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 Thursday, 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 one 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’s 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
to 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 Friday.
Have you suffered so much for nothing–if it really was for nothing? (Galatians 3:4)
If you can do it on your own, then the cross wasn’t necessary.
If the cross wasn’t necessary, then your suffering for Christ is meaningless.
If your suffering is meaningless, then you are an idiot fool person making unwise choices.
Look, chances are none of you reading this has known the kind of suffering that the early church had to deal with. Still, following Christ has cost you, in some cases dearly. Are you sure the cost is worth it?
I mean, reallytrulydowninyourbones sure?
Good
Oh, just one more question: Why are you still trying to make it on your own?
Happy Thursday, Beloved.
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? (Galatians 3:3)
Do you remember how it was in the beginning?
Not THE BEGINNING–none of us is that old, even if it feels like it on a Wednesday morning. No, I mean your beginning. Do you remember how it was when you first gave your heart to Christ? How you trusted him completely, how you knew you were utterly incapable of doing this on your own and so threw yourself at his feet?
Yeah, that was a good time. You stayed out of God’s way and let him do his work. And he did good stuff. What do you think–could you go back to that place? Can you get yourself back to that state of total dependence on God?
No–you can’t get yourself there.
But
you can ask God to take you there, which is kinda the point, ya?
Happy Wednesday, Beloved.
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? (Galatians 3:2)
Hmm…let me think about that for a bit.
Sorry, this might take a while.
Nope,
actually it didn’t.
Happy Tuesday, Beloved.
…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
It’s Valentine’s Day, right?
OK, so let’s talk love.
Forget the hearts and flowers. Forget the candy.
OK, remember candy. Candy is good. But set it aside for the moment.
Seriously–put the candy down.
Real love sacrifices. Real love gives, even when there is no reasonable expectation of a return on the investment. Real love sees you at your worst, and does not turn away.
While we were still sinners. While we were totally unworthy and unlovable. Beyond pot bellies and vanishing hairlines. Beyond bad hair and no makeup. While we were steeped in darkness, inside and out, Jesus died for us.
For you.
Want him to prove his love?
He did. We call it the Cross.
When I write these One-a-Days, I often call you “Beloved.” I’m not putting the moves on you, nor am I trying to be J. Vernon McGee. I’m praying, along with Paul, that you, “May…grasp how high and long and wide and deep is the love of Christ.”
In the Song of Songs, God gives us a picture of the love between a man and a woman. Beyond that, though, he paints a picture of Christ’s love for his Church.
He calls the Church his Beloved.
He calls you his Beloved.
And so you are.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Beloved.
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified (Galatians 3:1).
You know the scene. Star Wars–the real one, the first one. Luke and Obi Wan–the real one, the first one–are on their way to the spaceport, and they are stopped by stormtroopers. The troopers are on the lookout for two droids, which are obviously sitting in the vehicle in front of them. Luke is scared, but Obi Wan does a little zip-zappety-zing-zang-force-ninja business and says, “These are not the droids you are looking for.”
And they buy it.
Paul’s words here make me think of the stormtroopers’ boss, reviewing the security tape later that day. I imagine it went something like this:
“What was that? The droids were right there! You saw them! They were obvious! Some old dude waves his hand, and , what….you went blind?
You foolish stormtroopers!
You foolish Galatians!
You foolish Michael.
Happy Friday, Beloved.