WEDNESDAY 11-6-13 ~ Megahemes of Galatians ~ LAW … EXPLANATION: A group of Jewish teaches insisted that non-Jewish believers must obey Jewish law & traditional rules. They believed a person was saved by following the Law of Moses (with emphasis on circumcision, the sign of the covenant), in addition to faith in Christ. Paul opposed them by showing that the law can’t save anyone. IMPORTANCE: We can’t be saved by keeping the Old Testament law, even the Ten Commandments. The law served as a guide to point out our need to be forgiven. Christ fulfilled the obligations of the law for us. We must turn to him to be saved. He along can make us right with God. FAITH … EXPLANATION: We are saved from God’s judgment & penalty for sin by God’s gracious gift to us. We receive salvation by faith – trusting in him – not in anything else. Becoming a Christian is in no way based on our initiative, wise choice or good character. We can be right with God only by believing in him. IMPORTANCE: Your acceptance with God comes by believing in Christ alone. You must never add to or twist this truth. We are saved by faith, not by the good that we do. Have you placed your whole trust & confidence in Christ? He alone can forgive you & bring you into a relationship with God. FREEDOM … EXPLANATION: Galatians is our charter of Christian freedom. We are not under the jurisdiction of Jewish laws & traditions nor under the authority of Jerusalem. Faith in Christ brings true freedom from sin & from the futile attempt to be right with God by keeping the law. IMPORTANCE: We are free in Christ & yet freedom is a privilege. We are not free to disobey Christ or practice immorality, but we are free to serve the risen Christ. Let us use our freedom to love & serve, not to do wrong. HOLY SPIRIT … EXPLANATION: We become Christians through the work of the Holy Spirit. He brings new life; even our faith to believe is a gift from Him. The Holy Spirit instructs, guides, leads & gives us power. He ends our bondage to evil desires & he creates in us love, joy, peace & many other wonderful changes. IMPORTANCE: When the Holy Spirit leads us, he produces his fruit in us. Just as we are saved by faith, not deeds, we also grow by faith. By believing, we can have the Holy Spirit within us, helping us live for Christ. Obey Christ by following the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 12:39:59 +0000