November 25, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Galatians 4 - Paul makes clear that God sent His Son at just the right time to redeem the Jews who were under the Law.  Now they are sons of God, verse 4, a far better relationship with God than being a slave.  And now that they are sons, Paul asks them why they go back to observing rules and regulations, verses 9-11!  He even asks them if they think of him as an enemy because he tells them the truth, verse 16.  Paul then uses the incident of Abraham "casting out the bondwoman and her son" verse 30, as illustration of how believers should see themselves as free from bondage.

Galatians 5 - Paul immediately encourages believers to enjoy the freedom they have in Christ and not subject themselves to bondage, verse 1.  He also emphasizes that our freedom is not a license to do what we want, but it is the joy of letting the Spirit of God help us to do what we should, verses 13- 16.  Paul contrasts the deeds of a self-centered life with the fruit of the Spirit, verses 17-23.

Galatians 6 - If a believer sins and falls other believers are to seek to restore the fallen believer with the spirit of meekness and fear, verse 1.  Believers are to help others with their heavy loads, verse 2, but carry also carry their own burdens, verse 5.  Paul warns the believer about consequences to their actions, verses 6,7.  I like to say that "whatever goes down [gets planted] must come up [harvest]!"  Paul emphasizes the need for the cross of Christ, verse 14, as the way Christ delivered the believer from the power of sin.