Fruit Pickin'

Galatians 5-Part 3
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25


LET IT GLOW

Paul described the kind of person that lapses into uncontrolled indulgences of the flesh discussed in our last lesson. Now he presents the Christian alternative. Since we made it through the tough meat of the Word,  let's get some sweets.

In the book of Galatians from Shepherd's Notes, we find:

Paul uses several distinct verbs to illustrate the Spirit-controlled life of the believer, all of which are roughly equivalent in meaning. He urges believers to:

1. Be led by the Spirit (verse 18).
2. Live by the Spirit (verse 25a).
3. Keep in step with the Spirit (verse 25b).

Each of these verbs suggests a relationship of dynamic, interaction, direction, and purpose. The Spirit in the life of the believer means the presence and power of God in the believer's life.


In regard to verse 24, David Guzik said,"We are to constantly 'nail it to the cross,' so it hangs there, alive yet powerless over us. Although the flesh is still alive it cannot very well act upon its desires because it is bound and nailed to the cross. If we are one of those who are Christ's, then we belong to Him-not to this world, not to ourself, not to our passions and desires. The Spirit has given you life. Now let Him direct your steps. Isn't that the least we can do?"

Yes, Lord, lead me and direct my steps.


LET IT GROW

As a child, I helped  Mom  pick fruit. We either had the trees on our farm, or we went to an orchard. We picked cherries, pears, peaches, apples, and strawberries. All the fruit, except the strawberries, grew on its own tree. Even though  these are very different and distinct fruit of its own kind, they are all labeled as fruit, not vegetables. (When we got enough picked, in the kitchen we would wash, peel, and slice the fruit. Then she would either freeze or can them.) so it is with the fruit of the Spirit. They are different, but all produced by the Holy Spirit within us. (Guess we can't be picky fruit pickers, can we?)

All believers have all the fruit qualities available to them, not just one person having this one and another person having that one. That's because they are produced by the same Spirit. And we don't pick and choose those we like.

"Fruit is singular in verse 22. There are not 9 fruits, but one fruit composed of 9 elements. The first three are in relation to God; the next three are in relation to man; and the last three are in relation to one's own inner life," said J. Falwell in Liberty Bible Commentary.

Shall we get pickin' ?
1. Love: This is agape love, God's kind of love. "It chooses to love the undeserving and people you don't
               like. It's beyond natural affection, or the loyalty to blood or family. It isn't eros, a romantic love; it
               isn't philia, a love for a friend; it isn't storge, family love," stated William Barclay.
               I Cor. 13 tells us that God's love is patient, kind, bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things.
               This is a self-denying, self-sacrificing, Christlike love which is the foundation of all other graces
               (fruit).
2. Joy: The Greek word is chara. It means rejoicing, gladness, enjoyment, bliss. Joy is the result of realizing
             our names are written in heaven, when we find salvation; we discover the person, power, and plan
             of God in our circumstances; the result of our fellowship with God in Christ is restored whenever
             broken; it's produced when we remain in Christ.
             It's a deep abiding, inner rejoicing in the Lord.
3. Peace: Eirene is the Greek word, which means peace of mind, tranquility. Jesus is our Prince of Peace.
                It belongs to Christ and is only His to give. He had perfect peace in aloneness, provision, the
                storm, the wait, the tears, God's plan, and His death. The world can't take it away from us.
4. Longsuffering: It is patient endurance and steadfastness under provocation; forbearance under ill-will,
                             with no thought of retaliation.
                             Two Greek words translate into patience-hupomone, which means to bear up under
                             circumstances or things; makrothumia, which means putting up with people, merciful.
5. Gentleness: Graciousness, kindly disposition.
                         The Greek word is chrestotes, which means tender concern for others.
6. Goodness: Ready to do good, love in action.
                       Agathosune is the Greek word, which means benevolent and active goodness; gentleness,
                       kindness, a mellowing of character. Its purpose is to do or bring that which is most beneficial,
                       whether or not it is that which is most popular; going for the good. It is character energized,
                       expressing itself in active good.
7. Faith: Faithfulness to both God and people. It is fidelity which makes one true to his promise and faithful
               to his task.
              The Greek word for faithfulness is pistis, which means firm persuation, conviction, belief in the
               truth, veracity. It carries the idea of giving someone credit. Faithfulness is believing the reality of a
               sovereign God. He can be trusted.
8.  Meekness: Not weekness, but controlled strength. This word conveys the idea of a listening ear to hear
                         what God has to say. It is submission to God and unselfishness to our fellowmen.
                         Praotes is translated goodness; it is seen in submission, humility, and teachability.
                         In 2 Cor. 12:10 Paul said, "When I am weak, then I am strong."
                         This character trait denotes a life surrendered to real power. Only a gentle giant can stand
                         before Pilate with no need to defend Himself. Jesus both pictures and epitomizes the gentle
                         giant.
9. Temperance: Self-control; Rational restraint of the natural impulses.
                           The Greek word for self-control is egkrateia, which means continence, temperance, self-
                           control. It means restraining passions and appetites. Don't we all need to control ourself
                           when it comes to money, position, and possessions.
                           I suppose that means controlling what enters and exits my mouth.
[References: Liberty Bible Commentary, Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore]

These nine qualities are a beautiful description of Jesus Christ. To have the fruit of the Spirit is to be like Christ. God develops fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the exact opposite quality! If He wants to develop peace within us, He allows times of chaos and confusion. (Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life)

There we have it. Be ready for some trials, friend, so we can put these character qualities into practice. I have found that when I learn something, I'm often tested on it. We are successful only as we surrender to Jesus for our source of them.
I want to be real fruit, not fake fruit.

LET IT GO

Be led by, live by, and keep in step with the Holy Spirit.

Allow Him to exhibit fruit of the Spirit in my life.


             

Bear, Care, and Share

Galatians 6
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.   Galatians 6:2


LET IT GLOW

One time my son and I dug up a small area in the back yard and planted a little garden. We put three seeds of corn on a hill of dirt, as I had heard that was the proper way. We did this in several rows, since corn was our family's favorite vegetable. Sure enough, plants grew from the seeds planted. Then they matured and produced ears of corn on the stalks. We reaped more than what we planted-one seed yielded an abundance of  kernels. Paul says our life is like that. Read on, friend.

In verses 7-9, Paul states,"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Paul tells us whatever we sow with our life, we are going to reap. If we sow love, we will reap love. If we sow hatefulness, we will reap hatefulness. (Sometimes we get what we didn't sow because of someones else's harvest.) If we sow to the flesh, guess what, we will reap corruption. If we sow to the Spirit, guess what, we will reap life everlasting. In 2 Corinthians 9:6, he talks about how we sow-sparingly or bountifully.

Well, I need to patience to wait for the harvest. Sometimes it doesn't come immediately after we sow the seeds. Also, work is hard and painful. Just as a woman in labor endures the pain, she enjoys a sweet baby afterwards. So we may reap from our good works while living here or we may not reap from them until we get to heaven. Either case, hang on dear one. Don't faint. Don't quit doing good in this old world. Keep sowing love.

As verse 10 tells us, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." I should be looking for ways in which I can do good things to others.
Mom used to say, "What goes around, comes around." It was the same principle that God has established here on earth for us-sow and reap. I for one, need to watch what I'm sowing  in order that my harvest will be good and not bad.


LET IT GROW

Now, let's go back to verse 2, our key verse. I found some interesting information on this verse.

In his book, The Epistles, Galatians, J. Vernon McGee had this to say:

Eleven different words are translated by our one English word burden. This means thare are different kinds of burdens. Paul divides burdens into two classes: those we can share, and those we must bear and cannot share. In verse 2, you could translate it like this: "The burdens of each other, keep bearing." The Greek word for burden is baros, meaning "something heavy." Someone has said that a load is only half a load when two are carrying it.

Burden , baros, also means "fault."  "If a man is overtaken in a fault" That's his burden. You could help him bear it. We all have faults, and that's a burden. Many times we fall down, and many times we see a brother fall down. "Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one."

 It also means infirmity, a weakness, an ignorance, a pressure, a tension a grief. We can share tensions. Tranquilizers won't solve our problems. I don't know about you, but I live in "Tension Town." Many of us are under pressure and tension today. This is certainly a burden we need to bear with one another.
the third burden you and I can share is known as grief. The burden of tragedy, sorow, disappointment is inevitable in the human family. If it hasn't come to you, it will come. Job's three friends spent seven days sitting with Job and sorrowing with him. Grief is a burden you can share.

The word burden, in verse 5, is the Greek phortion, meaning "a load to be borne."It is used to speak of a child in the womb-only a mother could bear it. J.B. Phillips paraphrased it,"For every man must 'shoulder his own pack.'" There are certain burdens you will have to face alone. You will get sick, and no one can take your place. Suffering and mental anguish are things we cannot share. Another burden we cannot share with anyone is death. There will come a time when each of us will go down through the valley of the shadow of death, and we will go alone.

Another Greek word for burden is Bema, which is the judgment seat of Christ. Christians will appear before Christ, as in 2 Cor.5:10. Everything that we have done in the flesh as a Christian is to be judged to see whether or not we receive a reward. Salvation is not in question-that was settled for the believer at the cross of Christ. (Rom.14:12 says we will give an account of ourself to God.)

Last, is the burden of sin, which Paul speaks of in the first part of Romans and David speaks of in Ps. 38:4.
Sin is a burden you cannot share with anyone else. And sin is a burden you cannot bear, my friend. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said,"Come unto mee, all ye that lavour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He can lift the havey buraden of sin today, and it is because He paid the penalty for it. He alone can lift it; He alone can take it from you.

What do you do with your burdens? There are some burdens you can share, others that you must bear alone. Your personal sin is a burden too heavy for you; it is either on you or it is on Christ. And Christ does not share it-He bore it all.

So what keeps us from bearing one anothers burdens and fulfilling the law of Christ? Pride, which is when anyone thinks himself to be something, when he's nothing. Pride is self-focus. (David Guzik)


LET IT GO

Sow good things not bad.

Remember that I will reap what I have sown.

Care about others and help them bear their  burdens; lend a helping hand by lifting heavy loads.

Share my own burdens with others so they can help me bear them.

Take my burdens to Jesus, the ones I am bearing alone.

How am I Walking?

  Galatians 5-Part 2   
This I say then, Walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16

LET IT GLOW

I like going for walks on my country road. It refreshes me as I get away from the demands of the world and observe nature. Since I live out in the country, the peace and quiet is wonderful (except for sounds of WalMart truck rolling on the highway 1/2 mile away). Lately, I have watched an eagle perched in the same tree now, 3 or 4 days in a row. He must be finding rodents to eat. He is such a huge, strong bird that soars in the sky. Then I notice the cardinals, briliantly red small birds flying around in the bushes. Every once in a while, there's a quail somewhere saying his "bobwhite". Since the snow, the bluejays come on my porch to eat out of the catfood bowl. Now that's a cocky bird, very demanding. but he's alert, always looking about for anything that can attack him, since he's close to the ground. All these birds depend upon the Lord for their food, which He provides. Guess I wondered off the path a little.
How do I walk along this road? Carefully. There are muddy places, chug holes, rocky spots, ruts. Then there are smooth, easy going places, which are tracks made by traffic. Wait. Life is like that. Especially if I'm living by my flesh and not being led by the Spirit of God. Let's look at verse 16.

"Walk is a common picture of traveling the "road of life" and making progress upon it. How are you progressing in life? Many people have a distinct walk, and can be identified by the way they walk. So, how do you walk? What can others tell by your walk? It should be a walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in you. You are open and sensitive to the influence of the Holy Spirit. You pattern your life after the influence of the Holy Spirit. If someone walks in the Spirit, they look a lot like Jesus. They listen to what the Holy Spirit says as He guides in the path and nature of Jesus," stated David Guzik. 

J. Vernon McGee said in his book, The Epistles, Galatians:

This verse states the great principle of Christian living-walk by means of the Spirit. The word for walk is peripateo, which means just "to walk up and down." This Greek word was used for a school of philosophy in Athens, Greece, in which the founder walked up and  down as he taught. The principle for us is walking in the Spirit. If we do, we will not "fulfill the lust of the flesh."
The word lust  in our usage today has an evil connotation, which the Greek word does not have. Lust of the flesh refers to the desires of the flesh, many of which are not immoral, but are of the flesh (music, art, and works of do-gooders, etc.). There are many things which in themselves are not evil, but they can take the place of spiritual things, such as hobbies, tv, books, movies. If it takes you away from that which is spiritual, then it is wrong.


After we're saved, the flesh wars against the Spirit and the new nature rebels against the old nature. (verse 17) I have a nature that is prone to wonder, to leave the God I love, as the old hymn reminds me. I need help in this area. Today, I want to look at the works of the flesh, tomorrow the fruit of the Spirit.


LET IT GROW

I started to skip over these works of the flesh and go straight to the fruit of the Spirit, but then I definitely need to be reminded of them. They are found in verses 19-21:
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Falwell said in Liberty Bible Commentary,

"Note the plural, works, the complex mixture of evil desires and deeds. The flesh is always active; it never takes a vacation. It is plainly evident to everyone. They are from a heart in rebellion against God and instist upon doing as it will (Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21-22)."

McGee lists them into categories: sensual sins, religious sins, social sins, and personal sins. (I got to get my boots on; these are difficut to walk through.) The meanings are from Falwell.

1. Sensual Sins:

• Adultery-Illicit sexual intercourse between married partners
• Fornication-Illicit sexual intercourse betwee unmarried partners
• Uncleanness-Moral impurity, sexual sins including pornography
• Lasciviousness-Brutality, sadism, which is gratification from causing pain

2. Religious Sins:

• Idolatry-Worship of idols, anthing that takes the place of God, including money
• Witchcraft-Sorcery, magical arats, drugs used in heathen religions
• Hatred-Enmities, personal animosities
• Variances-Strife, rivalry, discord, factions, quarrelsomeness

3. Social Sins:

• Emulations-Jealousies, sedition, constant desire to excel othere people and secure their admiration
• Wrath-Passionate anger, stirring up the emotions of temper resulting in an explosion, hot temper
• Strife-Factions, cliques (little cliques in a church hurt the cause of Christ)
• Seditions-Divisions, splits
• Heresies-Choices based on preferences, sects, parties
• Envyings-Feelings of ill-will
• Murders-Hating in the mind, to kill with premeditated malice

4. Personal Sins:

• Drunkenness-Excessive indulgence in strong drink
• Revellings-Horrible orgies in wild parties

Those people which do such things, whose lives are charactericized by the habit of continually doing such things, prove positively with such a life-style that one has not become a new creature in Christ (2Cor.5:17).
(Falwell)

"The Prodical Son who got down in the pig pen didn't stay there. The only ones that stay in the pig pen are pigs. If a son gets there, he will be very unhappy until he gets out. If you continue to live in sin, you are in a dangerous position. It means you are not a child of God," stated McGee.

Okay, I didn't have trouble with lists 1, 2, and 4, but I found myself  rereading list 3. How about you? Of course, I can justify my sins by saying I don't habitually do them, just every once in a while (jealousy, envy, strife). However, sin is sin, right? Lord have mercy on us.

Friend, tomorrow's lesson is better- The Fruit of the Spirit. Please join me for some spiritual salve on my wounds. The Word cuts; It's sharper than a two-edged sword.

LET IT GO

Evaluate how I am walking, living, in my flesh or in the Spirit.

Recognize my sins that I keep repeating, confess them, and turn to the Holy Spirit for His infilling.


       

Loving Snowbabies

Galatians 5   Part 1
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.   Galatians 5:6


LET IT GLOW

All winter long, my granddaughter kept talking about us making a snowman. (We made a small one last year.) Well the day finally came when I could not put her off no longer. We had snow that was about 4-6 inches deep. Besides that, she was equipped with boots, coat, and hat. (I had gloves.) It was inevitable. So we both got all bundled up, since it was below freezing, and went outside. We encountered a problem right away-dry snow. (For those of you who have never made a snowman, it requires moist snow so it sticks together in a snowball.) I couldn't let my sweetheart down, could I? So I filled up a bucket with water, added it to a bowl of snow, then formed the  snowballs. She was happy as we did this three times, stacking the balls on top of each other. Finally, there was our "snowbaby",  less than a foot tall. I quickly took a picture and was gathering our supplies when-wham. The girl used the snowballs of the snowbaby to hit me. Here I endured the obstacles for at least half an hour to make this little thing, and she took it apart in seconds. I thought that tiny snowbaby, which caused my freezing feet and nose, would survive at least a week in our backyard. Oh well, we had fun and that's why I endured the cold, isn't it?

I thought of this escapade as an example of  "faith which works by love." Addi had faith that I would work it out so we made a snowman, inspite of the cold temperature, wind, dry snow, and inconvenience. (Probably, I was the only one considering the hardships.) And because I love her, the snowbaby was made. (It wasn't all that bad.)

David Guzik had some good things to say about this chapter. He said,"If your faith doesn't work, it isn't real faith. If it doesn't work through love, it isn't real faith. Faith must work through love. A wonderful test of our spiritual state is simply how we treat other people. It isn't measured by how much we pray, how much we know of the Bible, or how many things we don't do. The measure is how we treat our brothers and sisters in Jesus."

I had not really conected faith and love before. But love should be our motivation for doing things.

Verse 13 says "by love serve one another." According to verse 14, we fulfill the law when we "love our neighbor as ourself." How can people can see our faith in Jesus? They see it  when we show love to others.

Here are a couple quotes that David Guzik used:
"Neither can any one love his neighbor as himself, but he that loves God above all," said Trapp.
"The loveless life is a life lived on the level of animals, with a concern only for oneself, no matter what the cost to other people," said Morris.

James said  that faith without works is dead. (James 2:17, 20)  I don't want a dead faith. I want a living faith. One that works because of love for my neighbor and for Jesus.


LET IT GROW

Verse 1 states,"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

We are to keep on standing and not bow our neek to the yoke of slavery, that is, legalism. I am to take a tenacious stand and not be moved from that position. Christ is the great Liberator, definitely, deliberately, and decisively He liberated us. The Galatians escaped the slavery of heathenism, but were in danger of the slavery of Judaism. A yoke is a symbol of slavery. (Falwell)

As I think of it, maybe I have been more of a "legalist" through my years. Does it matter more to me to "do" certain things, such as rituals causing me to  judge others that aren't doing them, than just loving people? This verse tells me that  I am free in Christ, not free to do whatever I want in sin, but free to live righteously by faith (verse 5).
Falwell said, "Grace does not make one free to sin; it makes him free to serve." (verse 14)
Things to think about.


LET IT GO

Let my faith work because of love.

Love God and others.

Stand free in God's grace and serve others.

What Time is It?

Galatians 4
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.  Galatians 4:4-7  (NLT)

LET IT GLOW

How important is "time" to us? I get up around the same time each day, type these lessons,  get on the treadmill in the morning. I have a schedule for particular days. (Although, I enjoy having a flexible schedule now that I am not teaching.)
When I  held down a fulltime job, I definitely had a schedule to follow. Even after leaving for work, I would plan what I would do whenever returning home-supper, laundry, homework with the kids, time with the husband, a quiet time with the Lord, etc.
What time is it? How many times do you look at the clock during the day? We are so time conscience now days. My conclusion is that  time is important to God.

Did you notice the first phrase "when the right time came?" Other versions say it this way,"when the fullness of time was come" (KJV), "date set, time fixed, right time, completion of the time came."
Verse 2 in KJV uses the phrase "until the time appointed of the faither." Also, "right time" and "proper time" are used.

People have said that time is not significant in heaven. I beg to differ. God has everything planned out that will happen and those that did happen, such as when Jesus was born on earth and His returning. It happened and will happen at  a specific time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die."

Where does the time go? It seems to march faster each year. Am I accomplishing what God has planned for my life within the time He has alotted me here? What does He want me to do today, tomorrow, this week, next week, etc.?


LET IT GROW

The first six verses in this chapter talk about a child being the heir, but under age to be in charge. The child, a minor, has tutors and guardians to guide him until that time. It was the Roman custom for the son to become a man at age 25. In the Jewish and Greek culture, 13 was the age. The time is set by the father when the son can become the heir and then master of his father's estate.

So it was for us. In the fullness of time, when the time of the Law was fulfilled, Christ was revealed. He submitted Himself under the Law to redeem us who were under the Law. The Law was guardian over us while we were still children. Then salvation in Jesus came. We are considered God's sons and daughters, adopted into God's family because Jesus redeemed us. We are His very own children. (My emphasis)

Now that we are God's child, we can cry "Abba, Father" when we need help from God. (verse 6)
Abba is Aramaic for father. Somehow, it doesn't seem respectful enough for me to call God "Daddy" instead of "Heavenly Father."
There were times when we asked our earthly father for help and he gave it. So will our heavenly Father when we ask Him.
Do I ask for His help, or do I try to work things out by myself? Yep, guilty. Do I tend to only cry out when in a "desperate" situation? Oooh.


LET IT GO

Lord help me to use my time wisely for Your purpose.

Thank You, Abba, Father that You hear my cries unto You.

Redeemed

Galatians 3
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  Galatians 3:11 (KJV)
Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because "The righteous will live by faith." (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

LET IT GLOW

Paul is quoting Habakkuk 2:4, which is quoted three times in the New Testament-Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11, and Heb. 10:38.

According to this chapter, how is Paul saying  I am  supposed to live?

• by faith (verse 11)
• believe God (verse 6)
• as a child of Abraham (verse 7)
• redeemed from the curse of the law by Christ (verse 13)
• receive the promise of the Holy Spirit through faith (verse 14)
• justified by faith (verse 24)
• as a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus (verse 26)
• like Abraham's seed (verse 29)
• an heir according to the promise (verse 29)

Abraham believed God when he was told  he would become the father of many nations and his seed would be as numerous as the sand and stars. This belief was " imputed or accounted to him for righteousness," verse 6 states. As I continue to believe in Jesus as my Savior, my faith justifies me before God. I believe His blood was shed in my place, so I don't have to pay for my sins, Christ already did that. What a Savior!

Joni Eareckson Tada, in her devotional book, Diamonds in the Dust, said," The Law says, do these things and you shall live, but the Gospel says, live and these things you will do. If we are right in our inward being, we shall certainly do right in our outward actions. This is what Christian liberty is all about." (verses 24-25)


LET IT GROW


Have you ever redeemed coupons at the grocery store?  The amount of the coupon I used was subtracted from  my total bill. The company would reimburse the store for that amount. So it was with Christ. When He redeemed me from my sins, I was set free by His paying the price.

Verses 13 and 14 say,"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Shepherd's Notes says:
The word redeemed means "to buy off" or "set free by the payment of a price." It was used to describe the purchase of slaves. The root word for redemption in Greek is agora "marketplace," the site of the slave auction where, every day in ancient Rome human beings were put up for sale to the highest bidder. Paul's use of the word redemption declares that we have been bought with a price. The ransom for our sins was nothing less than the life blood of the Son of God. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

The words of this song came to me:
"Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed through His infinite mercy. His child and forever I am."


LET IT GO

Time for evaluation: Am I living by faith, like a child of God?

Am I showing and telling others that I have been redeemed?

What's the Verdict?

Galatians 2
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  Galatians 2:16


LET IT GLOW

Once I sat on a jury whose verdict found the young man  guilty of breaking the law. He was sentenced to several years in prison. I thought of this whenever I read today's verse. I was like that man.  As a sinner, I was condemned and found guilty of sin before a righteous judge, which is Christ. What's the verdict? Guilty. My sentence would have been death and Hell. (2 Cor. 5:10 says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ....") But because Jesus Christ died on the cross, was a perfect sacrifice, took my place as payment for my sins, I don't have to pay for my sins. It was all due to the grace of God. My  faith in believing Jesus did this for me, trusting Him as my Savior, asking His forgiveness of my sins, resulted in my being set free from the penalty of my sin.
Now I am justified by faith in Jesus. Being justified means "just as if I never sinned."  It was not by works, or anything I could have done to earn this pardon. Jesus did it all for me as a free gift. That is why I praise Him.

David Guzik quoted a man named Morris as saying, "Justified is a legal concept; the person who is "justified" is the one who gets the verdict in a court of law. Used in a religious sense, it means the getting of a favorable verdict before God on judgement day."

Now that is a reason to shout for joy!

Paul says we are not justified by the law-good works, the Ten Commandments, baptism, church membership, religious ritual. It is only by faith in Jesus Christ.
 "The Jewish laws were inadequate and insufficient to bring them into a right relationship with God," said Jerry Falwell.
So the Jews, like us Gentiles, must believe in Christ in order to be justified. Thank You Lord for grace and faith to believe.


LET IT GROW

Verse 20 reads, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Do I surrender to the supremacy of Jesus Christ? Do I die to my selfish wants, rights, ideas, pride, ownership of my possession, everything? Do I live so people see Christ living in me-through my words, attitudes, actions? Friends, this is hard. Do I hear an amen?

Jesus Christ gave Himself for me. Such love! It is overwhelming. Glory to His Name!

Blackaby said in his devotional book, Experiencing God Day -By-Day:

 "The Christian life is an exchanged life: Jesus' life for your life. Rather than constantly worrying about what you will face, your great challenge is to continually release every area of your life to God's control.The temptation will be to try to do by yourself what only God can do. Allow God to live out His divine life through you. He is the only one who can."

Wow, my toes are sore from being stepped on so much today.


LET IT GO

Can we just skip this part today? I guess not.

Thank You Lord for justifying me. You paid the penalty of my sins for me.

I surrender to Christ living in me.