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The Carpenter's Chapel (4)
- Thread starter Jim1999
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Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Galatians Chapter One
"Paul, an apostle...and all the brethren with me...offer grace to you ad peace from God..."
The purpose of writing this letter is twofold: (1) Paul needs to address these people who have fallen in their witness to Christ; and (2) to establish the fact that he is an apostle, and more than that, an apostle with the full blessing and respect of his peers and fellow apostles.
It is a shame, that to be effective in a community of believers, one must first establish his credentials. We think rumours travel fast to-day, but it travelled faster in biblical times. They didn't have the internet, but they must have had fast runners. What various leaders had said in one place was an item of debate in the next. Now, I don't know about you, but usually I need a little time to digest what I have heard before I can resemble intelligence with a response. These folk were ready to respond.
This does show the importance of credibility in ministry, and in the Christian life. Often, when preaching, we must go through the regimen of a full course meal. We must give a little entre- just a taster to whet the appetite. The soup should seal our presence. But what if it doesn't? Anyone who has preached in a different church knows what I am saying here, and so did Paul. He had to establish his apostleship, and also his authority among the apostles. These were his introductory remarks. There is a time when it is alright to blow our own whistle, but be as thoughtful as Paul, and include a doxology of praise unto God.
One thing Paul does not do in lifting himself up is to compromise the gospel. We are not to waterdown what we believe to become popular as a public speaker. "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins..."
Let us never compromise our faith to accommodate the world, or to establish our own credentials. Our witness should go before us, and once we compromise our beliefs, we have indeed established our credentials as being weak, unfaithful and unreliable. Paul was none of these things and he was setting out to prove it before the church at Galatia.
Cheers,
Jim
Galatians Chapter One
"Paul, an apostle...and all the brethren with me...offer grace to you ad peace from God..."
The purpose of writing this letter is twofold: (1) Paul needs to address these people who have fallen in their witness to Christ; and (2) to establish the fact that he is an apostle, and more than that, an apostle with the full blessing and respect of his peers and fellow apostles.
It is a shame, that to be effective in a community of believers, one must first establish his credentials. We think rumours travel fast to-day, but it travelled faster in biblical times. They didn't have the internet, but they must have had fast runners. What various leaders had said in one place was an item of debate in the next. Now, I don't know about you, but usually I need a little time to digest what I have heard before I can resemble intelligence with a response. These folk were ready to respond.
This does show the importance of credibility in ministry, and in the Christian life. Often, when preaching, we must go through the regimen of a full course meal. We must give a little entre- just a taster to whet the appetite. The soup should seal our presence. But what if it doesn't? Anyone who has preached in a different church knows what I am saying here, and so did Paul. He had to establish his apostleship, and also his authority among the apostles. These were his introductory remarks. There is a time when it is alright to blow our own whistle, but be as thoughtful as Paul, and include a doxology of praise unto God.
One thing Paul does not do in lifting himself up is to compromise the gospel. We are not to waterdown what we believe to become popular as a public speaker. "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins..."
Let us never compromise our faith to accommodate the world, or to establish our own credentials. Our witness should go before us, and once we compromise our beliefs, we have indeed established our credentials as being weak, unfaithful and unreliable. Paul was none of these things and he was setting out to prove it before the church at Galatia.
Cheers,
Jim
following-Him
Active Member
Jim,
Thank you for that. How very true too. And all this can only be acheived in and through the Lord's strength, not our own. I am at the moment daily reminded of how I need to be more God dependent.
God Bless
Sheila
Thank you for that. How very true too. And all this can only be acheived in and through the Lord's strength, not our own. I am at the moment daily reminded of how I need to be more God dependent.
God Bless
Sheila
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Amen - we live in a "watered-down" day. May we never be guilty of that.
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Wednesday, 21st July, 2004
Faithful gains permission form Talkative to expound how a true work of grace manifests itself. Today we will see how it reveals itself to the possessor of it and on Friday how it shows itself to others.
1) Conviction of sin
2) Conviction that his nature is defiled
3) Sorrow and shame for sin
4) Christ revealed in his life
5) The absolute necessity of closing with him for life
6) Hungerings and thirstings after him
7) Joy and peace measured according to his strength or weakness in his Saviour
8) Love of holiness measured by his relationship with Christ
9) Desires to know him more
10) Desire to serve him in this world.
11) An awareness of his unworthiness that makes him realise that his salvation can only be a work of grace.
As you read though Faithful’s Bible list of assurances what do you see in your own life. Perhaps some should take time today to open their Bibles and check out the verse behind this list. On what are your basing your own assurance of salvation today?
Faithful gains permission form Talkative to expound how a true work of grace manifests itself. Today we will see how it reveals itself to the possessor of it and on Friday how it shows itself to others.
There are a number of verse here to support Faithful’s contention. For ease of reading I think we will just list the things that should be manifested in a believer’s life to reveal to him that he truly is saved.
1) Conviction of sin
2) Conviction that his nature is defiled
3) Sorrow and shame for sin
4) Christ revealed in his life
5) The absolute necessity of closing with him for life
6) Hungerings and thirstings after him
7) Joy and peace measured according to his strength or weakness in his Saviour
8) Love of holiness measured by his relationship with Christ
9) Desires to know him more
10) Desire to serve him in this world.
11) An awareness of his unworthiness that makes him realise that his salvation can only be a work of grace.
As you read though Faithful’s Bible list of assurances what do you see in your own life. Perhaps some should take time today to open their Bibles and check out the verse behind this list. On what are your basing your own assurance of salvation today?
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Galatians 1: 6
“I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of
Christ unto another gospel.”
To my mind, this is one of the most fascinating verses in scripture. Paul has just
finished giving the finest doxology in praise of God before these people of the
church in Galatia. One might gather the impression that this was the most devout
congregation in the land. Pauls opens with, “I marvel”. I am astonished. To-day he
might have said, I am stunned! He is outspoken about how stupid these people
could be. These are believers, my friends. Paul is not addressing some cult, or a
gathering of unbelievers. These are people who had come to a saving knowledge of
the Lord Jesus and the saving grace of God. Now Paul is stunned. Stunned at what?
That they are so soon removed...This not only suggests, but firmly indicates,
involvement on their part. They willfully decided to move in this evil direction.
Now Paul does not talk about losing faith, nor losing their salvation. He tells them
that they have betrayed himself (Paul) and the Lord. The “him that called you” has
reference both to Paul, who preached the gospel, and the Lord who called them into
saving grace. It was a double affront; Paul and the Lord. When we fail before the
Lord, we also fail before our fellow believers. What a grave responsibility is ours to
remain faithful to the word. We never act alone. How often do we think, I am not
hurting anyone with what I am doing? But this verse makes it clear that we are in
fact offending the brethren in our actions.
Where have they turned? “unto another gospel.” Remember, Paul is not talking
about salvation here. The word gospel here has a broader meaning. I think it
includes the whole counsel of God, the entire bible. These people have been caught
up in strange teachings. I am saved, but now I want more. I want to dance. I want to
hear the band, and feel it in my body. I want special signs. Obviously, I don’t know
what the specifics are, but they were additional teachings to the gospel. These are
the very things that led the Galatians to challenge Paul’s apostleship and his
authority. Paul goes on to settle this matter in no uncertain terms. He does not play
around with any group that wold present anything other than the full gospel. We
cannot toy with God’s truth. There are some areas of scripture where we are
uncertain and left to speculation. Here we follow a simple principle that one verse
does not a doctrine make, and scripture will never contradict itself. So, in seeking
truth we interpret scripture by scripture.
When I come across a verse I don’t understand, I skip over it and read on. I will
come upon it again, and perhaps next time, I will have come across the verse that
explains it. No other book in my library is so alive with understanding. Truly the
word is a lamp unto my path.
Paul says this, doesn’t he? “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any
other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed.” There is one truth, and it is the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, never let us become smug in our own redemption so that we adopt
another gospel. All of grace, and all of Thee.
Cheers,
Jim
Galatians 1: 6
“I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of
Christ unto another gospel.”
To my mind, this is one of the most fascinating verses in scripture. Paul has just
finished giving the finest doxology in praise of God before these people of the
church in Galatia. One might gather the impression that this was the most devout
congregation in the land. Pauls opens with, “I marvel”. I am astonished. To-day he
might have said, I am stunned! He is outspoken about how stupid these people
could be. These are believers, my friends. Paul is not addressing some cult, or a
gathering of unbelievers. These are people who had come to a saving knowledge of
the Lord Jesus and the saving grace of God. Now Paul is stunned. Stunned at what?
That they are so soon removed...This not only suggests, but firmly indicates,
involvement on their part. They willfully decided to move in this evil direction.
Now Paul does not talk about losing faith, nor losing their salvation. He tells them
that they have betrayed himself (Paul) and the Lord. The “him that called you” has
reference both to Paul, who preached the gospel, and the Lord who called them into
saving grace. It was a double affront; Paul and the Lord. When we fail before the
Lord, we also fail before our fellow believers. What a grave responsibility is ours to
remain faithful to the word. We never act alone. How often do we think, I am not
hurting anyone with what I am doing? But this verse makes it clear that we are in
fact offending the brethren in our actions.
Where have they turned? “unto another gospel.” Remember, Paul is not talking
about salvation here. The word gospel here has a broader meaning. I think it
includes the whole counsel of God, the entire bible. These people have been caught
up in strange teachings. I am saved, but now I want more. I want to dance. I want to
hear the band, and feel it in my body. I want special signs. Obviously, I don’t know
what the specifics are, but they were additional teachings to the gospel. These are
the very things that led the Galatians to challenge Paul’s apostleship and his
authority. Paul goes on to settle this matter in no uncertain terms. He does not play
around with any group that wold present anything other than the full gospel. We
cannot toy with God’s truth. There are some areas of scripture where we are
uncertain and left to speculation. Here we follow a simple principle that one verse
does not a doctrine make, and scripture will never contradict itself. So, in seeking
truth we interpret scripture by scripture.
When I come across a verse I don’t understand, I skip over it and read on. I will
come upon it again, and perhaps next time, I will have come across the verse that
explains it. No other book in my library is so alive with understanding. Truly the
word is a lamp unto my path.
Paul says this, doesn’t he? “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any
other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed.” There is one truth, and it is the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, never let us become smug in our own redemption so that we adopt
another gospel. All of grace, and all of Thee.
Cheers,
Jim
Thanks Jim.
The problem with folks is that they want to add some human effort to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ said "It is finished", but they'll say that it is not. Baptismal regeneration, Sabbath keeping, good deeds or what have you, they seek to contribute to their salvation. Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance and seeking to be like Him: That's It folks! Our righteousness is filthy rags.
The problem with folks is that they want to add some human effort to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ said "It is finished", but they'll say that it is not. Baptismal regeneration, Sabbath keeping, good deeds or what have you, they seek to contribute to their salvation. Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance and seeking to be like Him: That's It folks! Our righteousness is filthy rags.
Charles,
You are so right. Far too often we just don't get the picture, do we?
Another area of concern is when we quote scripture, and then proceed as if that scripture didn't exist. We see this so often when people are experiencing difficulties in their lives. We behave as if God never said, Lo, I am with you alway.
Cheers,
Jim
You are so right. Far too often we just don't get the picture, do we?
Another area of concern is when we quote scripture, and then proceed as if that scripture didn't exist. We see this so often when people are experiencing difficulties in their lives. We behave as if God never said, Lo, I am with you alway.
Cheers,
Jim
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Amen - great thoughts there fellas!
All my life, I have been a student of the scriptures. I wanted to know exactly what was intended by the original writer.
In the devotionals, there is a different approach. I am more concerned with the spiritual values of those same scriptures. Mind you, I am not ignoring either the context or the best translation of the text. How enlightening it can be.
Cheers, and enjoy,
Jim
In the devotionals, there is a different approach. I am more concerned with the spiritual values of those same scriptures. Mind you, I am not ignoring either the context or the best translation of the text. How enlightening it can be.
Cheers, and enjoy,
Jim
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Friday, 23rd July, 2004
Sorry for any confusion in Wednesday’s devotion. We are looking at manifestations of the reality of salvation in a man’s life. Wednesday was things we can examine in our own lives. Today we will see things that may be seen by others. These are not requirements for salvation, but evidences of it.
Now Faithful describes how true salvation is manifested to others.
The Bible says that if any man be in Christ he IS a new creation, old things are passed away, behold ALL things are become new! James tells us that where there are no works faith is dead and meaningless. Truth faith will produce a change of life. No amount of words can replace Christ centred, Christ-like, Christ following life of the man who is truly born again.
Sorry for any confusion in Wednesday’s devotion. We are looking at manifestations of the reality of salvation in a man’s life. Wednesday was things we can examine in our own lives. Today we will see things that may be seen by others. These are not requirements for salvation, but evidences of it.
Now Faithful describes how true salvation is manifested to others.
Here faithful puts Talkative to the test. He says, in essence, does your life match up with your talk? Has there been a change in your own heart, and has their been a change that others can see. There are far to many “professors” who are not “possessors.” Faithful goes on to tell that religion without reality is meaningless. Here is a later quote by Faithful to Talkative – “Your religion, and an ale house, and covetousness, and uncleanness, and swearing, and lying, and vain company keeping, etc., will stand together. The proverb is true of you which is said of a whore, to wit, that "she is a shame to all women": so you are a shame to all professors.”
The Bible says that if any man be in Christ he IS a new creation, old things are passed away, behold ALL things are become new! James tells us that where there are no works faith is dead and meaningless. Truth faith will produce a change of life. No amount of words can replace Christ centred, Christ-like, Christ following life of the man who is truly born again.