Yesterday, we looked at the main issue in Galatians--how quickly the Galatians defected from the God who called them in grace.
The Galatians were swayed by another gospel, by another version of the good news--the gospel of the law. Many believed that is what everyone needed; they believed the law is and should remain the main thing. It's what will ultimately save.
For Paul, the gospel is nothing more or less than the good news of God's kingdom. The phrase he uses in Galatians is New Creation: "For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything!" (Galatians 6.15). This New Creation/Kingdom has begun and it will come in its fullness. Between these two advents, the church is called to witness to what God intends for the entire world. This is the gospel; there is no other.
The question remains, what does it mean to be a community of this gospel? What other gospels might we be tempted to live for that keep us from representing what God envisions for the world? For the Galatians it was the law, but for us it might be something else. Thoughts?
Peace.
8 comments:
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Bear: (having power and authority to uphold)
Fulfil: (to accomplish in word and deed)
The law of Christ: (letter and intent of law giver who is Christ Jesus)
Please read Isa 46 fully. In my opinion, the message in it's purity is vs. 5 of this chapter: "I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver (rescue/save/redeem) you." Now that is Pure Gospel!
Look closely and understand how the false gospels are defined and characterized by God in Isa 46:
They do not have authority or power to save, hear, or carry any burden.
They are fashioned by the will and desires of creatures Not The Creator.
The worshipers of false gospels fashion guild on their handyworks/beliefs and attempt to carry their splendor of falshood/ignorance on their shoulders in pride to show they are equal to God or to earn their god's favor.
Isa 53:
"Surly he has BORN our griefs and CARRIED our sorrows."
"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastizement upon him has made us whole, and with his stripes we are heald."
"and The Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all."
"yet it was the will of The Lord to bruise him, He has put him to greif. When he makes himself an offering for sin, He shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his day, the will of The Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied."
"By his knowledge shall the righteous one my anointed servant make many to be accounted righteous for He shall BEAR their iniquity"
"He BORE the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors"
Notice how GOD DOES ALL THE WORK!
Now that is Good News!
Eph 2:9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
We need to memorize and digest this whole chapter!
IN CLOSING
Christ in us (filled by his grace life and power) makes it possible for us to BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER's BURDENS, and so FULFIL THE LAW OF CHRIST.
Blessed be your walk with The Lord! If you look closely you will see His footprints! Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone] THE Foundation THE FAITH TO BEAR even TO CARRY and DELIVER those who drink and eat at the table of His Mercy, His Love, His Grace.
Pax Yeshua!
Thank you Brother David for giving space to spout....And Welcome Back!
I like the connection a lot. I've been thinking about idolatry and the other gospel that the Galatians are tempted to embrace. Idols don't carry; they don't love; they don't empower. But God empowers. God loves. God gives up his life for us!
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