… the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
Summary: Paul keeps working at his metaphor, adding layers of detail that help us understand how deep the Father’s love for us is.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:6b – Daddy”Galatians 4:6a – The Spirit of His Son
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts …
Summary: In this passage, Paul gives us a different twist on what it means to have God’s Spirit in us.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:6a – The Spirit of His Son”Galatians 4:2 – Legal Limits
The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
Summary: Paul wants us to understand that God has never abandoned the human race. Our Father in heaven has made provisions for us until the time he has set for us.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:2 – Legal Limits”Galatians 3:27 – Family Bonds
… for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Summary: When we talk about being clothed in Christ we might wonder what that is like. Fortunately, Jesus tells us a wonderful story about a father and his son.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:27 – Family Bonds”Galatians 3:2b – Open House
Did you receive the Spirit …?
Summary: Receiving a gift requires an act of acceptance. Accepting Jesus is the first step to receiving the Spirit.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:2b – Open House”Galatians 3:2a – One Thing
I would like to learn just one thing from you …
Summary: Paul’s preface to his question presents us with an interesting premise. If, instead of asking twenty questions, you can only ask one, what is the important question to ask?
Continue reading “Galatians 3:2a – One Thing”Galatians 2:20g – The Cold Light of Day
… and gave himself for me.
Summary: Knowing that Jesus gave himself for us only has meaning if we know we need him.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:20g – The Cold Light of Day”Galatians 1:4c – It’s Complicated
… according to the will of our God and Father,
Summary: When we look at something extremely large and complicated, it is difficult to grasp the full measure of what it is. God’s will is like that. Take, for example, the universe. We know a lot about the night sky, but compared to what there is to know, we are about as knowledgeable as a two-year-old in a modern car factory.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:4c – It’s Complicated”Ephesians 6:4 – The Curse of Free Will
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Summary: Being a father is a tall order. As humans, we are beset with many hurdles and distractions. Meanwhile, God is our spiritual Father. He is never too busy for you or me.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:4 – The Curse of Free Will”Ephesians 5:25b-26a – The Holy Within
… and gave himself up for her to make her holy,
Summary: Understanding spiritual matters is a challenge for all of us. We are all born of the flesh first, and born spiritually second. Learning to “see” spiritually is a skill, like learning to walk physically.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:25b-26a – The Holy Within”