Reckon the Revealed Reality

Gal. 4:31  So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Paul has taken quite some time with his logical application of the Scripture for these ‘bewitched’ Galatians. He is concerned for them, because a “fall from grace” stops the forming of the Christ within. (cf. v. 19)

The “falling from grace” (5:4) will be probably be dealt with by others next week as we delve into chapter 5; but let me say plainly here that it is not about losing one’s salvation. It is about forgetting the reality.

Paul concludes this part of his argument by stating a fact: we are not children of the slave woman, Hagar (flesh); and we do not answer to Sinai (legalism).

Many Christians have a problem with this reality, even though it is a fact plainly stated here and elsewhere in the Word (Romans 7).

The problem with the fact is that we do not reckon it to be so. We choose to believe what our senses tell us rather than what the Spirit says. Our senses tell us that we are still in bondage, because we sin. Satan “verifies” this for us by telling us that we will always be sinners. And, when we look at our situation, we believe him.

And so we do not ’see’ the reality in our life.

And since we believe this lie, it is easy to accept the next lie: we must DO SOMETHING. And the more we “do” the more we discover that we can’t keep up with the do’s. When we fall short on a ‘do’, we come under condemnation. The condemnation brings about a greater sense of unworthiness. The unworthiness brings about a loss of hope. And despair brings about a whole set of its own problems.

Pretty soon, we believe we are not saved, and we turn to the Lord in faith (once again) to start all over again.

I have watched and lived this cycle.

This cycle is not of God.

What is missing? Why do so many have these problems?

The surest, quickest glib answer is a lack of teaching. And this is somewhat true (Hos. 4:6). But there is plenty of teaching around. Sadly to say, however, there are not many students. That is, there are not many who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt. 5:6).

What is lacking is revelation.

Without revelation, one gets the letter of the Word, but not the spirit. Without revelation, one fills their mind, but not their heart. Without revelation, one has the behavior, but not the attitude. Without revelation, one has the words, but not the truth.

Ther is no magic formula to produce revelation. Jesus said some have been given eyes to see and ears to hear, and some have not. Revelation is the gift of God. He gives it to those who want it.

Do you hunger for God? (Psalm 42:1) Do you pursue righteousness? (1 Tim. 6:11) Do you strive for holiness? (Heb. 12:14)

If you do, and you are still having times of being in the recurring cycle mentioned above, then I would encourage you to spend much time in chapters 3 & 4 of Galatians. Stay there until the revelation dawns on your heart.

Between the reckoning and the reality is the revelation.

NOTE: This is the fourth in a weekly posting on the Epistle to the Galatians. I am not the only one who is writing on this book. There are others who will be posting something on their blog each day of the week. We are each bringing something that the Lord gives us from chapter four of the epistle. You will be greatly blessed and encouraged, and your heart will be filled if you will take the time to read each day’s posting from one of the other saints involved in this collective effort. Put this link in your “favorites” or on your link bar at the top of your browser: http://www.philter48.com/bbs/ and make it a point to visit everyday.

Christ Alone

Chapters 3 & 4 of Paul’s letter to the Galatians are a powerful presentation of a logical argument. Paul reasons from a logical position of considering the history of the Jews and God’s dealings with them to show how the new covenant of grace could not possibly include any aspect of the law. These two chapters are a synopsis of his great Summa Theologica we call Romans, and were written almost 10 years prior to that great work.

We still need to hear these words today.

As a Catholic, I was taught that I would be judged by my works and if my good works did not outweigh my bad, then I would probably have to spend some time in Purgatory until the scales of justice were in my favor.

Many believers, though not brought up in the Catholic tradition, still cling to some sort of the same belief. Though most Protestants do not recognize any place of cleansing such as Purgatory, they still believe there is a balance sheet and they are desperately trying to come out on the positive side.

Paul argues here that there is NOTHING we can do to be justified before God. You cannot pray enough, go to church enough, give enough, help enough, love enough, fast enough, read the Bible enough, serve enough, or die enough to satisfy the demand of your sin. Not enough rosaries have been manufactured; not enough places of pilgrimage have been established; not enough saints in heaven are available to make your way to God secure.

The greatest truth ever told to me was that there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5). When that truth broke through into my heart, all the years of the fear of getting it wrong went out the window in a moment of time.

Now, I find myself continually ministering to people who are still trying to not get it wrong.

These are believers who love the Lord, but have been told there are things that they must do or not do to prove their salvation.

This is sometimes carried along by well-meaning people when they try to witness. It goes something like this:

“Are you saved?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know you are saved?”
And the ‘buttonholed’ one responds with something they did at a certain point in time.

Subtle. So don’t miss this.

I am not saved because I accepted Jesus.

I am saved because Jesus died for my sins!!!

I was saved 2000 years ago! That has always been my answer whenever I am asked by those who look for more than faith.

“Are you so foolish? Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing with faith?” (Gal.3:3-5 paraphrase).

Look to yourselves. Examine yourselves whether you be in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). Why do you do the things you do? Is it out of faith that is working by love? (Gal. 5:6) Or, is it out of some other motivation or reason?

Are you looking backward to the cross, or forward to the judgement seat? Where is your trust?

NOTE: This is the third in a weekly posting on the Epistle to the Galatians. I am not the only one who is writing on this book. There are others who will be posting something on their blog each day of the week. We are each bringing something that the Lord gives us from chapter three of the epistle. You will be greatly blessed and encouraged, and your heart will be filled if you will take the time to read each day’s posting from one of the other saints involved in this collective effort. Put this link in your “favorites” or on your link bar at the top of your browser: http://www.philter48.com/bbs/ and make it a point to visit everyday.

Difficulty With NOTHING

Jeremiah 32:17  ‘Oh, Lord God, you did indeed make heaven and earth by your mighty power and great strength. Nothing is too hard for you!

How often do I stumble over this concept that is repeated numerous times and ways in the Bible!!

And in our hymnology–

Nothing! Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Nothing is too difficult for Thee!

What part of ‘nothing’ don’t I understand? Why does my ’something’ always seem outside the realm of His ‘nothing?’ Why do I constantly end up with the Lord saying to me, “O you of little faith?”

Will there ever come a time when I will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant?”