Tag Archives: bible

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”

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”

Faith Brings Hope

“But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, ‘Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.’” (Galatians 4:26–27,Continue reading “Faith Brings Hope”

A Tale of Two Cities

“Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.”Continue reading “A Tale of Two Cities”

Born Again to Freedom

“For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants.” (GalatiansContinue reading “Born Again to Freedom”

Spiritual Anguish – Galatians 4:18-20

“It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” (Galatians 4:18–19, ESV) Oh, the pain of child rearing. When I was young, IContinue reading “Spiritual Anguish – Galatians 4:18-20”

Motives – Galatians 4:16-17

“So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.” (Galatians 4:16–17, NASB95) In life we do things for a reason. Behind the reason is a motive. Motives are very important. However, there are goodContinue reading “Motives – Galatians 4:16-17”

Why Abandon the Perfect Gift

“But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?” (Galatians 4:9, ESV) It is Christmas time. It is a time where we exchange gifts.Continue reading “Why Abandon the Perfect Gift”

Oneness – Galatians 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, ESV) A Pew Research Center report from January 18, 2011 indicated at 75% of Americans are active in one kind of group or another. Many are activeContinue reading “Oneness – Galatians 3:28”