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Created page with "{{DOD-December}} Chapters 3 and 4 deal with doctrine. Paul explains again the relationship between law and grace. There are three prevalent words throughout these two..."
{{DOD-December}}
Chapters 3 and 4 deal with doctrine. [[Paul]] explains again the relationship between law and [[grace]]. There are three prevalent words throughout these two chapters: [[faith]], which appears 14 times; law, which appears 19 times; and promise, which appears 11 times. [[Paul]] presents six arguments seeking to prove that salvation is by [[grace]] through [[faith]], apart from the law. Chapter 3 presented three of the arguments; and today, in chapter 4, we find a continuation of those arguments. [[Paul]] explains in verses 1-11 what is known as the dispensational argument. If you have read the Scriptures carefully, you know that [[God]] has dealt differently with different people at different times. The age of the Jew and the keeping of the law had passed away, and the dispensation of [[grace]] was now prevalent. Men are no longer saved by keeping the law, but through [[faith]] in [[Jesus]] Christ. This is [[Paul]]'s explanation concerning dispensationalism.
In verses 12-18 we are given somewhat of a sentimental argument, as [[Paul]] appeals to the people of Galatia as a loving spiritual servant and a concerned father addressing his children. [[Paul]] is appealing to the sentimental side of the people as he reminds them that he became as one of them as he preached to them.
In verses 19-31 [[Paul]] uses the story of [[Abraham]]'s two sons as his final argument to prove that the new covenant of [[grace]] has overcome the old covenant of law. In chapters 3 and 4 [[Paul]] has tried to explain that there can be no mixture of law and [[grace]]. This is a simple, but firm truth. Any time these two situations mix, there will be spiritual confusion. May [[God]] help us to hold fast to His [[grace]], which is sufficient for everyone who believes.
In chapters 5 and 6 [[Paul]] tells us again that we have liberty and are not under bondage; that we are to walk in the [[Spirit]] , not in the flesh; and that we are to live for others and not for self. Living for others is a very hard thing for a Christian to do, even today. We must wholly give of ourselves to the [[Lord]] and let the [[love]] of Christ move through us toward others. The flesh is selfish and is not interested in others; but the Holy [[Spirit]] , who indwells the body of every Christian, desires to reach out through us and bring others to Christ. We limit the Holy [[Spirit]] by not allowing Him to work through us. When we are completely given to His will, we [[love]] others and seek to help them in any way possible, spiritually, or materially. [[Paul]] is simply telling us in chapter 6 to live for [[God]]'s glory, not for man's approval. It is very easy today to try to please man rather than [[God]].
In chapter 6:7,8 we again have the contrast of glory for man and [[God]]'s glory. [[Paul]] tells us, "Be not deceived; [[God]] is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the [[Spirit]] shall of the [[Spirit]] reap life everlasting." There is no way to win by living for self or for man's approval. When we live any way other than through the direction of the Holy [[Spirit]] , we become miserable [[Christians]]. However, when we are willing to let [[God]] have His way in our lives, then and only then will be have the joy and [[peace]] that every Christian is promised in [[God]]'s Word.
Chapters 3 and 4 deal with doctrine. [[Paul]] explains again the relationship between law and [[grace]]. There are three prevalent words throughout these two chapters: [[faith]], which appears 14 times; law, which appears 19 times; and promise, which appears 11 times. [[Paul]] presents six arguments seeking to prove that salvation is by [[grace]] through [[faith]], apart from the law. Chapter 3 presented three of the arguments; and today, in chapter 4, we find a continuation of those arguments. [[Paul]] explains in verses 1-11 what is known as the dispensational argument. If you have read the Scriptures carefully, you know that [[God]] has dealt differently with different people at different times. The age of the Jew and the keeping of the law had passed away, and the dispensation of [[grace]] was now prevalent. Men are no longer saved by keeping the law, but through [[faith]] in [[Jesus]] Christ. This is [[Paul]]'s explanation concerning dispensationalism.
In verses 12-18 we are given somewhat of a sentimental argument, as [[Paul]] appeals to the people of Galatia as a loving spiritual servant and a concerned father addressing his children. [[Paul]] is appealing to the sentimental side of the people as he reminds them that he became as one of them as he preached to them.
In verses 19-31 [[Paul]] uses the story of [[Abraham]]'s two sons as his final argument to prove that the new covenant of [[grace]] has overcome the old covenant of law. In chapters 3 and 4 [[Paul]] has tried to explain that there can be no mixture of law and [[grace]]. This is a simple, but firm truth. Any time these two situations mix, there will be spiritual confusion. May [[God]] help us to hold fast to His [[grace]], which is sufficient for everyone who believes.
In chapters 5 and 6 [[Paul]] tells us again that we have liberty and are not under bondage; that we are to walk in the [[Spirit]] , not in the flesh; and that we are to live for others and not for self. Living for others is a very hard thing for a Christian to do, even today. We must wholly give of ourselves to the [[Lord]] and let the [[love]] of Christ move through us toward others. The flesh is selfish and is not interested in others; but the Holy [[Spirit]] , who indwells the body of every Christian, desires to reach out through us and bring others to Christ. We limit the Holy [[Spirit]] by not allowing Him to work through us. When we are completely given to His will, we [[love]] others and seek to help them in any way possible, spiritually, or materially. [[Paul]] is simply telling us in chapter 6 to live for [[God]]'s glory, not for man's approval. It is very easy today to try to please man rather than [[God]].
In chapter 6:7,8 we again have the contrast of glory for man and [[God]]'s glory. [[Paul]] tells us, "Be not deceived; [[God]] is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the [[Spirit]] shall of the [[Spirit]] reap life everlasting." There is no way to win by living for self or for man's approval. When we live any way other than through the direction of the Holy [[Spirit]] , we become miserable [[Christians]]. However, when we are willing to let [[God]] have His way in our lives, then and only then will be have the joy and [[peace]] that every Christian is promised in [[God]]'s Word.