12/31/17 Reflections

Summary:

  • If you believe Jesus you have God’s Spirit indwelling, and are fully justified in God’s sight.

Insights:

  • Being a new creation = having God’s indwelling Holy Spirit (see Gal. 5:6; 6:15; and 2 Cor. 5:17)
  • Though the Spirit (and His fruit) dwells with us, we can still have setbacks in righteous living (compare Gal. 5:22-24 with 6:1).
  • Gal 3:8 – “Scripture” and “God” are interchangeable: What Scripture says, God says.  And what God says, Scripture says.
  • Heb 6:13 informs Gal 3:20, I believe.  In Gal 3:20, Paul says the law was an agreement between 2 parties (like a contract).  If one party doesn’t hold up their end, the contract is dissolved.  In contrast, God decreed a promise to Abraham–not an agreement, or contract.  A unilateral decree of the King that no one can revoke.  Thus, it is of greater worth.
  • I think Gal 3:23-24 (when compared with v. 22) says that the law served as a constant reminder (until Christ) that we can’t be righteous on our own before God.  It was our “guardian” and “prison” in the sense that it made sure we knew we had no hope in our own righteousness

For Brian to obey:

  • Look to help believers who are truly in need as a first priority (Gal. 6:1-2, 10)
  • Repudiate any thoughts of obtaining righteousness through adherence to the Law.