Paul continues his onesided debate with the Galatians about their temptation to turn back to the Law. When I look at these texts it occurs to me that our relationships often begin with law and progress as they mature towards grace.
When my son-in-law first came dating my daughter, our relationship was all about rules and laws -- poor guy. I imposed very strict rules and standards for him and meeted out severe disapproval if not corpral punishment when he failed my rigorous standards.
When Paul married my daughter everything between us changed. he stepped into my family and under my umbrella of protection. Now our relationship is all about grace and grandchildren!
Why do the galatians desire to return to law instead of grace? Why do I wander that way? This baffles Paul and truthfully it baffles me, about me! I want to live a s a friend of Christ and as an adopted son! Lord, save me from wandering back and sitting under law and inflicting law on others. help me, I am weak.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Galatians 3
Oh Boy!!! This is where Paul gets angry and I receive the chewing out I need. I suffer from the disease of Galatianitis. I, like the church in Galatia, try to complete my salvation or at least my faith journey though my good works.
Paul is furious with the church in Galatia or perhaps he is frightened for them like a father is angry and frightened when his children wander into harms way after the have been warned and should know better.
The salvation the Galatians have found comes by grace and now they have been deceived into believing that the rest of their journey is dependent on their hard work. Paul is shocked, he says "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! 2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? 4 Did you experience so much for nothing?--if it really was for nothing. 5 Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?" Galatians 3:1-5 NRSV.
I find myself returning to these verses over and over again and trying to learn and internalize the message Paul is conveying. For some reason I seem determined to complete the race I have begun by grace in my own strength! And guess what, it never ends well! O foolish Pastor Bill!
Do you realize friend that we are saved by grace, we live by grace and we will die into grace? The works God has prepared for us to do are only doable by grace. Today I will rest in Christ. No, this does not mean I will stay in bed or that I will do nothing, it means I will allow God's grace to move me and move through me. Lord, help me learn this important life changing call to grace.
Paul is furious with the church in Galatia or perhaps he is frightened for them like a father is angry and frightened when his children wander into harms way after the have been warned and should know better.
The salvation the Galatians have found comes by grace and now they have been deceived into believing that the rest of their journey is dependent on their hard work. Paul is shocked, he says "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! 2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? 4 Did you experience so much for nothing?--if it really was for nothing. 5 Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?" Galatians 3:1-5 NRSV.
I find myself returning to these verses over and over again and trying to learn and internalize the message Paul is conveying. For some reason I seem determined to complete the race I have begun by grace in my own strength! And guess what, it never ends well! O foolish Pastor Bill!
Do you realize friend that we are saved by grace, we live by grace and we will die into grace? The works God has prepared for us to do are only doable by grace. Today I will rest in Christ. No, this does not mean I will stay in bed or that I will do nothing, it means I will allow God's grace to move me and move through me. Lord, help me learn this important life changing call to grace.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Galatians 2
Paul's account of his visit to Jerusalem to present his ministry to the leaders there is very interesting. The church in Jerusalem was being led at that time by James the brother of Jesus and John and Cephas. They listened to Paul and then extended the right hand of fellowship to him and commissioned him to service among the Gentiles.
It fascinates me that Peter, the Big Fisherman and likely the most coarse of the apostles is sent to the refined Jews, and Paul the Pharisee by training is sent to the Gentiles. I guess God often uses us in the least likely places!
Interesting too is the confrontation that Paul has with Peter when he detects Peter's hypocrisy in his dealing with the Gentiles. It seems that when just the Gentiles were around Peter ate with them and made no distinction between them and himself. When other Jews were present Peter separated himself from the Gentiles. This offended Paul and one account I read had Paul saying to Peter - "HEY!! Is that ham I smell on your breath!?"
If you read closely it is easy to see that these "saints" were just like the saints of today - human beings saved by grace. Not supermen and women, but saved men and women!
Chapter 2 ends with Paul stating succinctly the heart of the gospel he preached and that we are called to share, "For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And 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. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing." Galatians 2:19-21 NRSV.
Lord, help me to neither add nor subtract anything to your Word. Keep me from placing legalistic stumbling blocks in front of people that prevent them from finding salvation in your son. Amen.
It fascinates me that Peter, the Big Fisherman and likely the most coarse of the apostles is sent to the refined Jews, and Paul the Pharisee by training is sent to the Gentiles. I guess God often uses us in the least likely places!
Interesting too is the confrontation that Paul has with Peter when he detects Peter's hypocrisy in his dealing with the Gentiles. It seems that when just the Gentiles were around Peter ate with them and made no distinction between them and himself. When other Jews were present Peter separated himself from the Gentiles. This offended Paul and one account I read had Paul saying to Peter - "HEY!! Is that ham I smell on your breath!?"
If you read closely it is easy to see that these "saints" were just like the saints of today - human beings saved by grace. Not supermen and women, but saved men and women!
Chapter 2 ends with Paul stating succinctly the heart of the gospel he preached and that we are called to share, "For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And 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. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing." Galatians 2:19-21 NRSV.
Lord, help me to neither add nor subtract anything to your Word. Keep me from placing legalistic stumbling blocks in front of people that prevent them from finding salvation in your son. Amen.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Galatians 1
As we start this new week we also start a new book! This week please read through Paul's letter to the church in Galatia with me. Monday -- Galatians 1, Tuesday -- Galatians 2, Wednesday -- Galatians 3, Thursday -- Galatians 4, and Friday -- Galatians 5.
It has long been my opinion and observation that Paul's letter to the Galatian Christians is his most angry letter. Instead of his standard formula of greeting and words of encouragement, Paul jumps right into the harsh words by verse 6 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- "
Paul's anger is motivated, in my opinion, by his fear that the saints in Galatia are losing the base of their faith - salvation as a gift from God through Grace, and are exchanging it for the works righteousness being offered to them by a group I will refer to as "Judaisers". This group of people followed closely behind Paul's mission journey and tried to add to the Gospel message that Paul preached a demand that converts also adhere to the Jewish Law. Paul sees the new church floundering as they are tempted to add these requirements to the doctrine that has led to their salvation. Paul bolsters his credibility with the church by reminding them that the Gospel he preached came from God and has been approved by the Jerusalem leadership.
I wonder if Paul were to write a letter to me today if he would be angry. Have we added to the simple Gospel of salvation by grace by saying some folks are in and some are out of God's grace because of their sins? I pray that we will all take this opportunity to re-examine the faith we seek to live. Where does your salvation spring from? Is it Grace or Grace +???
It has long been my opinion and observation that Paul's letter to the Galatian Christians is his most angry letter. Instead of his standard formula of greeting and words of encouragement, Paul jumps right into the harsh words by verse 6 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- "
Paul's anger is motivated, in my opinion, by his fear that the saints in Galatia are losing the base of their faith - salvation as a gift from God through Grace, and are exchanging it for the works righteousness being offered to them by a group I will refer to as "Judaisers". This group of people followed closely behind Paul's mission journey and tried to add to the Gospel message that Paul preached a demand that converts also adhere to the Jewish Law. Paul sees the new church floundering as they are tempted to add these requirements to the doctrine that has led to their salvation. Paul bolsters his credibility with the church by reminding them that the Gospel he preached came from God and has been approved by the Jerusalem leadership.
I wonder if Paul were to write a letter to me today if he would be angry. Have we added to the simple Gospel of salvation by grace by saying some folks are in and some are out of God's grace because of their sins? I pray that we will all take this opportunity to re-examine the faith we seek to live. Where does your salvation spring from? Is it Grace or Grace +???
Friday, July 25, 2008
2 Corinthians 13
With this chapter we close this letter to the church in Corinth. It is a less cordial closing than some of Paul's letter, and it seems to contain a threat or at least a warning.
Paul tells the church that when he comes it will not be with his own power and authority, but in the awesome power of Christ Jesus, "I will not be lenient-- since you desire proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful in you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God." 2 Cor. 13:2b-4 NRSV.
Paul does finally close with a gracious word, so I'll let him close our study! "Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." 2 Cor. 13:11-13 NRSV.
Paul tells the church that when he comes it will not be with his own power and authority, but in the awesome power of Christ Jesus, "I will not be lenient-- since you desire proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful in you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God." 2 Cor. 13:2b-4 NRSV.
Paul does finally close with a gracious word, so I'll let him close our study! "Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." 2 Cor. 13:11-13 NRSV.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
2 Corinthians 12
Paul continues the "boasting" from chapter 11 by telling of "a friend" who was caught up into heaven 14 years ago. His method of telling the story and the words he uses has led theologians to speculate that the "friend" was in fact the Apostle Paul himself. I am sooooo curious about this experience and what he saw. Paul makes it worse by saying he, "was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat." 2 Cor. 12:4 NRSV. I guess we'll have to wait and see for our selves!
Paul next speaks of a thorn in the flesh that was given to him to keep him from becoming to elated - to full of himself. Paul said he had prayed 3 times asking God to remove the affliction, but God's response had been, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9 NRSV. This text was very important to me as I was growing up.
My Uncle Baden was a United Methodist pastor (actually he was a Methodist - the United part did not come along until after he retired!). He was famous in my mind for being my father's hero, and for telling neat stories at our family reunions. He told a story one year that I will never forget about a walk he took with my father when my dad was only 8 years old. The 2 of them walked up the gorge that runs between Boonville and the Town of Western where they lived. As they entered the gorge they came across a sign painter and they were curious about what he would paint on the sign. Sign painters in those days - circa 1924 - were their days version of advertising companies and billboards today. The sign painter would not paint while they were watching, so they did not see the sign until later in the day on their way home. The sign read, "God's Grace is Sufficient For You". My Uncle spent the rest of the walk explaining to his younger brother (my dad) what this sign meant.
A few nights later after my Uncle had returned to seminary at Syracuse University my father woke up in the middle of the night screaming. He was in intense pain from the onset of polio. The disease moved up his left leg and into his stomach muscles. The doctor came and told my grand parents that he would likely die by morning if the polio hit his heart and lungs. The family sent for their other son and he returned from seminary and kept vigil at his brothers bedside, wiping his fevered brow and whispering to him over and over the words from the sign, "God's Grace is Sufficient For You". My father survived, and one of his life verses became this text from 2 Corinthians 12. I can witness that in his life this verse held true! Through all of his suffering and pain, all of the joy and celebration God's grace never failed him.
Perhaps today you are in a place where you are struggling. Perhaps you have petitioned God like Paul did only to have the situation continue - or worsen! God's grace is sufficient for you today my friend. God will never leave you nor forsake you. In the midst of your storm, look to God and God may chose to calm you instead of the waves.
Paul next speaks of a thorn in the flesh that was given to him to keep him from becoming to elated - to full of himself. Paul said he had prayed 3 times asking God to remove the affliction, but God's response had been, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9 NRSV. This text was very important to me as I was growing up.
My Uncle Baden was a United Methodist pastor (actually he was a Methodist - the United part did not come along until after he retired!). He was famous in my mind for being my father's hero, and for telling neat stories at our family reunions. He told a story one year that I will never forget about a walk he took with my father when my dad was only 8 years old. The 2 of them walked up the gorge that runs between Boonville and the Town of Western where they lived. As they entered the gorge they came across a sign painter and they were curious about what he would paint on the sign. Sign painters in those days - circa 1924 - were their days version of advertising companies and billboards today. The sign painter would not paint while they were watching, so they did not see the sign until later in the day on their way home. The sign read, "God's Grace is Sufficient For You". My Uncle spent the rest of the walk explaining to his younger brother (my dad) what this sign meant.
A few nights later after my Uncle had returned to seminary at Syracuse University my father woke up in the middle of the night screaming. He was in intense pain from the onset of polio. The disease moved up his left leg and into his stomach muscles. The doctor came and told my grand parents that he would likely die by morning if the polio hit his heart and lungs. The family sent for their other son and he returned from seminary and kept vigil at his brothers bedside, wiping his fevered brow and whispering to him over and over the words from the sign, "God's Grace is Sufficient For You". My father survived, and one of his life verses became this text from 2 Corinthians 12. I can witness that in his life this verse held true! Through all of his suffering and pain, all of the joy and celebration God's grace never failed him.
Perhaps today you are in a place where you are struggling. Perhaps you have petitioned God like Paul did only to have the situation continue - or worsen! God's grace is sufficient for you today my friend. God will never leave you nor forsake you. In the midst of your storm, look to God and God may chose to calm you instead of the waves.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
2 Corinthians 11
Paul continues in chapters 11 and 12 to show his humanity and frailty, but we also catch perhaps the best look at his sacrifice fro the Gospel message. Paul's life had been set on a course for power and ease. He was one of the top trained Pharisees in Jerusalem and he was on a path for great things within Judaism. his encounter with the risen Lord changed all of that.
He is contending now for the heart of the Church in Corinth against other preachers and teachers - perhaps Judaisers. These were Jewish converts to a form of Christianity that demanded adherence to the Mosaic Law in order to receive the salvation won for us on the cross by Jesus. Paul contends with them and here he puts his record of service up against theirs. He rightly calls it madness and says, "What I am saying in regard to this boastful confidence, I am saying not with the Lord's authority, but as a fool;" 2 Cor. 11:17 NRSV.
What an impressive litany of suffering Paul has on his resume! "Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked. And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches." 2 Cor. 11:24-28 NRSV. WOW. I am humbled when I consider the lives that many of the saints then and now endured for the Gospel and the relative ease in which i live (and I sometimes complain!).
I received a few emails from my friend and fellow pastor from Uganda over the weekend, Davis Mutouvo. Davis is hoping to come and visit us next year and may bring another pastor who walks in ministry with him. I hear the same gentle humility in Davis that I hear in Paul. they inspire me to lay aside the burdens of self and lean in to the privilege of sharing the Gospel. Lord, help me!
He is contending now for the heart of the Church in Corinth against other preachers and teachers - perhaps Judaisers. These were Jewish converts to a form of Christianity that demanded adherence to the Mosaic Law in order to receive the salvation won for us on the cross by Jesus. Paul contends with them and here he puts his record of service up against theirs. He rightly calls it madness and says, "What I am saying in regard to this boastful confidence, I am saying not with the Lord's authority, but as a fool;" 2 Cor. 11:17 NRSV.
What an impressive litany of suffering Paul has on his resume! "Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked. And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches." 2 Cor. 11:24-28 NRSV. WOW. I am humbled when I consider the lives that many of the saints then and now endured for the Gospel and the relative ease in which i live (and I sometimes complain!).
I received a few emails from my friend and fellow pastor from Uganda over the weekend, Davis Mutouvo. Davis is hoping to come and visit us next year and may bring another pastor who walks in ministry with him. I hear the same gentle humility in Davis that I hear in Paul. they inspire me to lay aside the burdens of self and lean in to the privilege of sharing the Gospel. Lord, help me!
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