Growing Deeper Into the Soil of God's Word to Bear Fruit For His Kingdom
“The only reason they want to do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.” (Galatians 6:12b) The circumcision faction was afraid. This group of Christian believers were actively trying to force Gentile converts to be circumcised and follow the law of Moses. They claimed it was essential for salvation and obedience... Continue Reading →
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Let each one test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” (Galatians 6:3-5) It is an interesting twist of providence for me to try... Continue Reading →
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.... Continue Reading →
“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth, until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you again and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.” (Galatians 3:19-20) I (Stephen) will never be a mother. I will never experience the pains of childbirth... Continue Reading →
“Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ himself.” (Galatians 4:14b) Who do we see in the face of the stranger? Paul was traveling and preaching the gospel when he fell ill. We are not sure exactly what the illness was. Some suggest it was epilepsy,... Continue Reading →
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) Our unity as Christians is both incredibly fragile and inestimably stable. On the one hand, as I write this, my denomination is debating in the midst of fierce disunity... Continue Reading →
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes, Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.” (Galatians 3:1) Let those who want to fulfill the ministry of the gospel in the right way learn not only to speak and proclaim but also to penetrate into consciences, so that people may see Christ crucified... Continue Reading →
"We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ." (Galatians 2:15-16a) A couple of months ago, Olga and I traded in my 2004 Volkswagon Jetta for a 2010 Honda Odyssey. It was a big move... Continue Reading →
...they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. (Galatians 2:7-8) Have you ever wished you had... Continue Reading →
Etz Pri 