Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
Summary: Teaching someone about things we can see is hard enough. Teaching people about invisible things is immensely more difficult.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:17a – Learning To Drive”So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Summary: Walking by the Spirit is easier than it sounds. We just need to make sure we are hanging onto God’s hand.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:16 – Holding Hands”If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Summary: This passage presents us with a bit of mystery. Looking at the whole of Paul’s letter, we can piece together the puzzle and surmise what might have been.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:15 – Surmise”For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Summary: There are laws, and then there are laws. Being able to tell the difference is key to understanding what Paul tells us in this passage.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:14 – What Jesus Said”… rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Summary: Understanding Paul’s meaning is helped by clearing away what he is not talking about.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:13c – Three Groups”But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh;
Summary: Paul advises us on how to use our freedom. As is often the case, we have to dig to figure out what he is telling us.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:13b – Your Turn at the Helm”You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.
Summary: Paul uses a word that is often misunderstood. To be “free” in Christ is not the same thing as being free from sin.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:13a – Free in Christ”As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
Summary: Paul’s arguments against the teaching of the “agitators” reaches a crescendo with this verse. Both his reasoning and his emotions are climaxing in a masterful visual summary that cuts to the heart of the situation.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:12 – Ouch!”In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
Summary: Finding the meaning of this passage leads us back to the prophet Isaiah and his prophecy about the “stumbling stone.”
Continue reading “Galatians 5:11b – The Offense of the Cross”Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?
Summary: Disagreements take many forms. Some result in physical conflict, others are a test of wills.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:11a – People Are Power”