Tag Archives: Galatians

Numbers 19, Galatians 5-6

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In Numbers 19 we read of the sacrifice of the red heifer, an offering made without the camp, a key ingredient in the “water for impurity” used for ritual cleaning of those who have come into contact with the dead. This sacrifice was in a sense outside the law, being offered by Eleazar rather than the high priest. It symbolised some aspects of Christ’s sacrifice, being restricted to animals without blemish and not used as a farm animal. But it was imperfect – the work of producing the water for impurity itself made 3 others unclean until the evening.

In Galatians 5-6 the contrast between the sacrifice of Christ and the ritualised sacrifices of the law is highlighted. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery… neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” For all the special provisions under the law, it could never offer freedom.

But we are “led by the Spirit” rather than the law, exhorted to show the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, having “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”. So let us “keep in step with the Spirit… and let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up”.

 

 

Galatians 3-4

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Paul describes the hope that we, as Gentiles, have through Christ.  We have access to the same hope as Abraham, to be blessed by God. “Those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith”.  This promise is made by faith in Christ Jesus to those that believe.

We’ve been adopted as children of God, as heirs along with Christ. We are no longer slaves to a law of bondage that offers only death. We’re now “children of promise”, children of the “free woman” that represents the freedom we have in Christ to serve God through love rather than commandment.

Let’s follow the faith of Abraham, demonstrating the same faith, trust and love of God that Abraham did throughout his life.

 

Galatians 5-6

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“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery”. This is one of Paul’s main points in Galatians. We’ve been set free from slavery to sin, offered an inheritance in the house of God as joint-heirs. “Through love serve one another” is Paul’s guidance for us.

“Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith”. This is how we show our love for God.

1 Chronicles 17, Galatians 3-4

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David’s attitude in 1 Chron 17 is an amazing example for us. He wants to do everything possible to honour his God, and recognised the disparity between his house and the temporary dwelling of the ark of the covenant. Even though God denied David the opportunity to build the temple, David still threw himself into the preparation for the building, so that Solomon could build it as soon as possible.

We also read of David approaching God in overwhelming thankfulness, despite his desire to build God a temple being denied. David’s desire was that God’s “name will be established and magnified forever”, regardless of personal involvement. This should be our attitude too. Often events in life do not turn out the way we envisage, yet we have to trust that God is doing what is best for us, and helping us to glorify Him in the most effective way, even if that means us working behind the scenes to prepare for the more prominent efforts of others.

David mentions in his prayer that God had redeemed Israel, choosing them to be His people for ever. We’ve been offered the chance to be part of that people. Let us live by faith, just as David and Paul did, knowing that God is in control and has called us to be His heirs.

Galatians 1-2

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Paul describes Jesus Christ as the one “who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age”.  This deliverance is freely offered to us, the gospel message revealed to Paul directly from Jesus Christ.

There is a logical response to this offer of deliverance. Paul encourages us to “live to God”, as he did. “The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Let us similarly live a life seeking approval from God, allowing Christ to live in us.

Numbers 17-18, Proverbs 13, Galatians 3-4

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Such a contrast between Numbers and the ritual sacrifices and cleanness that formed a key part of the Law of Moses, and Galatians, where “the righteous shall live by faith”. We’re so blessed to have been offered life through Christ, rather than condemnation under the law, to have an inheritance based on God’s promise.

Solomon writes “whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded”. Knowledge of God is important to appreciate all that He has done for us, and to understand that “we are not children of the slave but of the free woman”, just as the Galatians needed to understand the true gospel.

Proverbs 12, Galatians 1-2

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We have access to the gospel, which is not a fabrication of man, but a divine source of hope and comfort. It’s based on the sacrifice of Christ, “who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age”.

Paul gave up his former way of life, that he might live to God. He could say that he “lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  We have that same hope, and same obligation. As Solomon said, “In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.”

Leviticus 14

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Leviticus 14 describes the elaborate rituals under the Law of Moses for ritually cleansing lepers and houses. Complicated procedures involving various sacrifices. Massive contrast to the freedom and grace we have through Christ. “By works of the law no one shall be justified” says Paul.

We are justified through our faith, demonstrated in our lives. We live that way because of “the Son of God, who loved [us] and gave himself for [us].” We have been set free from the slavery of rituals that offer nothing but condemnation, so that we can live a life of “faith working through love.” So lets stand fast, and “not grow weary of doing good”, knowing that in due season we can reap the reward of eternal life.