It amazes me how sometimes, it is only in what seems to be my darkest hours, that I reach out to God in His word. I get angry and lose my temper throughout the day, lacking a meek and quiet spirit. My son's health issues have returned. And my husband has some serious health issues with his back at the moment. So I return to the Bible. I want it to be easier to do this daily.
Galatians 3:10-18
I am so thankful that we are justified by faith and not by the law. In order to be justified by the law you have to follow EVERY SINGLE LAW! And not all of them are written in the Bible. Several are passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth.
I recently heard a Christian woman who before she had become a Christian was studying to become a Jew. She said that a lot of the Jewish laws that are around today are hedges put there by rabbi's in order to prevent anyone from accidentally breaking the law given by God. For example there is a law that you should not kindle a fire on the Sabbath day. When matches were invented, the rabbi's added the law that you shall not strike a match on the Sabbath. When electricity was invented, you could not turn on the light switch (because it might cause a spark). God never said anything about not lighting a match or turning on a light switch, but those laws were added as a hedge around the law that God did give so that no one would accidentally break the law. You can see that Jesus did not think highly of those added laws.
I cannot imagine having not only to REMEMBER all the laws, but trying to make sure not to break a single one. I once heard that the reason God gave us the ten commandments to show us that there was no way we would be able to keep the law. I see shows where someone will go out and ask everyday people if they have ever (fill in the blank with your favorite commandment) and of course EVERY ONE has broken at LEAST one.
I also find it interesting that in verse 16, it mentions the promises made to Abraham and his seed. Seed is singular and Paul points out that is because the seed is actually Jesus. So the promise was made to Abraham and Jesus LONG before the law was every spoken by God to Moses. God's promise will not be made of no effect!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
March 11, 2008
Why is carving out time to read the Bible everyday so difficult? I am so selfish with my time. I would rather watch a movie, read a book, or even craft than read the Bible.
I guess that is why I am really drawn to what Elizabeth Prentiss says in her book Stepping Heavenward about not trying to read the Bible chapters at a time. But take a few verses DAILY and meditate on those. I need to pray for God to help me be better about reading His word and mediating on it daily.
So Galatians 3:6-9
Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
I love using Websters 1828 dictionary to define words, especially biblical words, because Webster used the dictionary to define his words in the 1828 version. (emphasis mine)
I know that our righteousness now comes through Jesus.
I also find it interesting that in verse 7 he uses the word ONLY. "only (emphasis mine) those who are of the faith are sons of Abraham."
This comes right after Paul talks about how we are saved by faith not by works. I wonder if people were walking around back then claiming to be sons of Abraham just like there are people running around today claiming to be Christians.
I say claiming because it seems that if you are born in America and are a pretty good person, then you are a "Christian". What the world fails to take into account is what the Bible says a true Christian is. From my understanding, it is someone who knows and loves God, follows His commandments and seeks to do His will for His glory.
Righteousness is definitely an interesting and eye opening word study.
Some verses that really struck me:
Matthew 5:20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
1 John 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
I guess that is why I am really drawn to what Elizabeth Prentiss says in her book Stepping Heavenward about not trying to read the Bible chapters at a time. But take a few verses DAILY and meditate on those. I need to pray for God to help me be better about reading His word and mediating on it daily.
So Galatians 3:6-9
Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
I love using Websters 1828 dictionary to define words, especially biblical words, because Webster used the dictionary to define his words in the 1828 version. (emphasis mine)
1. Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.
I know that our righteousness now comes through Jesus.
I also find it interesting that in verse 7 he uses the word ONLY. "only (emphasis mine) those who are of the faith are sons of Abraham."
This comes right after Paul talks about how we are saved by faith not by works. I wonder if people were walking around back then claiming to be sons of Abraham just like there are people running around today claiming to be Christians.
I say claiming because it seems that if you are born in America and are a pretty good person, then you are a "Christian". What the world fails to take into account is what the Bible says a true Christian is. From my understanding, it is someone who knows and loves God, follows His commandments and seeks to do His will for His glory.
Righteousness is definitely an interesting and eye opening word study.
Some verses that really struck me:
Matthew 5:20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
1 John 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
March 5, 2008
Galatians 3:1-5
I have no idea or thoughts on anything in Galatians 2. LOL! I read it over and over again and prayed, but nothing.
However, reading into chapter three, I can see why chapter 2 is there.
Christ would have died in vain if righteousness came through the law. I am guessing that the Galatian church has fallen back into old beliefs about following the law in order to be cleaned/saved?
I know that I myself have this ... thing within me that tries to please God through my works. And I must admit that a part of me starts feeling that I have to work in order to be saved.
Paul would call me foolish. Not once, but TWICE. Taken from the Websters 1828 dictionary:
WOW! I know that I focus on acts sometimes in order to avoid wickedness and sin, and yet, in doing so, I am focusing on my own eternal happiness. It goes back to Galations 1 where I fall into seeking to please man (and myself) rather than serving God.
I think I need to print out Galatians 3:1-5 and hang it up where I can read it every day. I need to remind myself that I did not receive the Spirit by my works, but by hearing of faith. So too, having begun in the Spirit, I cannot be made perfect in the flesh.
I wonder if I am hindering the Spirit in my life (and the life of my children) by focusing too much on works and not walking/living in faith more?
I have no idea or thoughts on anything in Galatians 2. LOL! I read it over and over again and prayed, but nothing.
However, reading into chapter three, I can see why chapter 2 is there.
Christ would have died in vain if righteousness came through the law. I am guessing that the Galatian church has fallen back into old beliefs about following the law in order to be cleaned/saved?
I know that I myself have this ... thing within me that tries to please God through my works. And I must admit that a part of me starts feeling that I have to work in order to be saved.
Paul would call me foolish. Not once, but TWICE. Taken from the Websters 1828 dictionary:
In scripture, wicked; sinful; acting without regard to the divine law and glory, or to one's own eternal happiness.
WOW! I know that I focus on acts sometimes in order to avoid wickedness and sin, and yet, in doing so, I am focusing on my own eternal happiness. It goes back to Galations 1 where I fall into seeking to please man (and myself) rather than serving God.
I think I need to print out Galatians 3:1-5 and hang it up where I can read it every day. I need to remind myself that I did not receive the Spirit by my works, but by hearing of faith. So too, having begun in the Spirit, I cannot be made perfect in the flesh.
I wonder if I am hindering the Spirit in my life (and the life of my children) by focusing too much on works and not walking/living in faith more?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)