Hello
Friends!
During
this week’s gathering, we’ll continue to work our way through the book written
to the Galatians as we consider
the ONE and ONLY saving “salvation” message of “Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent
Epistle – “Only ONE Gospel!”
Galatians: Only ONE Gospel! (Chapter 5:1-6)
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made
us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold,
I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you
nothing. 3 For
I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the
whole law. 4 Christ
is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye
are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of
righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth
anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love – Galatians 5:1-6
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Initially, the Galatian brethren
had “received” the fullness of “salvation” by God personally. They
were “living” in the “power” of the “Holy
Spirit” and all was well… Until “certain
Jews” arrived from “Jerusalem”
of whom were referred to as “Judaizers”
throughout the New Testament letters. WHY?
Because these maniacal men INSISTED
that “Gentiles” must become “Jews” through their brandish
brand of becoming so-called children of God. And since it was mistakenly “believed” that the “Jews”
were the ONLY legitimate “people”
of God, NO ONE else could become
a “part” of the “kingdom
of God” unless they became a “Jew” first. Obviously, a “Gentile” could NOT do so genetically. However, they COULD do
so ceremonially.
Thus, there were certain rites and rituals
that could be piously performed to brazenly BRING one into the “religion”
of man-centered “Judaism” itself. It was
therefore FALSELY asserted that
only THEN could
a gullible “Gentile” actually “enter into” the “kingdom
of God” and attain “salvation”
through “Jesus Christ” caustically combined
with “Judaism” thus becoming – A Proselyte!
Stand Fast!
The “Apostle Paul” begins this SERIOUS section of “scripture” with a very STRONG statement to steadfastly “stand fast” concerning our spiritual “liberty” in “Christ” our Lord:
The “Apostle Paul” begins this SERIOUS section of “scripture” with a very STRONG statement to steadfastly “stand fast” concerning our spiritual “liberty” in “Christ” our Lord:
Stand
fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not
entangled again with the yoke of bondage – Galatians 5:1
POIGNANT POINT: No true “believer”
is exempt
from the commands that are CLEARLY presented for “us”
in the “Word of God” eternal. WHY? Because “our”
lifegiving “liberty”
in “Christ hath made
us free“ indeed:
If the Son
therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed – John 8:36
However,
that TRUTH does
NOT at all “teach”
that “we” have NO OBLIGATION to “God”
in HONORING and OBEYING
His moral
and spiritual
commands! Our “former life” as lost “Gentiles” was held captive “under the slavery of sin” and the
condemning “law of God” itself. And even
though “we” didn’t KNOW the written “law
of God” as pagans, His moral
law is based on the FACT that “we”
would ALL be damned. But, then along came
the GREAT grace-filled “gospel
of Jesus Christ” as our LIBERATOR
in an amazing ACT of emancipation has eternally “set us free” from our “yoke of bondage”
to a savage “slave master” called “sin” and the accompanying
looming “law of death” as such – FREEDOM in Jesus Christ!
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: There is a VERY
popular idea, particularly in the superficial sappy kind of
quasi “Christianity” that we have
today, where so-called “followers”
may want “Jesus in their life” to give
them what THEY want from Him. However, they do
NOT want to “deny”
their “ungodliness” or “worldly lusts” nor CHANGE
their life in ANY way or to LIVE their lives “soberly,
righteously” and in a “godly”
way for Him…
For the grace of God that
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world – Titus 2:11-12
In
fact, it’s quite EASY to pragmatically “preach”
something heretical like this phony fluff: “Hey, take
Jesus, and He’ll apply His life to yours. Don’t worry about what you do. He’ll
forgive all your sins…” This UNBIBLICAL
annulling ANTINOMIANISM rubbish is FAR from what “Scripture”
rightly “teaches” and is absolutely –
A LIE from HELL!
A DISTORTED Gospel!
And “we” are “free indeed” from the penial PENALTY and treacherous TYRANNY of the “law” and will “one day” be fully “free” from the PRESENCE of “sin” in “our” lives. Therefore, the Galatians are solemn “sons” and NOT somber “slaves” to the “religious” man-made “bondage” of jaundice Judaism in which will plainly – Profit you NOTHING!
And “we” are “free indeed” from the penial PENALTY and treacherous TYRANNY of the “law” and will “one day” be fully “free” from the PRESENCE of “sin” in “our” lives. Therefore, the Galatians are solemn “sons” and NOT somber “slaves” to the “religious” man-made “bondage” of jaundice Judaism in which will plainly – Profit you NOTHING!
Behold, I
Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I
testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the
whole law –
Galatians 5:2-3
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: That is a stunning statement.
Paul exclaims “Behold”
because the hybrid HERSEY that is being adamantly addressed is
absolutely SHOCKING!
And here is the dilemma: Our “salvation”
is ALL of “Jesus Christ” or it is NONE of Him. It is of God’s great “grace” or by the wicked “works” of man. It is by His “faith” or our “flesh”
resulting ultimately in eternal LIFE
or eternal DEATH of the eternal “soul” itself…
And
certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except
ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore
Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they
determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to
Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question… But
there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That
it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses
– Acts
15:1-2 & 5
And if by
grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it
be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work – Romans 11:6
For whosoever
shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all – James 2:10
Therefore,
Paul will “again” tangibly “testify” unto “every man” of whom
becomes “circumcised”
that they are now a “debtor”
to DO the “whole law” of God – A DOOMED debtor!
All
“false doctrine” renders “Jesus Christ” as profitless and ENSLAVES one
“under” more “bondage”
to the ENTIRE looming legal
system. Thus, Paul’s next statement is stinging to be sure:
Christ is
become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are
fallen from grace – Galatians
5:4
The
phrase “become of no
effect” is a violent Greek term meaning to be “cut off” from God’s great “grace” sufficient. In other words, if you are relying
on being “justified”
by the “law”
itself or ANY other rote “religious”
rite for your “salvation” rest, “Christ” is indeed of “no effect unto you” and are thus
eternally – SEVERED
from Him!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: There were many folks within
the “churches of Galatia” who claimed
they “believed” but hadn’t yet “come” completely to “Jesus
Christ” alone for their redemption. Thus, they were on the brink
of being SEDUCED by these “Judaizers”
in going
the way
of “works” and were very much akin to “those” spoken of in the book of Hebrews of
whom Paul says were “enlightened”
and had “tasted the heavenly gift” of
true “salvation” and even experienced
a mere SMATTERING of the “work”
of the “Holy Ghost” Himself…
Therefore leaving the principles
of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the
foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the
doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the
dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is
impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly
gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word
of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew
them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God
afresh, and put him to an open shame – Hebrews
6:1-6
For the law
having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things,
can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually
make the comers thereunto perfect… For it is not possible that the blood of
bulls and of goats should take away sins – Hebrews 10:1 & 4
Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings
and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which
are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He
taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we
are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered
one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God. From
henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one
offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified – Hebrews 10:8-14
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us,
through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the
house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with
pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for
he is faithful that promised;) – Hebrews 10:20-23
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a
certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall
devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under
two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be
thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the
blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath
done despite unto the Spirit of grace? – Hebrews 10:26-29
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated,
ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a
gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became
companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds,
and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have
in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your
confidence, which hath great recompence of reward – Hebrews 10:31-35
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my
soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto
perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul – Hebrews 10:38-39
When
one “considers” whether to “believe” and “receive”
our “Lord Jesus Christ” completely by “faith” in Him RATHER than the way of waning “works”
righteousness, understand this KEY
point: Turn your back on “Christ”
and you are SEVERED from Him. It is IMPORTANT to “understand”
that Paul is addressing the interested but unconverted
folks of whom he refers to using the “they”
or “them” or “those”
or “some” poignant pronouns. And
there is absolutely NO middle ground here: It is ALL of “Jesus Christ”
or it is NONE of Him – All of HIM
and NONE of us!
QUIZZING QUESTION: What are the CONSEQUENCES
for absolutely ANYONE intentionally INVENTING any kind of HYBRID godless “gospel”
maniacal “message” of man? Paul
exclaims that “Jesus Christ” will properly
“profit” them NOTHING and thus are frightfully “fallen
from grace” so glorious. And “they”
are ultimately EXCLUDED from God’s “righteousness by
faith” alone:
For we
through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith – Galatians 5:5
Conversely,
the VERY thing
“they” actually “seek”
after will NEVER be a “hope”
of theirs! Notice the CHANGE in Paul’s pronoun usages: The “we,” “us”
and “our” is ALWAYS
speaking of true “believers” including himself.
And as “we” too diligently “wait” for the “righteousness” of God by “faith” alone in Him, it is through “our” solemn “sanctification”
where the “Spirit” of “God” gives “us”
His “grace” as an eternal “gift”
unto “our” future – GLORIFICATION!
Paul
then concludes
this SERIOUS section
of “scripture” with this LOVING expression:
For in
Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but
faith which worketh by love – Galatians
5:6
That’s ALL that matters! The “whole law” is fulfilled by a
firm “faith” in “Jesus Christ” and our “love” that “worketh” rightfully FOR Him. It’s His “faith”
working through His “love”
as our “heart” is literally drawn
to God. True “Christians” long to LIVE their lives trusting God, loving
God and as a result, will “love”
others around them as well! Thus, “our”
God-given “faith” is a wonderfully WORKING, lavishly LIVING,
greatly GROWING and intensely INCREASING supernatural “love”
from “God” Himself as “we” willingly “wait”
as the “Spirit” of “grace” does HIS work IN
and THROUGH each of “us”
collectively. Therefore, “we”
wondrously WAIT with fantastic “faith” and lavish “love”
through a SUBMITTED solemn “work” of the “Spirit”
desiring HIM to diligently – Do GOD’S
Work IN us!
In closing:
Beloved,
there is NO Biblical premise that “teaches”
the FALSE fad that the “Christian”
is NOT responsible
for anything
and are FREE to do whatever
they want
and are thus FREE to callously “sin” all they so desire WITHOUT consequences
from God – NONE!
However,
as a true “believer” in “Jesus Christ” we ARE faithfully “free”
to DO the RIGHT thing.
We are “empowered” to DO the RIGHT thing
and thus “taught” to DO the RIGHT thing through the “Word of God” itself. Hence, our spiritual
“freedom” is NOT
simply a DELIVERANCE from the “oppression” of LEGALISM by the “Law”
or “sin” themselves. Rather, it is BY the
eternal ENDOWMENT of the “power” and “presence”
of the “Holy Spirit” within “us” to EMPOWER our “lives”
as having already been terrifically TRANSFORMED with a deep DESIRE to dutifully DO the GREAT
gracious – GOD
thing!
REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, may God give US the courage and boldness
to “contend earnestly for the faith”
that was signed, sealed and delivered
some – 2000 years ago…
Beloved,
when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints – Jude 3
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!
With
these thoughts in consideration towards your own personal studies, please read
through verses 1-6 in the fifth chapter of
the excellent book to the Galatians.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"Lighthouse Publications <><
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