Resting His Case, pt.2

Friends,

Yep, this is one of those types of stories -- A Roman Catholic priest, a Christian pastor and a Jewish rabbi were talking one day about their belief in miracles.  The Roman Catholic said that he believed in miracles and illustrated it by telling of a recent incident when he had flown to Durban. As the aircraft began its final approach, a tremendous storm broke, the rain was pouring down, there were loud claps of thunder and the plane was being tossed about. The priest had prayed for a miracle and "for a hundred yards all around the plane there was a great stillness and the plane landed safely."  The pastor too said that he believed in miracles. When on a vacation in Cape Town, South Africa, he and his wife had taken the trip out to a nearby island.  On their return to Cape Town harbor, however, a great wind suddenly rose and the waves were very soon many yards high. They feared for their lives and the pastor prayed for a miracle, and "for a hundred yards around the boat there was a great stillness and the boat arrived safely in the harbor."  The rabbi said that he had come to believe in miracles through an event that had taken place the previous Saturday.  During a Sabbath service, a visitor from America had arrived with a suitcase full of ten-dollar notes which he chose to give to the synagogue.  According to the traditions, there was a problem concerning how to count all this money on the Sabbath? So, I prayed for a miracle, and “for a hundred yards all around the suitcase it was Wednesday!"  (Adapted from Andy Barnard's Sermon "Keep the Sabbath")

As we return to a group of people including Jesus, His disciples and some Pharisees, once again, we see how Jesus deals with the Pharisees concerning how they have interpreted the Sabbath.  As we discussed previously, the Sabbath law was given to Israel as a mark of her relationship with God (Exodus 20, 31:13-17, Nehemiah 9:12-15).  The Pharisees, who sacrificed to obey their Sabbath laws, thought that they were serving God by adding a number of regulations to what was already sufficient doctrine and practice.  When they accuse Jesus and His disciples, they believe that they are defending God. (Good thing folks today are not guilty of such actions). :-)

By declaring Himself, “Lord of the Sabbath,” Jesus affirms equality with the Father who gave the Sabbath.  In Mark’s account we see that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27), so Jesus continues to teach, train.  The context and background for all of this information is that the Sabbath was originally designed for man’s good.  Jesus comes to this place and time in order to point out that the traditions of the Scribes and Pharisees concerning the Sabbath actually run counter to and diminish the principle and law of the Sabbath itself. And so, as Jesus came to fulfill the Law, the legal purpose of the Sabbath…in being a part of the Law…was fulfilled and abolished.  Therefore, Christians are no longer under the authority of the Jewish Sabbath. By making the statement recorded in Mark 2, Jesus implicitly challenges the whole Sabbath theology of the post-exile Jews.  As indicated in the last message, to require man to deny his own needs in order to keep the Sabbath was to pervert the institution…men were to be free from the burdensome restrictions in keeping the day.  Jesus declares man’s freedom from the rabbinic Sabbath with all of its traditions in as much as He is Lord of the Sabbath.  All of this allowed Him to have the authority to do healings and perform other ministry on the Sabbath day, as we have seen.  So all of this is why the next part of the story makes more sense. 

Following the first discussion (Matthew 12:1-8), Jesus now actually goes to their synagogue, the Jews place of worship. This serves to reveal the growing tension between Jesus and Jewish religious establishment. A man is there who has a withered hand, which means that it is dry, lifeless…perhaps paralyzed.  The Pharisees quickly seize upon the situation and ask Jesus if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath?  Jesus’ response is not to assert His own authority in any way, nor to quote some example from the Old Testament, but to point out the inconsistency of their own practice.  The religious leaders are strict in prohibiting the healing of someone with a malady, but not where their own property is concerned.  The irony being that they would make rules to save an animal, but would not waive them in order to save a man…so, I guess we now recognize these folks as the original tree huggers. ;-) 

Jesus serves by healing a man with a withered hand, which is almost incidental to the story behind the story.  But, the command for the man to stretch out his immovable hand illustrates that the healing is connected to the man’s faith…which is not unlike how Jesus handles some other healings.  The Pharisees see the healing as a deliberate challenge to their Sabbath traditions. A single infringement upon the traditions of the Scribes and Pharisees would not seem to be sufficient to warrant the reaction that they now display.  But, this second “transgression” taking place in such short order appears to be more than they can bear. So, the Pharisees plot together to consider how it is that they can destroy Jesus.  The Lord, understanding their hearts and their nefarious plotting, withdraws from there.

Ross Cochrane offers this -- yesterday, I got rid of some thorny weeds growing like trees in the back garden. The thorns were now like razor sharp nails and so it was difficult to get to the roots without punctures, scratches and a bad attitude. I knew that if I didn’t get to the roots, they would just grow again so I used the mattock. A mattock is a hand tool similar to a pickaxe, particularly suited for digging. Unfortunately, I am not! It took forever to dig around the roots and pull out the bulbous, deformed hand of the root system with its disfigured fingers reaching out insidiously in all directions. Hebrews 12:15 (NLT) warns us "...Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." There were some poisonous, thorny people that Jesus had to deal with that day in Matthew 12. They were razor sharp in their responses to Jesus and just as destructive. The clawed fingers of their law system were distorted, malformed and particularly difficult to uproot. It is not at all surprising that Jesus uses a man with a deformed hand to illustrate what needed to be done if ever they were to be healed of a deformed heart.  This verse says something about Jesus. He didn’t back away from weeding God’s garden. He meets me on my turf. He confronts me about my legalism in the place where I am more deformed on the inside than this man’s withered hand, in the synagogue of my own making

We have to guard our hearts.  We don’t want to become like the Pharisees, making laws and regulations which bind the hearts and actions of men.  Unfortunately, this practice is still all too alive and well today in many places.  But, we must understand that Jesus comes to set us free from these matters.  Remember the beginning of last week’s message – He does not come to add burdens to our lives and spirits, but to give us rest for our souls. (Matthew 11:28-30, see also 1 John 5:1-4)  This principle of rest should follow times of service, as this is what keeps us fresh, energized and avoiding becoming weary or burned out. We do tend to think that we are invincible, however, and that we can work, work and work some more…but, it can and will catch up to us in physical, mental and emotional distress.  There was a very important purpose for the Sabbath from the very beginning, as the Lord planned it.  And it was intended to be man’s servant, not his master, as the Pharisees had made it.  As I mentioned previously, we need 30 hours in a day to sort everything we have going on, which is all the more reason why we must work at resting.  Granted, we do not keep an actual physical “Sabbath” in the literal sense.  But, in a very real, spiritual sense, we need to make and take time for ourselves, and with our families, not to mention some time for the Lord.

Blessings, Don

Deal or No Deal

Friends,

A humanitarian group in Africa, noticing the filthy water, sewage, and disease in one particular place, built a clean water and sewage system for a village. Months later, they visited the village…but it was back to square one with filthy water, sewage and disease. The chief told the humanitarian workers: "And what did you expect? These people had been many years without clean water. Then you gave it to them for free in abundance. They took all they could use and more. The people did not work for those water stations. They do not own them, and they could not be persuaded to maintain them." The humanitarians were silent. The chief had spoken truth. The great gift alone had not been enough and the reasons could be clearly observed. Perhaps it is human nature to abuse a gift.  The humanitarians returned to their camp and thought long and hard about how they could help the villagers.  The next day the humanitarians returned, determined to rebuild the water and sanitation systems with the following conditions -- the villagers would have to pay for water and sanitation. Not more than they could afford, but there would be no gift giving this time. A group of villagers would work with the contractors to build the system and would be taught how to repair every aspect of it.  These villagers would, in turn, train others so the system would never fall into disrepair.  With the new conditions in place, the water and sanitation systems were restored. This time the people had respect for the systems because they owned them.  This time they were able to repair the system when it broke down. To this day the villagers have plenty of clean water and live free of filth and disease.  This story could have some elements changed, be moved to America, and have the same issues with regard to a lack of respect, responsibility.  But, there could and should be the same resultant changes, as well.  God, through Moses deals with some of these issues of stewardship with the people of Israel…and once again, even though the situations may have changed, the principles remain the same.

There are certain responsibilities that we have as God’s stewards. We have the choice as to whether we will deal with our responsibilities or not deal with them…but there is truly only one choice.  In Leviticus 25, the focus is on “Israel in their land.”  If Israel was going to possess and enjoy their land, they would have to recognize and respect some basic facts…the first of which was that “God owned the land” (vv.2, 23, 38).  God also owned “the people of Israel” – He redeemed them from Egyptian bondage.  The Jews were expected to work in their fields, but it was “God who gave the increase” (v.21).  God was their “Land Lord” in more ways than one.  In chapter 23, we came to understand that the Jewish calendar was based on a series of “sevens.”  The “seventh day” was to be a Sabbath rest where the Jewish people would not labor.  Here, we learn that the seventh year is to be a year of rest for the land, the people and their animals.  During the Sabbath year, the people were not to work the fields or have organized harvests.  Also during this time, some debts were forgiven and indentured servants were set free.  The Sabbath year was the occasion for a “Bible conference” when the priests read and explained the Book of Deuteronomy to the people.  See…you all have it easy. J The nation learned the meaning of “give us this day our daily bread,” as God promised to provide for them and protect them throughout the year…if only they would trust and obey (vv.18-22).

The other aspect of all of this is -- at the end of seven sevens of years…or the 50th year…there was to be Jubilee.  It would require a great deal of faith for the people to recognize a Jubliee year, because the previous year (the 49th), the Jews would have had a Sabbath year.  So, they were to recognize two years of rest back to back.  What elements were to be involved in the Jubilee year?  There was to be repentance (v.9) and release (of the servants, once again so that they might return to their own lands, families, vv.10-13).  Also, there was to be rest (vv.11-12) and restoration (vv.13-17).  The land sold since the last Jubilee would revert back to the original owner.  The Lord wanted them to have a sense of proprietorship in having it restored to them.  In the New Testament, Jubilee is likened to the Good News that is shared with the poor…which would include all people.  This is because people’s debts have been paid and completely forgiven in Jesus Christ (as seen in the stories of Luke 7:36-50, and in many other places).

As we know, God certainly wouldn’t fail the people of Israel, but their faith might fail. Unfortunately, there is no Biblical evidence that the Jews ever celebrated a Sabbath year or a year of Jubilee.  In fact, the Bible indicates that they did not do so (2 Chronicles 36:21).  God ultimately sent Israel into Babylonian captivity for seventy years…in part to give the land the rest it needed.  By disobeying the law of the Sabbath year, the Jews robbed themselves, not only of spiritual blessings, but also the strength of the land and of their servants and animals…a costly mistake.  We have been released for a purpose.  We have an added responsibility as believers in Christ.  We have the whole story, the whole knowledge…and complete forgiveness.  We really have no excuse.  We are going to make mistakes, but we must live as the blameless, accountable people of God…this is our responsibility.

It is a basic principle of life – whatever we keep from God we can never truly enjoy ourselves.  One preacher has shared that in his ministry, he has met a number of people who claim that they “withhold their offerings”…only to end up paying extra money for medical bills or auto repairs.  In fact, one member brought a budget book to his office just to show him how God had begun to bless him when he stopped keeping from God of what was really His.  This isn’t necessarily a message about “contribution”, but the illustration does fit the concept of stewardship that we have been discussing.  Everything that we have really belongs to God…it is not ours…we are caretakers.  It is incumbent for us to take care of these things…whether it is our contribution of money, our contribution of possessions or our contribution of time.  We are to have an important stewardship in these things.  We also have a stewardship to ministry.  If God has put it on one of us a responsibility to minister in His church and in the community, then we should take our responsibilities seriously, as we will be accountable to Him as to whether we are or are not doing so.  We need to take care of what God has given us…this is our stewardship.  We do not need to be careless, but use care and concern…whether it is dealing with property, or people.  We have a stewardship to love one another as Jesus has loved us…we need to take this very seriously as well.  We have every opportunity to be a blessing and to be blessed if we take seriously our responsibilities.  It is “deal or no deal.”  God has laid it out to us, as He did to the Israelites...and there is really only one correct answer.  And you may not win a million dollars, but I guarantee that you will store up treasure in heaven. 

Blessings, Don

Walking with the Spirit (Considering Galatians), Pt. 7

Friends,

Well...better late than never...and it was almost "never." (Not really...but, if one procrastinates or is distracted long enough, it might seem like it :-).  However, on to the concluding message from Paul's letter to the Galatians.   Paul has spoken about the connection of living spiritually versus living according to the flesh in chapter 5.  Paul continues with this theme in chapter 6...and instead of sounding combative, he has a much more conciliatory tone, as at the end of chapter 5.  Apparently some have asked the question, "How do we deal those Judaizers (or Gentile Christians, for that matter) who repent of the attitudes and activities of the flesh?"  Paul may be thinking about Jesus' message in the Sermon on the Mount, regarding approaching all matters of discerning judgment with humility and love.  He offers an interesting expression, "you who are spiritual should restore him gently."  But, for those of the Spirit, this must be done with humility...and I believe that he is speaking with regard to the contrast between pride and humility.  If those who are "spiritual" are not careful, they will be tempted to be unspiritual, that is prideful, concerning how they go about their business.  Once again, Paul appeals to love...as in "the law of Christ," and this, as it is in this letter, runs opposed to the Law of Moses.  We must not be prideful or arrogant as it relates to helping others who are in need, or else, we may do more harm than good. 

We must not overvalue ourselves, neither should we undervalue ourselves, in relationship to principle of living the Christian walk and serving others.  We cannot fool the Lord who is able to evaluate matters accurately with regard to our spiritual walk (vv.7-8).  Living according to the flesh will keep us distracted and hinder us from being the servants that God not only wants, but requires for us to be.  God has gifted each of His children in a unique way to serve Him...and all believers need to fulfill their service to Him...and especially to those who belong to the body of Christ.  I believe this is the principle behind Paul's unusual statement in v.6. regarding instructing and instruction -- if we have been blessed, we need to be a blessing.  If we can maintain our spiritual walk as we should...taking time to rest, recuperate as we need...we will not only be a blessing, but we will receive blessings.

In the final eight verses of this letter, Paul apparently takes control of the steering wheel, so to speak.  He writes with his own hand, rather than have his amanuensis (secretary) compose for him, as has been the case throughout the letter.  Paul claims no professional ability as it relates to his writing, and indeed, seems to be poking fun at himself (v.11).  Basically, this section is a recapitulation of everything he has shared up to this point.  He does not want the free believers in the Galatian churches...primarliy Gentiles...to be influenced by those who would claim that circumcision (as well as the rest of the principles of the Law) is essential in order to be acceptable to God.  The key, once again, is not concerning matters that bind us humans...the Law, the flesh...but it is concerning the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, where all of these other matters find their place and are laid to rest.  The Law was not sufficient, but being a "new creation" in Jesus is.  The Galatian believers must come back to investigating and appropriating the spiritual matters that they once believed...and not allow themselves to be held captive by doctrines and other matters that are going to take them away from spirituality, and ultimately, eternity.  And finally, if anyone would be of a mind to question Paul's credibility (as did some "believers" in Corinth) in writing these matters, he reminds them that he bears scars...physical and emotional...on Jesus' behalf.  These marks for Jesus are of a far greater benefit in proving Paul's conviction for truth, perhaps, than anything he could say.  Nonetheless, the two walk hand in hand.  Paul concludes by appealing to the grace of Jesus Christ for their spirits, a wonderful expression of peace and hope.

Once again, nothing is gained for us today in making the same mistakes as a significant portion of the early believers.  Although, I believe that we could concur with the wise sage, Solomon, who shared that "there is nothing new under the sun" in this regard.  We must learn and understand that Laws and regulations are not going to produce spirituality in us, but indeed, they take away from it.  They hinder our ability to walk as free persons in Christ in much the same way as the flesh also hinders the spiritual walk (and Paul has connected the two).  This does not mean that we must not be people of principle...we should be so.  But, we must appeal to the same law that Paul appeals to in this letter...the law of love...the law that Jesus Himself commended during His last few days on earth (John 13:34-35, 15:12, etc.).  Then, in turn, all other principles gain their proper perspective and place in relationship to the whole of the Christian walk.  And as Paul says, early on in the letter, it is this perspective that will make the difference...then and now...as to whether churches grow and prosper or decay and decline. 

I hope this series has been a blessing to you...have a great day.

Blessings, Don

Walking with the Spirit (Considering Galatians), Pt. 2

Friends,

When we come to chapter 2, Paul continues with his theme concerning dealing with false brethren.  Paul is sensitive to the issues of the day, having gone to Jerusalem some years before in order to minister to, visit with the Jewish Christians.  So, even though he has a mission to the Gentiles, he continues to establish that he was not ignoring the Jewish brethren.  He is fully invested in the cause of Christ to all peoples, races, and religions.  It is interesting that Paul insists that Titus not be circumcised at this time (v.3), because as we know, in Acts 16:3, Paul has Timothy circumcised, because it was important in relationship to his ministry to the Jews.  Here, Paul is not going to give in to the Judaizers who are insisting that circumcision is necessary in order to be a "true Christian" as they saw it.  Paul understands what is at stake, and if Titus is circumcised, it will give weight to the Judaizers' argument.  They could say, "see, Paul is giving in to us."

Paul continues with his strong speech, using a military expression in reference to the activities of the Judaizers.  He says that they had "inflitrated our ranks and were spying on us."  It is apparent that some of these Judaizers had been following Paul around and were making his life difficult.  At this point, the battle is on...and Paul is not going to lose.  What are the Judaizers spying on?  Paul says "their freedom in Christ."  This is very significant.  The Judaizers are trying to rob them and others of their spiritual freedom, their opportunity to grow in relationship with Christ Jesus...and this, by insisting that all believers keep the Jewish regulations (see last chapter).  Paul understands just how critical it is that he win the battle against the Judaizers, because there is much at stake...the souls of believers.  Paul talks about this subject of "spiritual freedom" throughout this letter, and particularly 5:1, because he knows that being in bondage is a bad place to be...whether physically or spiritually (and he would know). 

Paul is blessed to work with a number of fellow-workers who helped him in his ministry efforts, and some of them are mentioned in this middle section of this chapter.  Some of the ministry that they are undertaking is of great importance.  Many New Testament writers talk about how critical it is to take care of the poor.  Paul makes certain that this ministry is taking place.  He even may have had conversations with James, the brother of Jesus, concerning the issue, as James prominently mentions the subject in his letter (James 1:27).  One of those who worked with Paul was the apostle Peter.  It is shocking to see what happens as Paul says that he opposed Peter to his face, because of his hypocrisy.  It is apparent that Peter had given in to some "peer pressure" and went along with some of the Judaizers in their condemnation of the Gentile Christians for not adhering to the Jewish religious system.  We can understand the powerful impact of such pressure, as Paul even mentions that  Barnabas, "the Son of Encouragement," is led astray.  This is certainly a good lesson for people to pay attention to today.  This is all the more remarkable considering that in Acts 11:1-8, Peter shares an important message with the Jewish Christians concerning how the unhindered gospel needs to be taken to the Gentile Christians.  This experience has to be an important life lesson for Peter, as well as for Paul.

The whole letter could very easily have been concluded with the climax at the end of the chapter, where Paul shares the popular and meaningful statement, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, 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 could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"  (Galatians 2:20-21, NIV)  The point he makes is critical and poignant -- we have our spiritual and eternal justification by faith, not according to law or regulations.  The Galatian believers have to come back to this understanding.  It is not Jesus plus something...it is Jesus period, exclamation point! Life and godliness is about living according to faith in and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Everything spiritually necessary is appropriated from this.

Once again there are alot of "well-meaning" Christians today that believe that we can be justified in Christ as long as we also keep certain "tightly observed" regulations.  And once again, what we come to understand is...as with the believers in the first century...it is not going to help people to be more righteous, rather it can hinder, perhaps even destroy, their walk with the Lord.   But, it is more complicated than that, because there are also some believers today who are just as militant as the Judaizers in the early church who "seek to take away the freedoms" of spiritual brethren.  These brethren do "spy on" and otherwise create havok for Christians, particularly of the younger set....and do not exhibit the Spirit of Christ in their attitudes or behaviors.  They often will write about certain popular speakers, preachers in their newsletters, publications, because they do not believe that these people are "staying true to the (their) cause," that is, keeping what they believe are the "understood" brotherhood norms or regulations.  In actuality, such popular preachers are truly living according to the Spirit and to their faith-full calling.  They share messages that help bring light and life into the spirit of believers.  What is grievous, though, is that many times, truly spiritual seekers become discouraged and leave our fellowship, or leave the body altogether.  This is often because they have dared to disagree with some "regulation(s)" or have promoted some good thought or work that "isn't it line with some particular group's list of do's and don'ts" (and there are usually many more don'ts than do's).  I have seen it happen all to often. 

We cannot do good enough or be good enough in order to gain salvation in any respect.  It is only because of the blood of Jesus and our connection with it through conversion that we are able to experience salvation.  Then rest of the other religious matters sorts themselves out.  If we have or keep the proper perspective, and recognize principle #1, "Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself" then we are not going to allow rules and regulations to be masters, but servants...which is where they need to be.

Blessings, Don

Walking with the Spirit (Considering Galatians), Pt. 1.

Friends,

Ther first chapter of this letter sorts out like many of Paul's letters...there is an introduction, generally followed by encouragements and other information.  While Paul starts off introducing himself, his first order of business is to admonish those in the Galatian churches.  The third section of the first chapter supports his statement in verse 1...that he was "sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father."  As I shared in the introduction, Paul and other missionaries are "being followed" by Judiazers who for their own reasons, religious and otherwise, are coming into the churches established by Paul in the Galatian area and teaching a "different gospel."   The Judaizers are vying for the allegiance of the Galatian Christians, and they are seeking to discredit Paul as a valid witness for Christ in order to do so.  This is why Paul shares what he does in verse one.  He is not going to back down from these "false believers."  Why?  There is simply too much at stake in relationship to the gospel of Christ and for the churches themselves.  The Judaizers are interested in making certain that the Gentile Christians will become like them in keeping the regulations of the Jewish religious system, particularly circumcision, but also including many of the other traditions, feasts, etc.  (Much of the central portion of the book of Acts...chapters 13-15, particularly...deals with this problem in the early church.  Ultimately, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the decision is made that all people, regardless of background...Jew or Gentile...are able to come to Jesus as they are, culturally, and religiously...whatever that may be).  Paul defends himself and his ministry in the latter part of chapter 1 (vv. 11-24).  I am not going to focus on this portion of the chapter so much as I am the mid-section, because of what I believe is its importance to those living for Christ, not only then, but for those who are believers today.

Paul tells the Galatian Christians that he is amazed that they are "deserting the one who called them" and "turning to a different gospel" (v.6). This is a striking statement in many respects, because the Judaizers are "believers in Jesus Christ."  They have given their lives to Christ and have been baptized, converted to Him.  They may indeed have their salvation in Him, but they have added regulations to it, therefore, they have demeaned it.  They would say, "we can have Jesus, but we must also have the law, the regulations."  Paul says, "no, Jesus is sufficient."  But, this still isn't enough for me to understand that they have a belief system in something that is "no gospel at all" (v.6).  There has to be something more...and there is.  It has more to do with the heart of the matter, which is usually the matter that has Paul's focus.  Jesus tells the Ephesian Christians in the Revelation to John that "they have lost their first love." (Revelation 2:4).  The believers there had "cast out love" for one another for the sake of their traditions, opinions, arguments.  They had violated principle number one of Jesus' life and ministry, "love God, love one another."  This is the same thing that Paul shares with the Corinthian church, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1).  So, it is not just the addition of the regulations that has Paul hopping mad, it is the lack of love that these Judaizers display toward their fellow-believers that has him so troubled.  The attitude of the Judaizers couldn't very well be loving if they are behaving in an arrogant, condescending manner. They would say concerning the Gentile believers, "you are second-rate Christians, but if you want to be first-rate, then you must keep the laws and traditions."  This attitude of heart violates Jesus' rule number one.  This is why the decision at Jerusalem in Acts 15 had to go the way that it did.  We can't live in a loving relationship with other believers if we believe that we are superior (or inferior) to them. We are then exercising pity or resentment, depending upon the situation, rather than the love of God.  It is this fleshly and destructive mindset that could easily destroy the churches in the Galatian area.  If Paul isn't able to win the battle for the minds and hearts of the believers, the cause of Christ is going to suffer a serious setback in that area.

So, what could this possibly mean for us today?  We are much like the Galatians today in that there are believers in Christ today who come from various cultural and philosophical backgrounds.  Some are like "Gentiles" when they come to Christ, not only ignorant of the teachings of Christ, but innocent as it relates to understanding traditions, regulations, etc. involved with religion. Others have been "raised in churches" and often have been immersed in the traditions, regulations of those churches.  As Paul points out in his first letter to Corinth (chapters 10-14) and in his letter to the Romans (the whole work, really, but particularly chapter 14 as it relates to this discussion), we are able to be free in Christ, free from regulations of law which bind us and keep us from loving one another.  As I first heard Romans 14 shared with me, it was those who "kept the regulations" that were the "strong brethren."  Yet, upon further review and deeper study, I found just the opposite to be true...those who have few regulations are the "strong."  I have heard the same thought a number of times in relationship to this text from Galatians...that the "false teachers" were those who would not be "doctrinally sound" or "correct," which in most cases meant, those "who did not hold to the regulations or traditions of the church."  Once again, such a correlation couldn't be further from the truth.  Indeed, it was those who were insisting upon adding regulations, binding traditions that Paul is speaking against here. 

The bottom line is this:  What has happened with Christians over the past century is that those who have been steeped in regulations, traditions in their churches often display the same attitude toward other, particularly younger, believers as that seen in the Judaizers in the early church.  They behave in a condescending, or even disdainful, manner toward those who do not agree with "their' or "their church's" or what they perceive is "the brotherhood's" view of any number of subjects.  In short, they choose to regulate these matters in the places where they reside, work...often to the detriment of the church. This is not to say that we cannot have or keep certain traditions, principles that guide concerning how we go about our business collectively, but they cannot be held in such high esteem that they violate the gospel of Christ, as was happening in the early church in the places mentioned.  As I shared in relationship to a message on the Lord's Supper recently, people can become so bound as to "what form" the Supper is supposed to take, or even "who can take it," that they truly miss the intended meaning for the Lord's Supper itself.  I believe Paul would be just as angry today with the "lack of love" or "loss of love" on the part of many believers who claim Jesus Christ, but whose attitude of heart is so very different from what He displayed and in relationship to His calling in general.  We may be able to discern all of the mysteries of the Bible, know all of the stories, have great contributions, potlucks, activities, etc, and yet, if principle number one is not present, then it is all for nought.  It is a critical message for the Galatians...and it also is for us.

Blessings, Don

Walking with the Spirit (Considering Galatians), Introduction

Friends,

I believe the title, "Walking with the Spirit," is appropriate for this message, although the apostle Paul certainly had to build his case in order to help the Christians in the Galatian region to understand this point.  In fact, as he starts his letter, it does not sound very hopeful.  Paul established churches in central Asia Minor, the Galatian region particulrly, on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:1ff).  There has long been some question as to whether these churches were in the upper, less civilized area of Asia Minor or in the lower, more populated region.  There are many arguments that can be used in support of either position, but for the purposes of this message, my simple response is that the cities mentioned in the book of Acts are in the lower region.  I believe that it is in cities such as Lystra, Derbe, Iconium and Pisidian Antioch that he ministered on his first journey, so the letter would probably have an early composition (48-49 A.D.), and would likely be the first or second letter that Paul wrote. 

Something happened in the few years of time from when he established those churches and when he writes the letter to the Galatians.  Paul had been the Pharisee of Pharisees until his meeting with Jesus.  He was faithful with regard to keeping the Law.  He understood the complexities and difficulties associated with being a Jewish religious leader.  Following his conversion, he zealously took up the cause of his Lord and went out to tell the world concerning salvation in Jesus Christ.  Peter, John and other of the apostles were first sent to the Jews  to share the message of Christ.  We do not know the precise time-frame, but many Jews would come to know Christ from the time that the church was established in Acts 2 until the time of the events in the Galatian letter. Some of these Jewish Christians were still enamored with elements of the law...so much so that it would become a stumbling block to them and for others, as they would seek to impose Jewish traditions and regulations upon Gentile converts.  Acts 13-15 deals with much of the controversy concerning whether or not Gentile Christians would have to become Jews in order to be considered "genuine" Christians.  The answer, as revealed by the Holy Spirit in Acts 15 is plainly "no."  Gentile believers were able to come to Christ as they were and did not have to conform to any list of Jewish traditions or regulations.  Just a brief aside...can you imagine if the decision would have gone the other direction?  It would have led to utter chaos in the early church and likely would have led to the church's undoing.  Everyone would have had to abide by a consistent set of regulations in order to be considered "proper" Christians.  Then what would have been the purpose of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, if not to set us free, not only from sin, but from the Law which was binding? (I will expand on this later).  This is the point of the Galatian letter, as well as the letter to the Romans -- we have been set free to live for Christ.  It is this principle that we are going to explore.

Paul had enemies who apparently were following him from place to place and were causing trouble for him and for those he was teaching (Galatians 2:4).  These enemies were some of these cultural and religious Jewish Christians or "Judaizers," as they were known.  These brethren should have been Paul's allies, but many of them were still trusting  in the law more so than in a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Unfortunately, they were binding many of the regulations of the Jewish religion upon the new Gentile converts in the Galatian region.  The Judaizers' primary concern was circumcision, but there were also other traditional elements of the ritual law involved as well, such as holy days, feast, etc. It is these Judaizers and those they have influenced that Paul is going to address quickly.  We will examine this next -- stay tuned. :-)

Blessings, Don