Category: Galatians

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Galatians 3:14).

He could have kept it a private group.

You know–like on Facebook.

God could have kept the whole salvation thing between himself and the Jews.  He could have locked in redemption for just the physical children of Abraham, and let the rest of us serve as a colorful background to the divine drama.

He could have.

But he didn’t.

It would have been so much simpler.  I’m in a place these days where life is busy and complicated and I am always on the lookout for ways to simplify.  The idea of opening up the plan to bring in all the teeming masses of icky unclean folk like me, well it’s just not going to happen.

Fortunately for us all, The Lord of the Universe does not think like Michael.

Let’s call that Reason #35,026 to be glad that I’m not God.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hung from a tree.” (Galatians 3:13)

He didn’t just pay the price.

He was the price.

And all I can say is…thank you.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”  (Galatians 3:11)

Oy

If only he had said, “The righteous will live by rules.”

Rules are things I can quantify

and measure

and obey  even if I don’t really believe them.

Rules I can follow

or fake.

I can go through the motions while my heart is busy elsewhere.

This faith business…it takes away pretty much all of my power.

What do you mean, “That’s the whole point?”

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

All who rely on the law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”  (Galatians 3:10).

God:  Storm’s coming.  Take my hand.

Me:  No worries.  I can swim.

God:  Yes, but this is a hurricane. You can’t swim in this.

Me:  Actually, I’m a really good swimmer.  

God:  Not this good.  I’m talking about 100 foot waves that never stop.

Me:  I’ll be fine.

God:  You’ll die. Take my hand.

Me:  I won third place in the Camp Shoobedoobe Summer Swim-Off.

God:  You’re not strong enough.  No one is.

Me:  I have to do this on my own.  

God:  Take my hand.

Me:  Ooh, cramp!  Push through it…push through it!

God:  Take my hand.

Me:  No thanks, I’m…gurgle gurgle glug.

Sound familiar?

Trust me–your floaties won’t get you there.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith  (Galatians 3:9).

If you made an appearance in Scripture, how would you be referenced?

I think “The Man of Faith” is pretty great.

Go Abraham.

Beloved, you may not be specifically written into the Bible, but your name is clearly written in another important God book–

The Book of Life.

You know, that book in which the Lord of the Universe records the names of those who are eternally, irrevocably his.

Pretty important book–and you’re in it.  Maybe even in bold font, though I can’t confirm that.

So, remind me again why you have trust issues?

And by you, I mean we.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the Gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”  (Galatians 3:8)

The Scripture foresaw…

The Scripture announced…

Sounds like a plan was already in place.

Before Abraham

Before us

So…you mean God’s not making this up as he goes along?

Maybe I can relax my grip.

Just a little

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7).

Father Abraham

Had many sons

Many sons had Father Abraham.

I am one of them

And so are you

So let’s just praise the Lord!

This song, with the accompanying hand and foot motions and giggling, is about all I remember from eight-year-old Michael’s  first and rather unproductive visit to Sunday School.

Well, this song and the raging fistfight that broke out between two of the other little boys.  All and all, I decided that I’d rather be home watching Popeye and Friends, hosted by Tom Hatten.  Now to be fair, it wasn’t just Popeye.  They also showed Tom Slick, George of the Jungle, and Super Chicken.  In between cartoons, Tom took squiggles that kids mailed in and turned them into amazing cartoon drawings.

Aaaand…that totally beat learning about God as a way to spend my Sunday mornings.

Ah,  Michael.  Such a spiritual young man.

But I remembered the song.  And years later, when a slightly matured Michael learned about our adoption as Sons of God and becoming heir to the promises of eternal life, it clicked.

I am a child of Abraham

even though I’m not

because I believe.

Not because I do

Not because I earn

Not because I accomplish

Because I believe

As you head into Wednesday, hang onto that, ya?

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Galatians 3:6)

You try so hard

to earn a smile

a nod

a “well done” from the one you serve.

And yet, the only way to earn it

is to understand

that you can never deserve it.

The only way to achieve it

is to admit

that it is forever beyond you.

The only way to arrive

is to realize

that you are already there

and always have been,

carried in his arms.

Why do we make things so complicated, Beloved?

We are very silly people.

Happy Tuesday.

Consider Abraham: “He believed God…” (Galatians 3:6).

This is one of my favorites.

Paul says, “He believed God,” not, “He believed in God.”

Chew on that for a minute.

Sometimes, all God wants is for you to believe him.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that he has a purpose for you.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that you are enough.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that you are forgiven.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that he has chosen you.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that you will be his forever.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that you are utterly complete in him.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that he loves you.

Beloved, sometimes it is hard to believe all the promises that God has made.  We are somewhat accustomed to people breaking promises.

But your God calls you to believe him,

and he is trustworthy, ya?

Happy Monday, Beloved

Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?(Galatians 3:5)

Hold on a second.

Read that verse again.

Not to be dense or anything, but do you realize what you just read?

Twice?

God has given you his Spirit.

The Holy Spirit of God lives in you.  He just…gave it to you.

That’s crazy–no offense, but it is.

God has worked miracles in you, through you, for you.

Miracles

from God

for you.

Again…crazy.

Is there any way you could ever imagine that you could possibly earn such a gift?

Enjoy the blessings, Beloved.  You don’t deserve a-one of ‘em!

Happy Thursday.