02/03/2024: Galatians 5:16 – Walking by the Spirit is the answer to legalism.

 

Thought for today – Walking by the Spirit is the answer to legalism.

In order to understand what Paul means by the phrase, “walk by (in) the Spirit,” I need to examine the essential dichotomy of legalism and Spiritual freedom.  The legalist teaches that we must have the Law in order to control the lust and sinfulness of men.  Believing that somehow faith is not enough to keep us living right, they teach that we need law to make grace work.  “The fear of the legalist — that walking in the Spirit gives license to sin, and that only legalism can keep us holy — is just plain wrong ."  ( David Guzik, Study Guide for Galatians 5).  The answer to legalism is to walk by the Spirit. 

That’s what the Bible says!

02/01/2024: Galatians 5:6 – I live in Christ by faith working through love.

Thought for today – I live in Christ by faith working through love. 

Apart from faith in Jesus Christ, nothing I can do carries any value in the sight of God.  If I follow the law fastidiously, or if I live apart from the law, I cannot attain anything of eternal worth.  My standing and relationship with Jesus Christ depend exclusively on faith in Him, and any good that I do is the product of faith through love at work in my life.  This is true for me and everyone else alive today.

That’s what the Bible says!

01/19/2024: Galatians 3:23-25 – God used the Law to keep His people till faith in Christ would come.

Thought for today – God used the Law to keep His people till faith in Christ would come.

God gave Moses the Law as a means of guarding His people until Jesus the Messiah would come.  Observing the Law kept Israel ever mindful of the promises of God and their obligation to Him.  It served as a custodian, a schoolmaster, and a guardian to keep them until faith in Jesus Christ would come and fulfill the promises of faith.  Now that Christ has come and completed the prophecies of the Scripture, the gospel of salvation by faith has been revealed, and the Law in no longer our master or guardian.

That’s what the Book says!

01/18/2024: Galatians 3:21-22 – The Law is not a pathway to righteousness; faith is.

Thought for today – The Law is not a pathway to righteousness; faith is.

If we are saved by faith and not by works, and we are, what good is the Law?  Paul addresses that question by pointing out the great need of man is to find a way to God.  If there were any way to righteousness and this to God by keeping the Law, Jesus’s sacrifice would have been unnecessary.  The Law itself, however, demonstrated the need for the promise of faith in Christ because it lays bare our sin and reveals how desperately we need a Savior.  We need the Law because it proves how unrighteous we really are.

That’s what the Book says!