Author Archives: Steve Hankins, Th.D.

Start Well Continue Well

“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you.” (Galatians 5:7–8, ESV) One time I was watching a track and field event on television. It was a distance race. One of the runners was way out in front. As he rounded the bend forContinue reading “Start Well Continue Well”

What Matters

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6, ESV) When I worked in field engineering, I would very often have to travel by plane to various destinations. When I got to the destination airport, I would rent a car. At the rental area IContinue reading “What Matters”

What are we waiting for?

“For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.” (Galatians 5:5, ESV) None of us like to wait. We tent to be an impatient bunch, or perhaps it is just me. As I drive down the road, I experience so many people are breaking the speed limit, weaving inContinue reading “What are we waiting for?”

Oil and Water

“You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” (Galatians 5:4, ESV) Certain things will not mix together. On my boat, I have a filter that is designed to remove water from the gasoline. Basically, it is a simple device. The filter has a bowlContinue reading “Oil and Water”

Debtors’ Prison

“Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.” (Galatians 5:2–3, ESV) Up until the mid-1800’s, Western Europe had established debtor’s prisons. They were locked work housesContinue reading “Debtors’ Prison”

A Freeing Relationship

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, ESV) Alexis De Tocqueville, a French philosopher visited America in 1831 to understand democracy in our country. He has often been quoted as saying, “America is great because America is good, and ifContinue reading “A Freeing Relationship”

Casting Out (Galatians 4:30-31)

“But what does the Scripture say? ‘Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.’” (Galatians 4:30, ESV) On occasion in life, we must do the most uncomfortable things. One of these is cleaning up messes. Right after HurricaneContinue reading “Casting Out (Galatians 4:30-31)”

Persecution and Conflict

“But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.” (Galatians 4:29, ESV) In October this year, 2023, we watched news reports of a horrific scene in Israel. It was on the seventh of October that HamasContinue reading “Persecution and Conflict”

Born Free (Galatians 4:28, 31)

“Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.” . . . “So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.” (Galatians 4:28, 31, ESV) In 1966 a movie came out titled “Born Free.” It was based on a real-life couple, Joy and George Adamson, who raised an orphaned lionContinue reading “Born Free (Galatians 4:28, 31)”