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?”

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”

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)”

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)”

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”

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”

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”