OUR FATHER WHO MAKES US A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST

In the book of Galatians chapter 6 verses 11 - 18, the Apostle Paul, approaching the end of his letter to the Galatians, notes that his personal handwriting is in large font but he turned his focus back to the primary issue that the Galatians were being confounded by.

They were being persuaded by false teachers that to attain righteousness, they needed physical circumcision. Paul attributted this conduct to the instinct of avoiding persecution for the cross of Christ which asserts that there is no route to righteousness other than faith in what Christ did for us there. The cross is the sentence of death upon our flesh so that the things of the world are dead to us as well.

Paul notes that even those who were circumcised did not keep the law in full and were only using their influnce over those who they were compelling to be circumcised as a badge of honor for themselves.

He tells the Galatians that that in Christ, circumcision or otherwise gains nothing. In Christ, there is only the new creation in which the categories of physical circumcision are irrelevant.

11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Paul blesses those who are ensconced in truth of salvation by faith alone and he blesses the Israel that is in God.

Paul then concludes his letter by instructing the Galatians that they should not trouble him because he had bourne the sufferings of the cross upon his body and blesses them by asking that the grace of the Lord Jesus be with their spirits.

Amen.

10

OUR FATHER WHO IS NOT MOCKED

In chapter 6 of his letter to the book of Galatians from verses 1 - 10, the Apostle Paul changes subjects. He had been talking about the need to walk in the spirit to avoid fulfilling the works of the flesh and now he adresses those who are successfully walking in the spirit on how to help those who are being influenced by the flesh.

He first advises them to gently take the responsibility for the care of their fellow believers but to be cautious lest because it makes them vulnerable to temptations.

He advises them not to think too highly of themselves because they could mis-value themselves but he tells them to examine their own work to make sure they are fulfilling the things they were called to do for each person has a set of functions that they are expected to fulfill as individuals.

For those receive insight into the ways of the spiritual walk from others, Paul advises them to share all good things like encouragement and support.

 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Paul warns the Galatians not to be deceived into thinking that there is no consequential difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the spirit. If a man invests his time on the things of the flesh, he will reap corruption. If on the other hand he invests in the things of the spirit, he will reap eternal life.

His encouragement to them is not to stop doing what is good even when it looks like nothing is being gained by it especially good towards the faithful believers.

Amen.

8

OUR FATHER WHO IS PLEASED WHEN WE WALK IN THE SPIRIT

In the book of Galatians chapter 5 verses 16 - 26, the apostle Paul clearly makes the distinction between the works of the flesh and the works of the spirit.

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.                

Paul lists the works of the flesh and the works of the spirit

 Flesh                                                     Spirit

Adultery                                                 Love

Fornication                                           Peace

Uncleaness                                           Longsufering

Lewdnes                                               Kindness

Idolatry                                                  Goodness

Sorcery                                                  Faithfulness

Hatred                                                    Gentleness

Contentions                      

Jealousies    

Outbursts of wrath

Selfish Ambition

Dissensions

Heresies

Envy 

Murders

Drunkeness

Revelries

Conceit

Paul writes that the believers should walk in the spirit because doing so leads to conduct against which there is no law.

If we find ourselves bearing the fruit of the flesh as listed, we can be sure that we are walking in the flesh. In order to yield the fruit of the Spirit, we must live from our spirits.

In the book of Romans chapter 8 verses 5 - 7, Paul writes that a person whose is governed by the flesh will physically do the things of the flesh and yield sin and death while conversely, a person whose mind is governed by the Spirit will desire the things of God and yield life and peace.

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

With the understanding that the flesh is not the physical body but rather the spirit of a person that was corrupted by inheritance from Adam, we who born-again are encouraged to displace the influence of the flesh on our minds with the influence of our new spirita on our minds. 

This means that we must daily connect to our new spirit and perform the functions that nourish and strenthen our new spirits because when we centering our identities in our new spirits rather than letting ourselves operate in the flesh by default, we will find ourselves automatically doing the things that please God rather than being led into the things that our flesh wants to do.

Amen. 

140

OUR FATHER WHO GIVES US LIBERTY

Galatians chapter 5 verses 7 - 15 captures the Apostle Paulˋs challenge to the believers in Galatia to cleave to the truth of the gospel of faith and not to heed the ones who were bringing in contrary doctrines of obligations to follow the law.

Paul told them that the law they were to follow was the law of love which was the ultimate aim of the Mosaic law anyway. 

He introduces the concept of the ˋoffence of the crossˋ to them to show them how following the truth will necessarily evoke persecution from those who are not following the Spirit. He points out to his readers that if he were preaching the law, he would not have incurred the persecution he was recieving.

7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Paul urges the believers not to use their freedom as an opportunity to pursue the purposes of the flesh but rather, to use their freedom to love and serve one another.

He warns that in a culture that eschewed love and instead fostered conflict and exploitation would result in everyone being consumed.

Amen.

6

 OUR FATHER WHO SETS US FREE

The Apostle Paul, in the book of Galatians chapter 5 verses 1 - 6 urges the believers in Galatia to be uncompromising in their dedication to the freedom that Jesus Christ had provided for them and to be diligent in avoiding being entrapped in the false pursuit of attaining righteousness by adhering to the law. 

 5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. 

To make his case further, the apostle Paul warns the Galatians that trying to attain righteousness by following one part of the law obligates them to follow the entirety of the law.

Instead, he advises the Galatians to remain in the Spirit trusting that their righteousness would be fully attained by faith through love in Christ Jesus.

Amen.

4

 OUR FATHER WHO SETS US FREE FROM THE LAW

In the fourth chapter in his letter to the Galatians from verses 21 - 31, the Apostle Paul further challenged the inclination of the Galatians to revert to following the law as a suppliment for righteousness.

Paul wrote that if they truly wanted to follow the law, that they should actually listen to what the law is saying and he brought up the two sons of Abraham as the metaphoric principle.

The first son, Ishamael, was born when Abraham and his wife Sarah tried to remedy their childlessness by their own plan and involved Sarahˋs servant Hagar.

The second son, Isaac, was born when Abraham believed Godˋs promise to him inspite of seemingly impossible odds. 

The first was born by the action of the flesh and the second was born by the action of the Spirit. 

The first represents Mount Sinai where the law was given and the second represents Jerusalem where the promise was given and where the promise of the sacrifice of promised Son of God was fulfilled. At present, Jerusalem is in captivity along with her children but the spiritual Jerusalem is free and it is the city that ensconces us or governs all who have faith in the promise.

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren,

You who do not bear!

Break forth and shout,

You who are not in labor!

For the desolate has many more children

Than she who has a husband.”

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Paul summarizes his argument by saying that we, believers in Christ, are children of the promise just as Isaac was and just as Ismael harassed Isaac, the children of the bondwoman persecute the children of the promise. In the end, the son of the bond woman was cast out and  was not counted as an heir. 

Paul then finalizes his counsel to the Galatians by asserting that they were children of the free woman and not subject to the bondage of the law as was the son of the slave.

Amen.

6

OUR FATHER WHO KNEW US BEFORE WE WERE BORN

The fourth chapter of Apostle Paulˋs letter to the Galatians  from  verses 8 - 20 brings up the apprehension that Paul was feeling regarding the propensity the Galatians were showing for reverting to their idol worship.  Paulˋs concern was that all his wok to bring them to the knowledge of the one True God was going to add up to nothing when the Galatians returned to their tribal gods and tracking the calendar events that marked the dates on which their former religious practices occured.

 8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Paul urges his readers to follow his example by which he, inspite of a severe physical debilitation, he preached to them. He acknowledged that the Galatians had seen past the physical issues he was having and they recieved him as an angel of God and perhaps even as they would have if he were the Lord Jesus Himself.

They were so enthusiastic to supoprt him that they would have donated their own eyes if they could help him see better. 

Now that he was  rebuking them for their backsliding, he wondered if they were going to start considering him to be an enemy.

17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.  19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
 

The passage continues with a warning from Paul about the arrival of some people who were going to try to seduce them away from the truth and towards the weak and beggarly elements of alternate beliefs. 

In response to this development, Paul undertook to pray and labor for them so that they would mature to the point because he had lost confidence in them.

Amen.

16

OUR FATHER WHO  SENT FORTH THE  SPIRIT OF HIS SON

The Apostle Paul, in Galatians chapter 4 verses 1 - 7, addresses the question of the period of latency where those who were destined to be in family of God remained in bondage under the elemental spiritual forces of the world until the auspicious time arrived and the Son of God entered into the world born under the law to redeem those who were under the law so that the children of God, who were indistinguishable from slaves, might be adopted as bona fide sons.

1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 

And these newly-minted sons, upon recieving the seal of the Spirit, could now legitimately cry out to God as they Dad and Father and as a son, an heir of God through Christ.

Amen

1

OUR FATHER WHO PROVIDED FOR US TO BECOME HIS CHILDREN THROUGH FAITH

In the third chapter of his letter to Galatians from verses 19 - 25 , the Apostle Paul rhetorically asks the question of what purpose the law served if faith is all that was required to be admitted into the family of God. He then explains that the function of the law was to govern (or to benchmark) transgressions until the Seed (Christ) arrived among those to whom the promise was made.

The law was introduced after the promises were given to demonstrate  how contrary to the standards of God we actually were. The law, enforced  through angels, was delivered by  a mediator (Moses) who was to mediate between God and man. Mediation is typically conducted between two parties who are at an impass but in this case, God is the singular party who is undertaking the liabilities of all sides and thus everything is encompassed in Him.

19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

The law does not contradict the promises of God and is not in competition with faith as the means by which righteousness is attained. 

Paul explains that if the law could provide righteousness, then the law would have been reserved as the single the gateway by which men could enter the family of God. However, the law only imprisons men and confines them to their conviction of sin so that when the promise of God is presented, they  would be able to believe and react in faith to the good news of the salvation provided by God. This reaction of faith is what confers the righteousness of Christ upon us.

 The law, as a tutor, educated us to our true condition of needing salvation but when the promised Salvation arrived, we were no longer in need of the tutor.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise..

The apostle then reveals one of the implications of the universality of the law and

promise. Because we are all (without exception) saved by the same mechanism of faith, in the family of God, there is no distinction between the Jews or the Gentiles, slaves or free, male nor female. 

Amen.

10

OUR FATHER WHOSE PROMISES ARE YEAH AND AMEN THROUGH CHRIST

In the 3rd chapter of the book of Galatians chapter from verses 15 - 18, the Apostle Paul tackles the concept of the efficacy of faith as the means of conferring righteousness upon those who would be justified. 

Whereas the law had a mechanism called inheritance by which families could confer advantages from generation to generation, the law, having come four hundred and thirty years after the estalishment of the promise God gave to Abraham, could not annul the pre-existing promise which God made to Abraham and to his Seed (singular).

This promise was given to Abraham and by extension, to the One who would come through his linage. This promise was secured by Abraham by his believing the promise and this faith was attributed to him as righteousness. Thus, we who would aspire to be justified, believe in the promise and this faith is how we too are justified because we are made righteous before God. 

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Amen.

4

OUR FATHER BEFORE WHOM WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

The book of Galatians chapter 3 verses 9 - 14 contains the Apostle Paulˋs sophisticated and condensed analysis of the function of the law vis-à-vis justification by faith.

First, Paul invoked the principle that a curse would befall anyone who did not completely follow the law. This meant that if at anytime a person was unable to follow the letter of the law, they were subject to its judgement and if anyone tried to follow any part of the law as a means of attaining righteousness, they were obligated to follow the entirety of the law. This requirement meant that trying to qualify as righteous under the law was utterly impossible for any human. 

To compound matters, the book of Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 4 says this;

But the just shall live by his faith.

This precept asserts that only those who lived by faith would be qualify as justified.

It is into this insurmountable equation that Christ came to the earth and was able to live a life that was perfect under the law by fulfilling every requirement of the law since is birth. In His perfection, He subjected Himself to the ignominy of death on a cross and in doing this, He became a curse because it was written in the law that anyone who hangs on a tree was cursed. 

The gospel unto salvation that Paul preached was the synthesis of these strictures where there was only person who ever fulfilled all righteousness under the law. 

The rest of the human race was condemned to the judgement of death under the law but because living by faith was the means by which justification before God could be attained, we who were condemned by the law, could live by faith in the One who had fulfilled the law and in doing so, we are are able to come out from under the sentence of death under the law because Christ, the one who had attained  righteousness under the law, was condemned under the law on our behalf.  

Faith is the mechanism by which the righteousness of Christ is conferred upon us thus justifying us. This faith is the same faith that Abraham lived by and was justified before God and all of us from the realm of the gentiles have access to this mechanism of faith by which we are justified before God and can receive the promise of the Spirit of God by which we can live unto God.

 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written,e  “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Amen.

4

 OUR FATHER WHO DOES MIRACLES AMONG US

In the book of Galatians chapter 3 verses 1 - 9, the Apostle  Paul confronts the Galatians with the concern that he had pertaining to how they had been bewitched into abandoning their new life founded on faith and reverting to a life of obeying the law as a way of attaining righteousness.

Paul asks the Galatians if the new life they had started in the spirit was now going to be perfected in the flesh. 

Paul presses the point by asking the Galatians if the Spirit that they had in their midst who did miracles, did the miracles by faith or by works.

Paul then reaches the pinnacle of His argument by pointing out that if Abrahamˋs faith is what was accounted to him as faith and that his faith was the forerunner that would will be given to all the families of the world, how then would reverting to the law for righteousness provide the pedigree of belonging to the family of Abraham.

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Amen.

7

OUR FATHER WHOSE SON LOVED US AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR US

Paul, in Galatians chapter 2 verses 11 - 21, records an intense friction point that occured because of the lack of conviction regarding the ultimate source of righteouness. Under contention was whether it came from following the law or if it came solely through faith in Christ. 

Even though the original disciples like Peter and James were living in grace among the gentiles, their conduct was being influenced by the presence of the Jews who were equating adherance to the law as the final source of righteousness. As such, Peter would withdraw from associating with the gentiles when Jewish contingencies came into their midst so as not to draw their ire for breaking the commandment to keep separate from the Gentiles.

Paul, observing this conduct, directly confronted Peter by asking if it was reasonable to ask the Gentiles to live as Jews under the jewish law when those who were actually born under the law were not compelled to live under the law because it had been understood that no one could be justified under the law.

Paul presses further by asking if those who had been justified in Christ were found to be sinners and in need of the law to provide righteousness, was Jesus Christ now to be understood as a minister of sin?

The clarification of the matter comes in the last part of this passge: A believer in faith is crucified with Christ and it is no longer the believer who lives but Christ who lives in him.

The life of the flesh is now lived by faith in the the Son of God who loved each believer and gave Himself for us. Paul declared that at no time did he set aside the grace of God because if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ would have died for nothing. If the righteousness under the law was all that was needed to fulfill all righteousness, then men could have just worked to fulfill the law and be declared righteous based on that.

But the law cannot save because it is designed to administer death and in the context of Christˋs work on the cross, once faith in Christˋs salvation is gained, it is the law that is employed to administer the sentence of death to the flesh.

11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh 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 comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Amen.

10

OUR FATHER WHO SHOWS PARTIALITY TO NO MAN

The book of Galatians chapter 2 verses 6 - 10 says contains the Apostle Paulˋs recounting the acceptance that the original apostles ( James, Cephas and John) extended to him when they realized that the Lord had committed to Paul the gospel for the gentiles when they saw that the Holy Spirit, who worked so spectacularly in Peter when he was ministering to the Jews, also worked spectacularly with Paul as he ministered to the Gentiles.

As such, the original apostles accepted Paul as a peer and the only imposition that they laid on him was he include the care of the poor in his ministry and Paul was already eager to incorporate such practices. 

6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do. 

Amen.

7

OUR FATHER WHO SALVATION IS BY GRACE AND NOT BY WORKS

Chapter 2 verses 1 - 5  of his letter to the believers in Galatia, the Apostle Paul related the story of his second journey to Jerusalem where, fourteen years later, he travelled with his companions Barnabas and Titus to meet with the original apostles so that he would calibrate the gospel he was preaching to the gentiles against theirs so that he didnˋt  spread false doctrine and end up expending all his effort in vain. 

To his chagrin, Paul discovered that there were those in Jerusalem who were carrying a false doctrine where they were  asserting that those who were in Christ were being compelled to be circumcised.

In fact, while Paul and his travelling companions were at the Jerusalem church, a cadre of spies had been sent into their midst in order to find material with which to accuse Paul and his companions and to ultimately bring them under subjection to the false doctrine they were purveying.

Discovering that Titus was an uncircumcised Greek, the false brethren tried to compel Paul and those who were with him to accept that circumcision was a requirement even for non-jewish believers.

Paul explained that they did not fall for this falsity for even an hour and this uncompromising fidelity to the true gospel was important because it prevented them from carrying false doctrines back to the Galatians and infecting them with the same deception so that the original work that was being done could successfully continue without derailment.

1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 

Amen.

38

OUR FATHER WHO IS GLORIFIED BY THE WORK HE DOES IN US

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Galatians in chapter 1 verses 18 - 24, speaks of his return from Arabia after which, three years having passed, went to Jerusalem to see Peter and James. As he travelled in Syria and elsewhere, he was unrecognizable to the people in the churches in those regions and so as he stood incognito in their midst, he would over-hear them speaking of the man they had heard of who once persecuted the church but now was preaching the very faith he had been trying to destroy.

Paul was an instrument of the glory of God because of his conversion from an enemy to a fervent supporter of the cross of Christ.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)

21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO REVEALED JESUS TO US BY HIS GOOD PLEASURE

Continuing in chapter 2 verses 11 - 17 of his letter to the believers in Galatia, the apostle Paul explained his apostolic credentials.

He let them know that the gospel that he delivered to them did not come from another man by teaching or impartation but rather was revealed to him through Jeus Christ.

Paul uses his history of being a zealous enemy of the church to highlight how profoundly he was altered when the Son of God was revealed to him.

Paul writes of how he had been separated unto Godˋs pleasure and purposes even while in his motherˋs womb. This calling was to preach the gospel to the gentiles and he did not verify this with the other apostolic leaders of the church but rather went to Arabia on a spiritual journey of revelation and even when  he returned, went to Damascus and not to Jerusalem where the original apostle congregated.

11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

The Apostle Paul had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ that instantly changed him into a fierce and tenacious advocate for the faith in Christ.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO RAISED JESUS  FROM THE DEAD

The book of Galatians chapter 1 verses 1 - 10  contains the Apostle Paulˋs introduction of himself as an apostle sent by God along with a along with a blessing of grace and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ of whom Paul reminded them made it possible for us all to be saved from the present evil age by surrendering His life according to the will of our glorious God and Father.

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

After his prologue, Paul immediately challenges the Galatians for their quick departure from the truth of the gospel of grace at the behest of those who wanted to pervert the gospel of Christ.

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Paul emphasizes to the Galatians that any gospel that varied from the gospel he first delivered to them was a false gospel even if he himself ot am angel from heaven presented it to them. Paul goes as far as to curse any person or angle who brought a false gospel to replace the one they received.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

The apostle Paul was blunt wirh the Galatians because he told them his only aim was to please God and not men and he could claim the title of bondservant of Christ because he served his master Jesus with no allegiances to any man.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO SUPPLIED ALL OUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES AND GLORY

In finalizing his letter to the Philippians in chapter 4 verses 10 - 23, the Apostle Paul speaks of how much he celebrated the Philippians for resuming their support for his ministry.

He mentioned that there was a gap in their provisioning cause by the lack of opportunity to convey help to him but he assured them that he had learned how to content with little or with a lot.

In the warp and woof of a life that veered from lack to plenty and back again, Paul tells his readers that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him even to being able to survive both feasts and famines.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Paul is especially pleased with Philippians because even when others were not helping him, they went out of their way to send send him the provisions he needed and Paul called these efforts a sweet smelling aroma and an acceptable sacrifice before God for which a credit would abound to their account.

Paul then concludes his letter by honoring God by attributing eternal glory to Him and he also passes greeting from those who were with him to the Philippians. He then blesses them with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Amen.

5

OUR FATHER WHO IS NEAR

Philippians chapter 4 verses 1 - 9 records the Apostle Paulˋs concluding remarks in his letter to the believers in the believers in the city of Philippi. Speaking with fondness and endearment towards them, he encourages them to remain steadfast in the Lord.

He makes special mention of the women who helped him in the work of the gospel and he requested that they be looked after and he declares that their names, along with his fellow workers, are in the book of life.

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The apostle strongly encouraged the Philippian believers to rejoice at all times, let gentleness be their hallmark and to expel anxiety from themselves but instead, submit all their specific needs to God in prayer and doing so would let the unfathomable peace of God guard their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

In other words, the office of the Christ that administrates all the affairs of the kingdom of God, would actively respond to rejoicing and gentleness and the suppresion of anxiety by providing a shield of  supernatural peace in them as they prayed for what they needed.

Paul then prescribes the kind of thoughts that they should meditate upon:

• Things that were true
• Things that were noble
• Things that were just
• Things that were pure
• Things that were lovely
• Things that were of good report
• Things that were virtuous
• Things that were praiseworthy

The apostle also assured them that if they practiced the things that they learned, received, heard and saw in Paul, God would be with them in His capacity to as the provider of peace and wellbeing.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO REVEALS OUR ULTIMATE DESTINY TO US

The third chapter of the Apostle Paulˋs letter to the Philippians, from verses 12 - 21, records his admission that he had not yet attained the perfection for which God had laid hold of him but he revealed to his readers that to get closer to that goal, he forgot what was behind with its regrets and glories and pressed forward toward the prize of the ascendant call of God in Christ Jesus which is ultimate and eternal role that a person could attain to in his relationship with God.

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul, addressing the mature people in Christ among his readers, instructs them to keep in mind the ultimate purpose of being alongside God in eternity and if they couldnˋt imagine it, Paul assured them that God would reveal this to them but in the meantime, as far as they had attained far towards perfection, they should continue to walk by the same rule of unity.

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same  rule, let us be of the same mind.

The apostle calls on the Philippians to follow his example because he was set in place as pattern for them. He tells them this because there were many who became enemies of the cross of Christ and who would end in desctruction because they set their minds on earthly things rather than on heavenly things.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Paul likens heaven to a country that believers were citizens of and whose king, the lord Jesus Christ our Saviour, was eagerly awaited by those who were citizens of that country but lived on the earth.

Paul also reveals a mystery; The Lord Jesus, by His great authority and power over all realms, will transform our temporal bodies into glorified bodies. These bodies will be eternal and they will be capable of transending limitations that we had in our temporal bodies. Further, we will remain tripartite beings where we will made up of a glorified body, a renewed mind and born again spirit but we will have the scars of the earth imprinted on our glorified bodies like the Lord Jesus did when He showed his hands to His disciples after he ressurected. We will also retain the fragrance of the earth of our original selves by which our unique identity will be augmented.

Amen.

3

OUR FATHER WHO SET US FREE FROM THE LAW

In Paulˋs letter to the Philippians in chapter 3 verse 1 - 11,  he begins to conlude his thoughts by instructing his readers to rejoice in the Lord. He told them that his letters to them were for their safety and he warned them of agents of darkness who would bring false doctrine into their midst and cloud up the true gospel with a return to the  law and the traditions of men which were only mere shadows. 

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

To make his case, the apostle Paul demonstrated that if the law was the standard to follow, he, more than any other man, was qualified to claim righteouness from the law for he had followed it from the time he was born.  He had all the credentials to certify his rigteousness including having descended from the Israelite tribe of Benjamin and having undergone every rite that was prescribed in the law and further to that, as an adult, he had been zealous in the defense of law of Moses to the degree where he was prominent among those who persecuted the church.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul said that he counted all the righteousness under the law that he could claim as loss in comparison to the exeedingly high level of perfection of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord for whom he had abandoned all the things of his former life. 

He abandoned the credentials of his own righteousness in exchange for the righteousness from God by faith so that he would know God and know the power of His resurrection and share in His sufferings parallel to Jesusˋ death.  This pathway was the one that would allow him to attain to the resurrection of the dead.

Amen.

20

OUR FATHER  IN WHOM THE APOSTLE PAUL PUT HIS HOPE EVEN WHILE IN CHAINS

In chapter two verses 19 - 30 of Paulˋs letter to the Corinthians , the apostle Paul commends Timothy and Epaphroditus to the Philippians. Timothy was being sent to them to encourage them and also to report back to Paul on their state so that Paul would be encuraged when he heard of their condition.

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Epaphroditus, who was a co-worker of Paul, was also to be sent to the philippians as a trusted brother who almost lost his life in serving Paul an so Paul tells the Philippians to receive him with gladness and to esteem him.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO WORKS IN US BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO HIS GOOD PLEASURE

The Apostle Paul, in the second chapter of his letter to the Philippians in verses 12 - 18, calling the readers of his letter his ˋbelovedˋ, recalling that they had always obeyed him whether he was with them or not, instructs them to workout their salvation with fear and trembling because it was ultimately God Himself who worked within them to make them to desire and to do His good pleasure.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

As such, when doing anything, they should do it without grumbling or being contentious so as to maintain their  blamelessness and harmlessness being faultless children of God even as they dwelt in the midst of a corrupt society as the lights of the world. Paul tells them that even as they lived this way, to cling to the word of life so that, if they endured to the end, Paul would rejoice in the knowledge that all his suffering was not in vain.

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

The apostle invokes the concept of a drink-offering that was poured out along with the sacrifices that were prescribed in the law of Moses ( e.g. Leviticus 23 : 13) ;

And the meal-offering thereof shall be two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah for a sweet savor; and the drink-offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin.

He compares his life to the drink offering where he was being poured out by God in the service of the faith of the Philippians and indeed he was glad to be used in this way and he encourages the Philippians to rejoice in his being poured our for them.

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Amen

2