6of6 Positives From The Book Of Galatians

~ You Are God’s Child – So Live Like It! ~

 

Series Introduction  ~  There are six chapters in the Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia.  In this series we look at one of the positive statements directed to believers from each of the chapters. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

 

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:6-10).

 

A Testimony  ~  The Apostle Paul wrote in this same Book of Galatians: “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin?  Certainly not!  For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” (Galatians 2:17-21).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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6 Positives From The Book Of Galatians, 5

~ Live Up To Your New Status In Christ ~

 

Series Introduction  ~  There are six chapters in the Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia.  In this series we look at one of the positive statements directed to believers from each of the chapters. 

 

Scripture  ~  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25). 

 

Comment  ~  If you are not growing in these traits then I would suggest you need to spend more time reading and meditating on the Word of God, more time in honest prayer before God, and being involved in a God-honoring local church that preaches the Word of God.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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6 Positives From The Book Of Galatians, 4

 ~ No Longer A Slave To Sin – Now An Heir Of God ~

 

Series Introduction  ~  There are six chapters in the Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia.  In this series we look at one of the positive statements directed to believers from each of the chapters. 

 

Scripture  ~  “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

 

“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:4-7).

 

Comment  ~  The reality of our world is that many did not have good loving Fathers which makes it difficult to relate to the term “Heavenly Father.”  Satan will use that in your thinking – resolve not to allow him to!

 

Think of the richest man on earth and what it would be like to be a part of his family.  Then realize that God is immensely richer and He is your Father.  He owns all of creation by the nature of being the Creator.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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6 Positives From The Book Of Galatians, 3

 ~ There Is Racial, Ethnic, & Social Harmony In Christ ~

 

Series Introduction  ~  There are six chapters in the Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia.  In this series we look at one of the positive statements directed to believers from each of the chapters. 

 

Scripture  ~  “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29). 

 

Quotes  ~  “All racism is sin.”  “God… hath made of one blood all nations”  “There is only one race, the human race.”

 

“Black lives, white lives, trans lives, native American lives, Hispanic lives…  Which life is really more important to those who believe in God?  Your spiritual life!”

 

“The problem is Sin, not Skin.  The answer is Grace, not Race.  Jesus died for all.  Our nation needs Jesus!”

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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6 Positives From The Book Of Galatians, 2

 ~ Your Past Has Been Forgiven So Live For The Future ~

 

Series Introduction  ~  There are six chapters in the Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia.  In this series we look at one of the positive statements directed to believers from each of the chapters. 

 

Scripture  ~  “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin?  Certainly not!  For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” (Galatians 2:17-21).

Quotes  ~  “Satan knows, if he can contaminate your present with your past, it will forgo your future fruitfulness.” 

“If what’s ahead scares you and what’s behind hurts you, then look up.” 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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6 Positives From The Book Of Galatians, 1

~ Seek God’s Approval Rather than Man’s ~

 

Series Introduction  ~  There are six chapters in the Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia.  In this series we look at one of the positive statements directed to believers from each of the chapters. 

 

Scripture  ~  “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

 

“For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men?  For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-10).

 

Additional Scripture  ~  “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25).

 

“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that” (Proverb 29:25 msg).

 

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Christ in Galatians

~ Jesus Christ Is Our Great Liberator and Our Redeemer ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

Jesus Christ in the Book of Galatians  ~  Jesus Christ is the great Liberator from the Law of Moses.  He is the Redeemer, the Seed of Abraham, who has given us freedom from the curse of sin. 

As we have observed in this series the Old Testament (not just the Pentateuch) points forward to Jesus Christ.  The entire Bible is about Jesus Christ!  Now in Galatians we have such clear statements that we are no longer held captive by the Mosaic Law because Jesus Christ has loosened those chains through His death, His Burial, and most importantly His resurrection.  The Law now served as a guide, a learning tool, a tutor, leading us to Jesus Christ.  With this new freedom we have become servants of Jesus Christ and are charged with fulfilling “the Law of Christ.”  Paul states it this way, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in the book of Galatians.  The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

Compare the Following Passages  ~  “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself:  I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18).  “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:14). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

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~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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Fallen From Grace

~ It’s NOT About Your Salvation! ~

The Scripture  ~  “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.  Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.  And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.  You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Galatians 5:1-6). 

The Interpretation Error  ~  There are some who teach that the phrase “fallen from grace” is a way of saying that a person has lost their salvation! 

The Question  ~  What do these teachers not understand about the term “eternal life”?

The Correct Understanding  ~  The book of Galatians was written to Christians, that is clear in the opening sentence of the quoted Scripture above.  Christians by nature have received eternal life.  Paul was addressing a common problem in the church of Galatia which is also a common problem in our day—to not live our lives in grace but rather choosing to live by the Law.  Living by the Law is an impossible task!  Paul says to live in this way is to cause your salvation in Jesus Christ to have no effect on you (Galatians 4:17).  In other words, what Christ has done for you must not mean anything to you! 

Additional proof that Paul is writing to believers is found throughout this epistle.  A few examples include:  [1] Paul refers to his readers as “brethren” nine times in this short epistle, [2] he calls his readers “children of God” (3:26), [3] “sons of God” (4:6), and [4] “heirs of the promise” (3:29). 

Conclusion  ~  “Falling from grace” has absolutely nothing to do with our eternal salvation! 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .