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No Other Gospel � Galatians 1:6-10 (Taken from BibleGateway, NIV)

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live
in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel� 7 which is really no
gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying
to pervert the gospel of Christ.8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should
preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God�s
curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to
you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God�s curse!
Thoughts on Galatians Chapter 1:6-10

I underline passages that speak to me when I am reading. One time, a friend

criticized me for this, saying that you only would underline famous passages. (It�s
horrible that I would remember something like this.) Now, however, I have a great
reason to underline passages that speak to me; I know that when I was reading this
passage, oh so long ago (I don�t know when), I only saw one thing � Paul talking
about having no other gospel except the gospel that he is teaching. At that time,
it was important for me to tell other people that they were wrong and I was right;
their interpretation of the Bible was wrong, and mine was right.

Now, I understand that some of the things that I wanted to argue about might have
come from biased views that singled out one verse, while disregarding the entirety
of scripture. This is not right. I believe in the message preached by Paul; I am
not disagreeing with Paul here. This is me saying that I feel a bit of shame about
why I underlined that scripture. I was finding ways to point out the flaws in other
believers�s way of living out their faith.

Now, I am very slow to point out flaws in a person�s beliefs. This has been a
growth process that started while I was at Pepperdine. There, I was exposed to some
amazing Christians who were not from my faith background. I am so thankful for
Pepperdine and what it is has taught me about so many things, not least among them
that Christians from all faith backgrounds are seeking the truth and many of them
live out their faiths in amazing ways!
Paul Called by God � Galatians 1:11-24

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of
human origin.12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I
received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I
persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism
beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the
traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother�s womb
and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might
preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human
being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was,
but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.

18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas[b]
and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles�only James,
the Lord�s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no
lie.

21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of
Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: �The man who formerly
persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.� 24 And they
praised God because of me.
Thoughts on Galatians 1:11-24

This is the passage that I underlined today. Paul is sharing his credentials for
the message that he is preaching, and they are very impressive. He states that he
didn�t learn from anyone before he started preaching the Gospel. This man who
contributed so much to our knowledge of how to live a Godly life had no contact
with any of the apostles of Jesus before he started preaching. I never focused on
that before. Those are some credentials for having the authentic message from
Christ himself.
Paul Opposes Cephas � Galatians 2:11-21

11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood
condemned.12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the
Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from
the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.
13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even
Barnabas was led astray.

14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I
said to Cephas in front of them all, �You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile
and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish
customs?

15 �We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not
justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have
put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[d] Christ and
not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be
justified.

17 �But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among
the sinners, doesn�t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I
rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

19 �For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have
been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I
now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could
be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!�[e]
Thoughts on Galatians 2:11-21

Peter was afraid about what his peers thought of him. On one hand, I love that this
is written about because it exemplifies one of the reasons why I love the Bible, it
is full of a lot of imperfect people. On the other hand, it seems crazy! Peter was
willing to die for his faith, but he wouldn�t stand up to his peers who wanted to
keep following the law. He was diminishing the value of Jesus�s sacrifice because
he was too afraid to challenge other believers. He was afraid of their opinions. In
life we have to be more like Paul. We have to stand up for what is right. It
doesn�t matter what people say about us.

This passage is so powerful because it is what makes Christianity different from

other world religions, we have grace and we are not justified by works. That is the
main point of Jesus�s death. We are freed from the idea that we can work our way to
heaven. It does, however, seem like this idea has not gone away. People still like
to come up with a list of reasons why they are definitely going to heaven. It was
why I was so fixated on the passage in chapter 1: 1-9. The list kept popping up in
my mind too. Your list does not need to be long. It only needs one name on it:
Jesus.
Galatians Chapter 3
Sunday, December 15, 2019
The Law and the Promise � Galatians 3:22 � 26

22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that
what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to
those who believe.

23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoner by the law, locked up until the
faith should be revealed.

24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by
faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of
the law.
Thoughts on Galatians 3:22 � 26

This again is reiterating the idea that if you live by that checklist and you cling
to that checklist, you are a prisoner to sin. Jesus died to release us from the
prison of the law. Why do we keep putting ourselves back in that prison? Allowing
Jesus to take control is hard. Letting faith and belief grant us justification is
hard for us to accept because we like that checklist. That checklist is clear. We
crave control, and yet Jesus is saying that this is out of your control, and that�s
a good thing. I took it from you. Belief in me is what justifies you. You don�t
have to work your way to heaven. Let it go.

That doesn�t mean that Christ promotes sin, as Paul stated earlier in Galatians
2:17 (above). It doesn�t mean that we don�t have things that we do as Christians.
Following Jesus�s example is important because as a Christ follower, that is what
you do. There is a list of behaviors that you should follow. However, we don�t
cling to that list. It is not what we look to for justification. We look to Jesus
for justification. We look to the sacrifice. You cling to the cross and the promise
that that gives, not the list of behaviors you have compiled.
One in Christ � Galatians 3:26 � 29

26 So you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who
were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither
Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are
all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham�s seed,
and heirs according to the promise.
Thoughts on Galatians 3:26 � 29

First of all, what unites them? Their faith in Jesus Christ through baptism.
Baptism is seen as an optional thing today by many faith backgrounds, but it
doesn�t seem like it was optional in the early church. The believers were baptized
and �clothed in Christ�.

We are all one in Christ. This is so hard for people to accept even 2,000 years
later. I think that as humans we like to have a hierarchy. We like to think that we
are better than someone else, and yet Paul is saying that we are all the same if we
are baptized into Christ. That is awesome! It is what we should focus on. We all
can agree that Jesus is awesome and that we believe in him. This is what should
bring us together whatever our differences are in doctrine.
Galatians Chapter 4
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Hagar and Sarah � Galatians 4:21 � 31

21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law
says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and
the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to
the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine
promise.
24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants.
One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is
Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present
city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the
Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:

�Be glad, barren woman,

you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband.�[e]

28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that
time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of
the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? �Get rid of the
slave woman and her son, for the slave woman�s son will never share in the
inheritance with the free woman�s son.�[f] 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we
are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Thoughts on Galatians 4:21 � 31

Galatians seems to be the book that is all about grace. Let�s just call it the
grace book. Remembering grace is not just something that Paul just mentions. He is
using multiple ways to highlight the importance of grace in this book. This time he
highlights a story from the Old Testament, the story of Hagar and Sarah.
The law at the center means stagnation and decline.

It is interesting to me that he lifts up Hagar as being the example of slavery

because we think of Hagar as the mother of Ishmael. Ishmael is who the Muslims
think of as their forefather, and when I think about Islam today, which was not
around when Paul was writing Galatians, I think of a people that continue living
under a law. Their law is so strict that it is all the people can identify with.
Furthermore, it is all we can identify them with. This law does not open the
culture or religion up to growth and renewal. It squelches everything and
stagnates. Many people are dying for change, but it is hard to change when your
whole culture is based on a law that inhibits growth.
Christ at the center means growth and change.

Christianity on the other hand, looks to Christ as our founder. Because we have
Christ at the center, change is possible.

As G. K. Chesterton put it in his book, �Orthodoxy�, (Affiliate Link to Amazon.com)

It is �centrifugal: it breaks out. �The cross, though it has at its heart a

collision and a contradiction, can extend its four arms forever without altering
its shape. Because it has a paradox in its centre it can grow without changing. The
circle returns upon itself and is bound. The cross opens its arms to the four
winds; it is a signpost for free travelers� (Orthodoxy, 33).

We have freedom in Christ. Let us not decided to forsake that freedom for the law
by focusing on the list of what we need to do as followers. Let�s focus on the
grace that only comes through Christ.
Galatians Chapter 5
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Freedom in Christ � Galatians 5:1 � 12

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let
yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,
Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets
himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are
trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen
away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the
righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself
through love.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the
truth?8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 �A
little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.� 10 I am confident in the Lord
that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion,
whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am
still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the
offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they
would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
Thoughts on Galatians 5:1 � 12
I love the theme of the book of Galatians. It really excites me.

This is again reiterating the theme of this book: freedom in Christ through grace.
I find it so exciting to read this book and write my thoughts about it because
growing up I felt like my spiritual life was devoid of hope and passion because of
this very theme. Focusing on the grace that only comes from Jesus is exciting. It
really stirs the soul. Perhaps this is the Spirit at work inside me because the
message is in alignment with truth.

Now, on the other hand, focusing on whether people are following the letter of
doctrine, not even the law that the Jews followed, but the set of rules we have
come up with as a body of believers, eats away at your soul. It is not light and
love. It is judgement and darkness. There is no freedom in focusing on the list of
behaviors we believe are necessary.

I also think it is funny that he says, people who focus on circumcision should just
go ahead and emasculate themselves. That is some strong language, but that is how
strong Paul felt about this issue. Those people and churches who do indeed forsake
grace for a list of rules we need to follow should indeed stop spouting their list.
The need for comparison leads to forgetting grace.

I think it is very hard for people to focus on grace instead of the list of ways
they are saved because as people we thrive on comparison. In everything we do, we
want to compare ourselves. In fact, judgement is a part of the human existence.
There really isn�t any escaping it unless you consciously decide to fight the
impulse, and even then, it will be a constant battle, but a worthy battle to fight.

A natural inclination towards judgement encourages focusing on the list of reasons

you will be saved rather than grace because if you have a list of reasons you�re
saved, it is easy to say that you are saved and someone isn�t, and that is what you
really want to do as a human being. It is easy to judge. Thus, focusing on grace is
a struggle because as humans, we want to compare and to compare, we really need
that list.

If you don�t agree with me on our tendency to want to judge, just listen to your
own thoughts. How many times do you say, �My daughter is�� Isn�t that a comparison?
How many times do you envy what someone else has? Isn�t that a comparison? How many
times do you try to do better than everyone else? Isn�t that your need to be
compared favorably? Judgement is not all bad. I don�t think we would get a lot done
if we couldn�t decide when something is better, but there are times we have to
fight the impulse to judge, and this is one of them.
Life by the Spirit � Galatians 5: 13 -16

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your
freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For
the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: �Love your neighbor as
yourself.�[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be
destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is
contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to
do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the
law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish
ambition, dissensions, factions21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I
warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the
kingdom of God.
Thoughts on Galatians 5: 13 -16
Here�s the List as a Reminder

Paul goes on to say again that you don�t have a free pass to sin if you focus on
grace. Anyone who has committed any sins knows that the Spirit rales on you to stop
sinning. Even those who are not followers of Christ often feel like it�s necessary
to hide acts that fall under the list that Paul gives you. We use other language to
describe sins on this list. We try to justify those sins, but the Spirit is always
there nagging you to change and give up those sins.
Why do you get the list?

Paul does not give you this list to judge others or yourself. He gives you the list
because he wants to remind you what you know in your heart, you need to stay away
from these sins because they are contrary to what God wants for you. They lead to
destruction. Who has not committed at least one sin on that list? Does it mean you
are going to hell if you commit one of those sins? No, it means that you need to
turn away from those sins, ask for forgiveness and accept grace.
Should you confront people about their sin?

Is it my job to tell you to work on those sins? Most of the time, I would say, no.
If you are sinning, you probably know that you shouldn�t be sinning because the
Spirit will convict you. You know in your heart that what you are doing is wrong.
My telling you that you are wrong probably just annoys you and makes me look like a
rule keeper.
Encouraging Others to Sin

There are times that I think people should be confronted for sin, and that when a
person is encouraging others to sin in a body of believers. Paul talks about this
when he talks about removing stumbling blocks in Romans 14. This is where strong
leadership approaching the situation with love and humility is important.
Who is perfect?

Not one single person can say that they have never hated someone or had an impure
thought, and yet, when leaders talk to another person about a sin, they might
approach them from their seat of �perfectness�. Perhaps that leader does not
struggle with that specific sin that he has to address (right now), but that does
not mean that he is holier than the person he must confront.
The Conversation:
Therefore, it is imperative that before someone confronts another about a sin that
leadership and the person in question have a conversation that starts out like
this: �I have struggles in my life that I am working on. The Spirit convicts me
every day to be different. It is tough though because it is in our nature to do
certain things that are contrary to what Jesus wants for us. That being said, I
think it is important to fight sin not just for myself but for others. I know that
if I sin, it affects others in our community. Therefore, I always examine what I am
doing to make sure that it is in alignment with what the Spirit wants for my life.
How can I help you become aligned with what the Spirit wants for your life?
The Fruit of the Spirit � Galatians 5: 22 � 26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Thoughts Galatians 5: 22 � 26

I just love this verse. When I was isolated from my family and going through a very
difficult time, I spent a lot of time writing down the Fruit of the Spirit. The
Fruit of the Spirit are what make this world a wonderful place.

I am more thankful for this list in my life than any other list. If you have a
list, have this list. If we encourage this list instead of discouraging the other
list, our faith communities will be stronger and happier. Let�s focus on the
positive list and build those up so strong that the other list doesn�t make an
appearance!
Galatians Chapter 6
January 5, 2020
Galatians Chapter 6:1-5

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit
should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be
tempted. 2 Carry each other�s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of
Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive
themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in
themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one
should carry their own load.
Thoughts on Galatians Chapter 6:1-5

I guess that I predicted what Paul was going to talk about in this passage since I
ended my thoughts about chapter 5 by talking about confronting people about their
sin. Paul says something similar to me, and ultimately he says that everyone is
responsible for their own faith and conduct. Furthermore, by saying that you should
not compare yourself to others but test your own actions, he is saying you are not
justified because you are better than someone else. Thus, why make the list?
Galatians Chapter 6:9-10

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good
to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Thoughts on Galatians Chapter 6:9-10

We will �reap a harvest if we don�t give up.� This is true of so many things. So
many people give up. They give up when it comes to building good habits,
exercising, eating, pursuing a dream, believing in themselves, praying and so much
more. If we want success however, we can�t give up. That�s the lesson that I have
learned this year. Consistency is what matters the most on on the road to success,
whether that be in the Kingdom of God or business.
Galatians Chapter 6:14-15

14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a]
the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.
Thoughts on Galatians Chapter 6:14-15

Why boast in anything but the cross as a Christian? Paul had a lot of things to
boast about as a Christian. He started many churches, was an apostle of Christ and
wrote all of these awesome letters that we still read today! Therefore, if anyone
had something to boast about as a Christian, it was Paul. So, if anytime I want to
boast about my Christianity or compare myself to others, I will think of Paul and
this quote.

We are a new creation in Christ. If we focus on that, how would we be different?

There would be no need to be focused on the list because you would be so consumed
by the Spirit and grace. Judgement would fall away.

What a great way to end an awesome letter.

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