No Other Gospel

Galatians 5: 1

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5: 1 will be our theme verse over the next few weeks as we consider the Gospel as presented by Paul to the churches of Galatia. It was Christ and Christ alone who set us free to live in (what else) FREEDOM. This is not just some kind of abstract idea or concept. Today, in Christ, we can live in freedom from our past life of sin, freedom from our failures and experience freedom to live a life wholeheartedly pursuing the one who freed us.

What keeps us from a life of Freedom in Christ? In his first epistle John warns about the threat from outside the church referring to the love of the world. But for the churches in Galatia, the challenge to the Gospel was altogether different. The Galatians had been led away by perverted teaching within the church.

We face the same type of challenge today with at least three different methods of “Jesus Plus” types of teachings.

In the next post, we’ll begin with the first chapter of Galatians. We’ll consider what makes the Gospel the Gospel and how to spot the difference and we’ll consider the life of a person whose life was literally transformed by the power of Christ.

No Clever Schemes

Skeptics are everywhere. From the early days of the church some have questioned the authority of God’s Word.  Not much is different today.

In his second epistle Peter wrote:

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty… knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:16, 20-21

How would the disciples described themselves in the narrative of the Gospels if they were attempting to build a “cleverly devised myth”?

Without a doubt Peter would have edited out some of the more embarrassing moments in his life had the New Testament been a cleverly devised myth.  To the contrary Peter writes that man’s contribution to Scripture was one of obedience as “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Have you chosen to make the Bible your authority?

If you believe that the Bible contains the very words of God to mankind how should you respond?  Will it change the direction of my heart? How will it affect the way I think about the world I live in?  Will it change the direction of my feet as I make choices in my life?

Think Different

So now we’ve made a decision to surrender completely to God. What does it mean in my daily life?

Years ago, Apple computer ran an advertising campaign built around the idea that it is okay to “Think Different.”

While the people at Apple and the world in general would be pleased to applaud for the “outside of the box” thinking of someone like Gandhi, what would they say about you if you decide to refuse to be molded by the culture and experience true spirituality according to Jesus?

Take a look at the scripture in the sidebar. 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 reminds us that many of us have made a decision to surrender that puts us at odds with the old way of doing things.

Now we have been ” washed…sanctified.. and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Again, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

How does this relate to Romans 12? Verse two begins by encouraging us to “not be conformed to this world.” We need to “think different” and, more importantly, be different.

Buried Treasure

My grandmother lived through much of the 20th century and did not have a great trust in the banking system.  Her solution?  She carried two thousand dollars in a small pouch she literally pinned to her clothing.  Recently I learned, she also kept a hidden treasure of 5-10 thousand dollars place in a mason jar in an old well house on the family farm.

Granny wasn’t the first to hide her treasure.  In Matthew 13: 44, Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up.  Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

What could be so valuable that a man would sell out everything?  What would you do?

Surrendering to Godʼs treasure in and through us requires a clear view of the treasures we have prescribed for ourselves. Most peopleʼs lists of things they consider important would include  family and personal peace, comfort, prosperity, security, friends, good health, fulfilling experiences, and reaching their full potential.

Look over the list.  Can any of the treasures conflict with God’s best for us?  God has a plan for us and it is true that God may and often does provide for us some of the things on those lists, but surrendering means that we will not live for the list.

A Surrendered Life

In the song, Take My Life, the composer makes the following plea -

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as You choose.

One reviewer of the song wrote -
“This song made me realize that there are a lot of things in this life that are hard to give up.  It was easy for me to say “I offer my life”, when there was no career, no wealth and no other things I love and no responsibilities, yet I have to give it up.  I know it will be worth it, but it is easier said than done.”

Over the next few installments the blog will focus on Chip Ingram’s study -  “True Spirituality According to Jesus” . In our study of Romans 12, let me ask you to consider what surrender means in real terms.

Take a look a the lyrics of this song.  You’ll find your life in there.  Is my life consecrated to Christ?  Are my hands and feet following His lead?  Is my song for Christ?  Do my words encourage others?  What have I not surrendered today?

Crushing Divisions and Obstacles

Romans 15: 17-20

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

This morning I listened to a podcast teaching about God’s plan for unity among the greater church.  In Paul’s day there were those who focused on doctrines of men and not of God.  What was Paul’s profound suggestion?  Two words.  Avoid them.

How do we recognize them?  “Such persons do not serve our Lord Christ…by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”

In Matthew 10:16 Jesus tells His disciples to be “wise as a serpent and harmless like a dove.”

Here Paul tells us to be “wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” We are to focus on the goodness of God and His provision through His grace and mercy.  On the other hand we should be absolutely innocent to the evil around us.  At work or home, at church or just hanging out with friends.  Our lives should be marked by a growing closeness to God.  What’s the result of our obedience?  God will soon “crush Satan under your feet.”

Our job is obedience.  God will take care of the rest.

When Freedom Comes

It has been said that when I was young I told my Mom that “a promise is a promise.”  It was more than something cute a preschool age boy might say.

Romans 15: 8-9

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

Paul reminds us of Jesus’ purpose – to show the truthfulness of God (Remember it is impossible for God to lie-Hebrews 6:18)by confirming the promises given since Adam and now we are to Rejoice and give God glory for His mercy.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard a song called When Freedom Comes written from the viewpoint of Christ.

When Freedom comes.
It will be worth it.
It will be worth it.
When it comes to you…

Cause you’ve got too much on your shoulders.
Too much in your head.
Too much in your heart…that’s poisonous.

Look deep.
I see things that keep you from seeing Me.
My will be done. In everyone.

Cause you’ve got burdens on your shoulders
Lies in your head.
Pain in your heart…that wants you dead.

Spirit open their eyes.
Open their minds.
Open their hearts and help them know…
Truth from a lie
Foe from a friend
That I AM for them!

Because I want
Freedom on their shoulders
Peace in their heads
Love in their hearts.  Again.

We have a reason to sing.  A reason to be filled with joy and peace.  God cannot lie.  Jesus is the Truth.  When we know the Truth, we will be free.  Indeed.

Trials turned to Gold

2 Corinthans 12: 7- 9

7 So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Have you ever wondered what exactly Paul’s “thorn” was?  This week I’ve learned that theologians have been asking the question and supplying answers.  Lots of answers.
Think about the thorn in your life.  Satan’s goal is to harass and torment you – to discourage you.  He wants to paralyze you with fear.  A thorn may be in your flesh like Paul.  Or it may be in your mind; a persistent doubt.  Maybe it’s in your emotions; a grief that will not fade.

But God’s “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Through the years songwriters have helped me express myself during hard times.  Take a minute to read Keith Green’s
Trials Turned to Gold.

He’s brought me here, where things are clear
And trials turn to gold
He shared with me, His victory
He won in days of old

Oh Lord, I don’t deserve
The riches of your word
But You’ve changed my filthy rags
To linen white as snow

The view from here is nothing near
To what it is for You
I tried to see Your plan for me
But I only acted like I knew

Oh Lord forgive the times
I tried to read your mind
Cause you said if I’d be still
Then I would hear your voice

My Lord, my King, my urge to sing
And praise the things above
No words can say the glorious way
You changed me with your love

He’s brought me low, so I could know
The way to reach the heights
To forsake my dreams, my self esteem
And give up all my rights

With each one that I lay down
A jewel’s placed in my crown
Cause His love, the things above
Is all we’ll ever need

He’s brought me here, where things are clear
And trials turn to gold

Walking in Love

What does the freedom I have in Christ mean to the people around me?

Paul continues his teaching on how we should live our lives among other believers especially in the area of diet.

What do you do when you want to spend time with a friend?  Many times, we may invite friends over for something to eat or we may meet others for a meal at a restaurant.

We have some friends who have an issue with any type of pork.  We we visit with them we eat turkey sausage and turkey bacon and we eat some more turkey or something else, but not pork.  Get the picture?

How should we respond?  While I may not share the opinion on bacon and ham, I should not seek to flaunt my freedom to eat what I want.

Paul says, “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.”

Years ago, a friend of mine expressed his freedom to consume a drink with a meal from time to time. He reasoned that the Scripture does not prohibit any alcohol and so he invited a new family of believers to his home for Thanksgiving where he served wine with the meal.

In his desire to express the freedom he experienced with Christ, he didn’t realize the family had a history of alcoholism and as a result, the new family suffered a severe setback in their faith.

In this passage Paul encourages us to “pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding” and “it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”

Think about your influence on your family, friends and those you at work.  Are you encouraging them by your daily walk or could you be causing someone to stumble?

Wake Up!

Recently, Patrina and I have been getting up around 5:00 AM so we can do some exercise at a local gym.  It’s not always easy to get up and get going, but it will be worth it, right?

Romans 12: 11-14

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Paul is calling each of us to be spiritually awake!  Today!  Our ultimate salvation is growing nearer each day we live, so since the restoration of all things is closer let’s live like we mean it.

When Paul writes about putting on light and taking off the darkness he’s not talking about any kind of legalism.  Think about this:  If you really thought today might be the last day you would spend on this earth, in your job or with your family – how you act?

You probably would not be in “orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealosy.” For those of us who believe, we put on Jesus Christ, who changes us daily from the inside out.

Have a great day of being Light in your world.