Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
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”Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
Summary: Trying to keep up with Paul’s logic can be challenging. Today’s passage challenges us to consider the importance of Christ’s crucifixion to Paul’s argument against circumcision.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:1b – The Best Kind of News”I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Summary: Paul has led us up the mountainous trail of his logical reasoning for many verses. We are finally at the top of the mountain, where Paul presents us with a choice. We can jump off on one side or the other, but not both.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:21 – The Knife’s Edge”… 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”I live by faith in the Son of God …
Summary: Paul sets an example for us when he lives by faith in Jesus.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:20e – Living by Faith”The life I now live in the body …
Summary: Paul is acutely aware of how his life has changed after encountering Jesus. In today’s passage he begins to describe the difference.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:20d – Hand and Glove”… and I no longer live,
Summary: Understanding Paul’s meaning requires what the psychologists call “active listening.” We must expand our thinking to engage Paul’s mind and vision for what he means.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:20b – The Definition of Evil”… so that I might live for God.
Summary: It turns out that dying to the law and living for God are related. We also discover an interesting relationship between self-interest and the law.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:19b – Living for God”If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
Summary: Keep up with Paul can be a challenge. In this passage he reflects on his personal journey with God’s law. The old covenant law is obsolete, and the “new law” is to trust in Jesus. If we try to mix the old with the new, we end up breaking the new law.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:19 – Old Laws and New”But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!
Summary: Paul tackles a legalistic conundrum as only Paul can. He lassos it, hogties it, and then throws it in our faces demanding that we confront his argument head-on.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:17 – Crime and Punishment”