The blood of Christ provided the greatest initial and continual release of God’s power the earth will ever be involved in. The disciples of Jesus wrote that the blood of Christ reconciled humans to God. The crucifixion of Christ and his resurrection were well known and distinctly preached years before Paul was saved. But, it was Paul who was given a new message that opened up additional mysteries of God. His new revelation was that the power of Christ’s death could now live inside of a person. It may not seem important to unbelievers but the human/divine personal relationship had been terminated in the “fall”. However, kinship is now possible between God and his dearly loved creation. The Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age. (Gal 1:4) Christ dealt with the past of all humans but the announcement here is that we are about to be delivered from “the PRESENT evil age”.
Next, we see that something special had happened to Paul. I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. (Gal 1:11,12) This new part of the gospel was not being taught in Judaism or Christianity. He had the difficult task of telling people that observing their religion was no longer valid before God. It was now required that in partnership with the Spirit of God, people would invite the Spirit to live inside them on the condition that there spirit would continually yield to the will of God. But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me. (Gal 1:15,16) Paul’s religion had changed when the Spirit came into him and now his task was to teach others about this new life with God. His complete life was now the Son living in him.
This tough Jew had a fight on his hands. The religious leaders of the day insisted that they had the truth about God and no one could change their minds. When he went to Jerusalem, Paul tells us, Some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. (Gal 2:4,5) In the original church at Jerusalem where Jesus had died, the men in charge for about 10 or 20 years were running the church the way they wanted it. They had returned to the Law and were not allowing the Spirit to have control of their actions. Another time in Antioch, Paul was forced to scold Peter, a person that had lived with Jesus for three years. When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong … because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. (Gal 2:11)
We are unable to keep any kind of law completely therefore, we are forced to find a better way to be righteous. This is what Paul is trying to teach believers. We… know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. (but) If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners…(what can we do?)---I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Gal 2:15-20 Although people are told again and again that they no longer live but their life now belongs to the Spirit, they continue to try to do religion their own way. Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? (Gal 3:3) The “goal” of course, is to please God and go to live with Him someday.
Somehow, we must learn to have faith that the Spirit lives in us and that his purpose is for our righteousness. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham (righteousness by faith) might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Gal 3:14) It is the Spirit of Christ that brings into our life everything that the power of Christ blood provided so long ago. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Gal 3:25-27) When the Spirit brings all that Christ provided into a human we begin to understand why some of God’s smallest servants are involved in some of the greatest spiritual events in history.
Apparently, having the Spirit to guide us is something that does not happen over night. Sometimes the people in the church have there minds on worldly things and the Spirit cannot bring them to maturity. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! Gal 4:19,20 We see here that this church was at a very low point spiritually and Paul wanted to witness their rebirth with the Spirit of Christ redirecting their life. He must have witnessed their original acceptance of the Savior because he is “again” in pains for them. You, my brothers, were called to be free. (Gal 5:13) Unfortunately, we live in a religious culture that claims there is nothing to do but sit back and have faith. The Scriptures are trying to teach us that our freedom is only to be used for a righteous life in the Spirit.
Some people are unfamiliar with what a righteous life looks like. We are given a very good definition right here. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-25) Paul tells us repeatedly that there are many requirements that a Christian is responsible to carry out. We see here that he tells us to stay in step with the Spirit as God directs our life. By keeping in step with the Spirit, Christ will be formed in us, with the result being that we will have clothed ourselves with Christ.
There is a great reward for giving your life to the Spirit. The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:8-10) It tells us plainly in this passage that pleasing the Spirit that lives in us is the way we will reap eternal life. Reaping eternal life will take a great deal of power and the Spirit of God has the power because he raised our Savior from death itself. My friends, let the Spirit direct your life. It will be worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment