing with these people who wanted to put others up under this false teaching.

Anyone who wants to put you under the law needs to be held at arm’s length. Do not let them influence you in your spiritual journey. Remember, Paul has been preaching freedom through this entire letter to the Galatians. Don’t think those people only lived back then. We have people just like that today who are members of our churches. They have their own list of do’s and don’ts for you to adhere to.

So, what do you do? How do you live in such an environment. You saturate yourself with the Word of God. You let it direct you. All we need is Jesus. He gives us everything we need. You need not add one thing to what He requires – acceptance of His grace. Amen? Now go live free!

Lord, forgive me when I put things on myself that I think make me more spiritual. All I need is You.  

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Belief, Bible, Bread, Corruption, Law, Leaven, Scripture, Sin

A LITTLE LEAVEN

GALATIANS 5:9

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.”

Anyone who has been around baking knows the effects of leaven. Leaven “is a broad term that encompasses any agent used to make dough rise or create a similar effect on baked goods.” It doesn’t take much to get the action started. And it takes a little time to see the effects. That’s why bread is rolled, kneaded and then usually put in a pan, covered and set aside for the leaven to work.

Paul, using this well well-known proverb, is warning the Galatians that it doesn’t take much to corrupt. Being a former Pharisee, Paul knew the laws about leaven. He had probably instructed people on how to rid their homes of leaven during the season of Passover. Every little speck of leaven had to be removed to cleanse the home. In the same way, every little thing that diverted them from living the grace life had the ability to grow and become a bigger obstacle.

APPLICATION

In 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, Paul writes, “6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let’s celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Can you see the symbolism in that passage? This is what Paul is talking about in Galatians 5:9.

Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 16:5-12 something about this. He warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees. Verse 5-6 read, “5 And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” In verse 12 we see His meaning. “Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

You see, anything that takes our eyes off of loving and serving Jesus can be considered leaven, a force to corrupt. We do not need any rule or law to be secure in Christ. We just have to place our trust in Him and Him alone. If anyone tries to add anything to this, it is leaven. And a little leaven will corrupt the whole loaf. Don’t forget that.

Father, help me to keep the leaven of life out of my spiritual journey.

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Abiding, Bible, Choices, Comfort, Commands, Decisions, Following, Grace, Law, Scripture

CASTING OUT

GALATIANS 4:30

“But what does the Scripture say? ‘DRIVE OUT THE SLAVE WOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE SLAVE WOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.’”

In our recent move from Chattanooga to Knoxville, my wife and I did some “casting out.” We got rid of furniture that would not fit in our new home. We got rid of clothes that we had not worn or did not fit anymore (I will not say why, lol). And we cast out household stuff that we just did not have room for anymore. All these things didn’t  make the cut, so to speak. Downsizing meant things had to go.

Paul quotes Genesis 21:10 in today’s verse. I mentioned 21:9 yesterday in my blog. Paul continues the story of Ishmael and Isaac (Hagar and Sarah) and uses this story to point out why the old law could not coexist with the grace of Christ. There was no room for the old way in their new faith. It just did not fit. Paul was not rejecting the Jewish people. He was rejecting what those Jewish believers were trying to insert into their faith in Christ.

APPLICATION

Before you get all self-righteous and say, I would never do that, you might better check out your way of living in Jesus. Do you demand people do certain things? Do you put your church’s traditions above doing what the Word says? What does God require of us? We are told that in Micah 6:8, “He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” We don’t need a bunch of rules and regulations to tell us to do that.

I noticed a bottle the other day on my desk. Can you make out the name on it? It says “Purity.” It’s a brand of eyeglass cleaner my eye doctor gives to her patients. Don’t you wish we had a spiritual eyeglass cleaner so we could see more clearly. Oh wait, we do! He’s called the Holy Spirit. If we will just listen to Him, He will tell us what to keep and what to cast out, how to live pure lives.

As you go through your spiritual closet, look for those things that just don’t fit God’s Word. Look for the old, worn out excuses you have hanging up that you continue to put on every day. Throw out those things that hold you back from living the victorious Christian life. You will be all the better for it, He promises.

O Lord, I want to have only what will draw me closer to You.

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Bible, Different, Freedom, Law, Scripture

NOT LIKE THE OTHER

GALATIANS 4:25

“Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is enslaved with her children.”

When my children were small, they loved to watch Sesame Street. One of the little jingles they played along with a teaching moment was “One of these things is not like the other, One of these things is not the same…” I can still hear that tune in my head. It helped the kids recognize like images or pictures and to notice differences. A simple but needed skill.

Unlike Sesame Street, Paul is not pointing out differences in today’s verse. In fact, he is doing just the opposite. He is telling us Hagar represents Mount Sinai (the place the law was given to Moses by God) and that “corresponds to the present Jerusalem.” The Greek word for “corresponds” only occurs here and means to file in rank with, to march together. In other words, they were in lockstep, inseparable.

APPLICATION

In Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, he says this about the name “Hagar.” “…the Arabians according to Paul (who had formerly dwelt among them, Galatians 1:17) called the rocky Mount Sinai by a name similar in sound to הגר ( i.e. rock)…” Here’s a little math formula for you: Hagar = rock = Mount Sinai = Jerusalem = the Law = slavery. That is essentially what Paul is saying here and in Galatians 4:21-31.

We don’t want to be like that, do we? Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the Law but under grace.” I love what the author of Hebrews (whom I personally believe was either Paul or Barnabas) says in Hebrews 10:1. “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the form of those things itself, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, make those who approach perfect.”

Praise be to God! We are not like Hagar or like Mount Sinai or like Jerusalem or like the Law. One of these things is not like the other – that’s us in Christ. We are no longer bound to the things of the law. We are no longer required to keep all those rules and offer meaningless sacrifices. We are free in Jesus.

Lord, thank You for making me different than others and declaring me free in Jesus. 

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Allegory, Bible, Chains, Devil, Encouragement, Freedom, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Law, Scripture, Slaves

ALLEGORY PART 1 – HAGAR

GALATIANS 4:24

“This is speaking allegorically, for these women are two covenants: one coming from Mount Sinai giving birth to children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.”

I have to admit that I am not a grammatical genius. If you have read many of my blogs, you have probably already figured that out. Right? So, I looked up the definition of allegory. “It is a figurative sentence or discourse, in which the principal object is described by another subject resembling it in its properties and circumstances.” – Webster. Thank you, Mr. Webster! I am sure we all understand it now.

Paul tells us plainly that he is going to be speaking “allegorically.” This Greek word is only used one time in the New Testament. It literally means to speak publicly something other than. Paul is going to be comparing the story of Hagar and Sarah, Ishmael and Isaac to our slavery to sin and our freedom in Christ. This allegory is not to imply in any way that the Old Testament story is not true. You can use an historical truth allegorically to make a point, which is what Paul has done here.

APPLICATION

Now that I have bored you to tears with the English lesson on allegories, how do we use today’s verse in our lives? Well, let’s focus on the topic of this first part of the allegory – Hagar. Who was she? She was a servant girl of Sarah’s. But she was more than a servant. She had been given to Abraham by Sarah to try to conceive a child which would satisfy God’s promise to give then a child. God never instructed them to do this. They just decided to “help God along.”

This first part of the allegory isn’t very encouraging. Hagar and Ishmael represent slavery to sin. Even after Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, she was still a servant. Nothing had changed. You and I are slaves to sin until we come to Jesus. We have no power to resist. We have no way to escape the devil’s schemes. There is no hope. We can’t “perform” our way out of sin. We have to have the chains broken.

Praise be to God we have a “chain-breaker.” He is Jesus, the Righteous One. He is the One to whom we run for freedom. Paul is so aware of this. He now sees how bound to sin he was while he was under the law, which is also represented by Hagar. Paul wants these Galatians to be free in Christ, not bound to the law. In the same way, God wants us to be free in Jesus. Are you free today?

Lord, I am thankful You gifted men like Paul to write under the inspiration of the Spirit to give us these truths.

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Bible, Freedom, Law, Scripture

METICULOUS

GALATIANS 4:10

“You meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years.” 

Well, there’s a word you don’t use every day – meticulous. What exactly does it mean. In the English, it means “showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.” That sounds good. My wife can be a very meticulous housekeeper. She wants everything in its place. Honestly, most days I feel like I am living in a magazine cover. I love that about her – her attention to details to make sure our home looks beautiful.

But in Paul’s use of the Greek word translated as meticulous, it is not a very positive thing. In fact, the Greek word Paul uses here is only used five other times. And all those times it is used in a negative context. Four times it is used of the Pharisees watching closely to catch Jesus “abusing” the Sabbath. Once it is used of Paul’s enemies watching the gate to catch Paul. And then here in Galatians Paul says they are trying in vain to keep all these days, months, seasons and years.

APPLICATION

Are you being meticulous about the wrong things? It is a good thing to have your daily Quiet Time. But are you doing it out of habit? Just reading the Bible and praying can become such a routine that you stop getting anything from it. Jesus said this about the Pharisees in Matthew 23:5, “‘And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.’”

He also goes on in that same chapter to speak eight woes against the Pharisees. Take a few minutes and read Matthew 23:13-33. But here is just one of those woes which speaks to the meticulousness. Verses 23-24 read, “‘23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!’”

Don’t be a Pharisee! Don’t be so concerned about the details that you don’t see the fuller picture. God loves you and wants you to enjoy your life in Christ. His Word tells us commandments are not burdensome. Live holy but not legalistic. Celebrate who you are in Christ.

Thank You, Lord, for freeing me from the details and allowing me to be free in Jesus.   

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Bible, Children, Freedom, Guardian, Law, Obedience, Redemption, Scripture

GUARDIANS AND MANAGERS

GALATIANS 4:2

“but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.”

Have you ever seen the movie, Mary Poppins? It’s a story about a governess who is hired to care for and teach the children of a family. Julie Andrews plays the key role and does a magical job with the children. Her duties embodied the same duties discussed in today’s verse. However, back in Paul’s day there wasn’t as much magic used, lol.

Continuing the theme from yesterday, Paul explains how the minor child could not do as they pleased with their father’s estate. Normally a slave who was trustworthy would have been put in charge of the children for instruction. These same individuals may have often handled the family assets, thus controlling the disbursement of funds. This would probably have continued if the master of the home had passed until the minor child reached the age set by his father.

APPLICATION

The Law served as our guardian, dictating what we could and couldn’t do. There were strict rules to follow – what to eat, what to wear, etc. These can be found in the Old Testament books of Leviticus and Numbers, as well as other books. For the sake of time, we won’t read all of that. But let me encourage you to take the time, if you haven’t read these books, to dig into them. They are also part of God’s Word and should be read.

However, all those laws have been fulfilled through the atoning death of our Savior. He tells us in Matthew 5:17-18, “17 ‘Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished!’”

Romans 10:4 says, “For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” That’s the “age set by the father” to be released from the guardianship of the Law. When we accept Jesus, at whatever age that is, we are freed from the requirements of the Law. For me, that was at age 16. I am now an heir of the father’s estate and have full access to all He offers. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

O Father, You are far too good to me. May I bring Your honor and praise each day.

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Bible, Freedom, Grace, Law, Scripture

FREE AT LAST

GALATIANS 3:25

“But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”

As I grew up in Southwest Georgia, I was under the direct care and supervision of Jack and Mack Willis. Yep, those were their names. Jack was a nickname for James and Mack was short for Maxine. As their son, I was expected to obey their rules. I didn’t always like their rules (why couldn’t I have cookies for breakfast?) and didn’t always follow them. I knew they meant good by all the rules, but because they were rules, they were meant to be broken, right? At least I thought so.

I love this short but powerful verse today. It simply says faith trumps law. When the early believers, who were used to following the rules of the Law, came to Christ, they were set free. No more restrictions on food. No more rules about what they could and couldn’t do on the Sabbath. They were free because Jesus had satisfied the Law. Paul had felt that himself and wanted everyone who struggled under the heavy weight of the Law to be set free.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you a question. What is it you feel compelled to do in your effort to please God? Name one thing. Did you know the only thing the Lord requires of you is repentance and acceptance of His free gift? Romans 6:23 says so. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Now, who doesn’t want a free gift?

Stop struggling to try to “do” for Jesus. Just “be.” Be like Him. Be holy as He is holy. Be free to live a life that honors Him. Just be. As a Baptist I can tell you that I tried for years to do things. I felt compelled to grab that celestial golden ring. It can’t be done. When I learned to rest in Him, I started living for Him. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Now, do I do certain things as a believer? Yes, I have my daily Quiet Time. I read the Word. I pray. I give to the Body of Christ. But now I do those things out of love, not out of obligation. There is nothing I can do to gain my salvation. And now that I have it, there is nothing I can do to lose it. I am free at last. Are you?

Our freedom in Christ, O God, gives us the ability to live for You. Thank You.

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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.

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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…

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