Living in Freedom Having Victory

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, ESV) Once time I was teaching a seminary class on Systematic Theology. The particular lesson was on the theology of the Holy Spirit. I happened to site Galatians chapter 5 verse 16 in the class. IContinue reading “Living in Freedom Having Victory”

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”

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)”

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”

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”