Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians

Posted By: dedication

Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/14/17 07:11 AM

Introductory Statements:

The Protestant world is getting ready to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther — guided by the Holy Spirit — brought to millions crucial biblical truths that were long hidden under centuries of superstition and tradition. One could argue that out of the pages of Galatians (along with Romans) Protestantism itself was born half a millennium ago! It was while reading Galatians that Martin Luther first was touched with the glorious good news of righteousness by faith, the great truth that spawned the Protestant Reformation, which freed millions from centuries of theological and ecclesiastical error. What he read in this book changed Luther, and the world has never been the same again.

Seventh-day Adventists, many centuries after Luther, also are indebted to Galatians. Through the study of Galatians, E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones helped the Adventist Church in the 1880s and 90s rediscover the truth of righteousness by faith.

What is it about Galatians that has made it such a backbone of the Protestant Reformation? Why has it been able to touch the hearts of so many, such as Martin Luther? In a manner unlike any other book in the Bible, Galatians addresses a number of themes crucial to the Christian soul. It is in Galatians that Paul tackles issues such as freedom, the role of the law in salvation, our condition in Christ, and the nature of the Spirit-led life, as well as the age-old question, How can sinful humans be made right before a holy and just God? It was this question, perhaps more than any other, that spurred Martin Luther on the track he started and from which he never turned back.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/14/17 07:26 AM

Galatians One
1.3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
1.4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
1.5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


These introductory verses contain the whole gospel.
--Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins
--God the Father raised Him from the dead
-- that Jesus might deliver us from the present evil age
--To God and Christ be all the glory forever!
Grace and peace-- these are the gifts God the Father and Son bestow.
To save mankind through Jesus Christ IS THE WILL OF GOD
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/14/17 07:39 AM

ANOTHER GOSPEL

What constitutes this other gospel --
Can we tell the difference?

1.6 I am astonished that you are so quickly desert him who called you into the grace of Christ and turn unto another gospel:
1.7 not that it is not another gospel; but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
1.8 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.
1.9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than what you have received, let him be accursed.


Paul says they accepted another gospel. How many gospels are there? Revelation 14:6 refers to the true gospel as the everlasting Gospel that is preached to every nation and kindred, tongue and people.
There is only one gospel, but these false teachers are teaching not a variation of Paul's gospel, BUT ANOTHER different gospel, which is not the gospel.

1.10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
1.11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.


Here is our first clue as to what constitutes the false gospel.

A false "gospel" is based on PLEASING MEN!
Jesus rebuked those who put on a religious "show", "to be seen of men" yet will receive no heavenly reward. (Matt. 6:1-6)


Christ rebuked those who
"outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Matt.23:28)
"Blind leaders, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel. (Matt. 23:24)
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (23.25)

The true gospel results in yielding up our pride, our love of the approbation of an unbelieving world. The true gospel is not about doing things to have men speak well of us, but knowing that God speaks well of us, and that we are His servants.


Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/14/17 10:42 PM

I would like to point out a difference in what Paul had to say and what the quarterly says.

Quote:
In Galatians 2:1–14, we find the apostle doing everything in his power to maintain the unity of the apostolic circle in the midst of attempts by some believers to destroy it. But as important as that unity was to Paul, he refused to allow the truth of the gospel to be compromised to achieve
it. Therefore, while there is room for diversity within unity, the gospel must never be compromised in the process.


Paul was writing to "believers" and asking them how someone had led them to believe something foreign to what he had taught them, to another gospel that isn't really a gospel at all. He didn't classify those teaching these things as believers for they were actually drawing people away from Christ. In referring to these people he said the following:

Quote:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 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.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.


Where does Paul actually call these people teaching the believers to abandon their faith in Christ believers? He does not. Believers are not accursed. It is only non-believers who are accursed, and by that I mean those outside the grace of Christ because they have not accepted Him. Someone who has truly accepted Christ will not lead others away from Him.
Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/15/17 12:09 AM

Another thought in addition to my previous post is that Paul, in referring to those in Jerusalem who were requiring Gentiles to be circumcised called them false brethren.

Quote:
Galations 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:


The Greek word translated as false is rendered as followed by Strong's:
Quote:
5569 pseudadelphos psyoo-dad'-el-fos from 5571 and 80; a spurious brother, i.e. pretended associate:--false brethren. see GREEK for 5571 see GREEK for 80


He called them spurious brothers, or pretended associates. That cannot be in any way be said to mean a fellow believer.
Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/15/17 05:01 AM

Good thoughts, Gary. Obviously, a "false brother" is not a "brother." It reminds me, as an English teacher, of "false cognates"--words that look the same between languages, but are not.

For example: "embarrassed" in English is NOT the same as "embarazada" in Spanish. The latter means "pregnant"! These are "false cognates," sometimes also referred to as "false friends." Second language learners often stumble over these. Just for fun, I'll copy in a table found on Spanishcognates.org that illustrates a few more of these.

English Word Correct Spanish Word Confused With English Translation
actually en realidad actualmente currently
assist ayudar asistir to attend
attend asistir atender to attend to
bizarre extraño bizarro gallant
carpet alfombra carpeta folder
choke estrangular chocar to collide
deception engaño decepción disappointment
embarrassed avergonzado embarazada pregnant
exit salida éxito success
idiom modismo idioma language


On the forum here, much confusion arises from individuals who have conflated intra-language (English only) "false friends," assuming their meanings are related when this is simply not so. I like the fact that God's law is said to be so precise as to not suffer the change of a single jot or tittle. That means words are important. It behooves us to use words with precision and carefulness, and to pay attention to the words and expressions used by Biblical authors. At the same time, we must understand that errors have entered the text through translation (such as "Easter" instead of "Passover" in the KJV in one place) and be willing to look at the words in their original language when warranted.

Paul uses the term "false brethren" only twice in his writings. They are the only uses of the Greek word behind them in the Bible.

Quote:
ψευδάδελφος pseudádelphos, psyoo-dad'-el-fos; from G5571 and G80; a spurious brother, i.e. pretended associate:—false brethren.


It nearly seems something like a combination between the concepts of "hypocrite" and "infiltrator." To what degree the "false brother" professes to be a true Christian remains undefined. The term might comprehend a spectrum of individuals, and yet none of them would be a true "brother" (Christian). As Paul pointed out in his time, there are many non-Christian Adventists today. Beware of the wolves in sheep's clothing!
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/15/17 06:07 AM

Originally Posted By: Galatians 2
2.1 Then fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me as well.


PAUL PRESENTS THE PROBLEM:
He recounts a previous experience when he and Barnabas, along with Titus, a Gentile go to Jerusalem. Titus was a Gentile convert to Christianity and dear to Paul who called him "my own son after the common faith" (Titus 1:2)

Most will agree that this is referring to the same event recorded in Acts 15, as it deals with the same issue, which was then brought before the council at Jerusalem.

Quote:
[While in Antioch] Certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, saying, Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses YOU CAN NOT BE SAVED. And when Paul and Barnabas had fierce debate and controversy with them, it was appointed that Paul and Barnabas and some others go to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question…..when they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses’.” Acts 15:1-5
Here we find ourselves in the heat of the Jewish mindset. A person was "a heathen" unless he was a Jew. The only way one could be a Jew was to undergo circumcision and purification rituals and take studies in the Torah. So again we see the "Jewish party" insisting that a person FIRST had to become a "Jewish proselyte" before they could be offered any salvation privileges from God.

As the lesson points out, circumcision was the sign of the covenant relationship that God established with Abraham, the father of the Israelite nation. It had symbolic meaning of stripping away dependence upon one's own abilities, and depending totally on God. However, that symbolic meaning had been lost, and there was a general concept that circumcision was their ticket to heaven. Yet, for

Thus the Jewish Christians had a hard time setting aside the 'sign" that had so much importance to their religious/national identity.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/15/17 06:29 AM

So why does Paul go to Jerusalem?

Originally Posted By: Galatians
2.2 And I went up because God revealed I should do so, and communicated in a private interview, to men of repute, the same gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.


Paul seems to have been reluctant about going to Jerusalem to argue the situation, but the Lord impressed him to go. First he had a private meeting with some of the apostles. God gave Paul the truth of the gospel through revelation, but God also revealed to Paul to go to Jerusalem to confirm the gospel revealed to him, and to do this privately with the apostles BEFORE the controversial element presented their side.
God wants His ministers to have unity. It is apparent that the Judizers were pointing to the church in Jerusalem and citing the apostles in Jerusalem as their support; they were accusing Paul of faulty teachings, and out of line with the "men of repute" (apostles) in Jerusalem. This was a serious charge for the apostles had walked and talked with Christ for 3 1/2 years and were obviously chosen by Christ as His ambassadors, while Paul came later on the scene. This was why Paul started this letter with such emphases on his calling and how he was taught by Christ Himself the message he was carrying to the Gentiles.

There in Jerusalem the church leaders sided with Paul, shattering the whole contention of the Judaizers who were insisting Gentiles had to become "Jews" first before they were acceptable to God and eligible of the benefits bestowed by God.

After much disputing in that council, Peter stands up and recounts his experience with the Gentile Cornelius, telling them that God "put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." Acts 15:9

And so the Jerusalem Church Counsel votes against the Judiazers and supports Paul. The apostles are not divided.


IS UNITY IN LEADERSHIP IMPORTANT?

The answer is, YES!
If the church is serious about preaching truth in a convincing way, there needs to be unity amongst the leaders.
The old saying "divide and conquer" still holds a lot of truth.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/15/17 06:39 AM

Originally Posted By: Galatians

2.3 Yet even Titus, who was with me, though being a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised.
2.4 That demand was brought in by false brethren who slipped in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:


While in Jerusalem some "believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them'"

They used devious means to spy out whether Titus, who was a Gentile, was circumcised. The “church council” itself apparently voted that Titus should not be compelled to be circumcised and they also gave their blessing to Paul and Barnabas to continue their mission to the Gentiles, without requiring their converts to submit to circumcision, nor to the ceremonial Jewish laws.


It has been suggested that these "false brethren" were infiltrators, (slipped in to spy out our liberty) to "spy" on what they were doing and to make sure Jewish customs and laws were observed.

Paul says, "No! to their insistence that Titus (and all Gentiles) who convert must be initiated into the Jewish economy by circumcision. He told them that all are made one at the cross -- all are unclean sinners without Christ. Grace is available for all peoples, there's no distinction between Jews and the rest.

In our day a popular teaching has come in suggesting Paul, in Galatians is freeing the Gentiles from their obligation to obey God's law (particularly the Ten Commandments). But remember that Titus was the "test case" to resist the circumcision party. Yet in the book of Titus chapter one we read what Paul wrote this young man. Paul admonishes Titus to live a moral life (See Titus 1:5-9; 2:1-19) He even tells Titus that Christ's redemption includes cleansing us from every lawless deed and purifying a people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:11)

Paul explains a bit more to Titus about those "false brethren" of the circumcision, who infiltrated the church.
Notice what type of characters they have –
•insubordinate
• idle talkers
• doing this for monetary gain
• they follow the commandments of men
• They (these Judizing men) profess to know God but in works they deny Him living in abominable disobedience and disqualified for every good work. Titus 1:16
In spite of their insistence on Jewish initiation rituals, and other ceremonies, their lives and actions show they have never been circumcised of the heart. insubordinate idle talkers doing this for monetary gain they follow the commandments of men They (these Judizing men) profess to know God but in works they deny Him living in abominable disobedience and disqualified for every good work. Titus 1:16 In spite of their insistance on Jewish initiation rituals, their lives show they have never been circumcised of the heart.
Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/15/17 07:04 AM

dedication,

Have you read F.C. Gilbert's book, From Judaism to Christianity? In it he talks about how he was raised to be a rabbi and how hatred for Christians was deliberately instilled in him starting at a very young age.

I know this is centuries after Paul's day, but when we see how the Jews pursued and persecuted Christians in Paul's day it's hard to see how the levels of hatred were that much greater in Gilbert's day than in Paul's day. The point i'm getting at is that it was drummed into a Jewish boy's mind from a very, very young age and onward that circumcision and Jewishness was something that made them very, very special, and that Gentiles were of less value than dogs. Thus even in the minds of the Jews who accepted Christ it was almost impossible for them to understand how someone could be accepted into the church without being circumcised.

I think sometimes we overlook how difficult it must have been for a Jew to accept a Gentile as an equal inside the church, let alone that the Gentile didn't need to be circumcised. To me, the fact that there were Jews who did accept the Gentiles as equals points to the amount of power that was exercised by the Holy Spirit during that time, because only through the transforming power of the Spirit could such change take place.

This level of power is also implied by Paul's statements in ICorinthians 1:10:
Quote:
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.


This also implies a level of self-surrender and commitment that is very, very rare to day in the Christian world. We are far too self-driven and self-motivated these days. I think we have forgotten, or maybe even never really known, what true surrender really means. If we aren't ignorant of it, then what excuse do we have so many, and so large, divisions in the church? In Acts Paul says that all believed alike: they were of one heart and one soul.

To me this points to the fact that we don't really understand what it is we lack. And I'm not excluding myself from this either. I am part of the problem. "I" is the problem, at least in my understanding. We have been raised and surrounded by the "me" culture all of our lives, and it's effect upon us is just as strong as the Jewish education was upon the Jews.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/15/17 07:16 AM

Originally Posted By: Galatians

2.5 We did not yield them submission, no, not for a minute; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
2:6 And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)
2.7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
2.8 (For he who worked effectually through Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
2.9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
2.10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.



Suppose the council had confirmed the teachings of these false brethren, and had decreed that circumcision was necessary for justification; what would have been the result? They would have turned people away from looking to Christ for their justification and forgiveness of sin; if people can be justified by simply cutting off a piece of skin, they have no need of Him.

Paul makes the remarkable statement that when Christ teaches His witnesses, there is a natural agreement amongst them. He had not been instructed by the apostles in Jerusalem, his gospel came straight from God, yet they had the same gospel as he, in contrast to the “false gospel”.

The gospel is not defined by the "importance of men", but all true gospel believers preach the same gospel! Notice, however, Paul’s constant focus here, that God does NOT evaluate people according to their heritage, nationality or position. “GOD IS NOT PARTIAL” to these things.

The gospel was to go both to the “Jews” (circumcised) and the "Gentiles" (uncircumcised) Both needed to hear the gospel! Peter was being led by God to work effectively for the Jewish people, and Paul had his mission to the Gentiles.

At the Jerusalem Council Peter made a strong speech in support of Paul's gospel (see Acts 15:6-11) James, citing scripture, confirmed Peter's speech and the council sent representatives, Silas and Judas, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas to establish the decision. (Acts 15:25-27) Paul and Baranabas were sent on their mission with the blessings of the other apostles
Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/15/17 07:45 AM

Quote:
Paul makes the remarkable statement that when Christ teaches His witnesses, there is a natural agreement amongst them. He had not been instructed by the apostles in Jerusalem, his gospel came straight from God, yet they had the same gospel as he, in contrast to the “false gospel”.


I agree that IF Christ is doing the teaching then there will be agreement, there will be a oneness of soul and spirit between those who accept His teaching. But the IF is decided by the surrender of self. Self gets in the way of Christ's teachings, and even of our listening to them or accepting them. It is the choices we make that decide if we are really going to be taught by Christ or by someone other than He.

If we surrender self we come into agreement with Christ and with other's who surrender to Him also. This is the promise of Jesus.

Quote:
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/15/17 08:01 AM

Originally Posted By: Gary K


I think sometimes we overlook how difficult it must have been for a Jew to accept a Gentile as an equal inside the church, let alone that the Gentile didn't need to be circumcised. To me, the fact that there were Jews who did accept the Gentiles as equals points to the amount of power that was exercised by the Holy Spirit during that time, because only through the transforming power of the Spirit could such change take place.

This level of power is also implied by Paul's statements in ICorinthians 1:10:
Quote:
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.


This also implies a level of self-surrender and commitment that is very, very rare to day in the Christian world. We are far too self-driven and self-motivated these days.


I was thinking along the same line and glad you pointed it out in greater detail.
It was a radical change for the believing Jews, even for the apostles. After three and a half years with Christ, they were still disputing amongst themselves who would be the greatest in the kingdom they hoped Christ would set up, which would subjugate the surrounding nations.

The change in them of "before the cross" and "after" is huge! And yes, it took the mighty powerful working of the Holy Spirit within them. and a humbling of self and a much deeper dependence upon God that made the change..
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/15/17 05:31 PM

Originally Posted By: Galatians
2.7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;


Unity in the truth of the gospel, but diversity in spiritual gifts.

Too often when we see talk of "diversity in the church" people think it means diversity in truth, yet here in Galatians we see that unity in the truth of the gospel was strongly sought, no matter if it "pleased men" or not, for they "did not yield them (those teaching a false gospel) submission, no, not for a minute; that the truth of the gospel might continue".

Diversity is in the gifts of the Spirit, not in the truth of the gospel.

Paul to the Gentiles --
Peter to the Jews --
Both united in the same gospel but having different spiritual gift.

What made Paul more effective as an apostle to the Gentiles?
Yes, he was specially taught by God for his work, that is the prime ingredient for spiritual effectiveness.
Yet we can also consider the backgrounds of these men.

All the original disciples were raised in the Jewish culture, where the resentment to the Roman presence was very strong, and the attitude to keep oneself totally separate from these heathen Gentiles where ever possible, was considered the right way to live.

Paul, on the other hand, though educated as a Pharisee under the tutelage of a very prominent teacher in Judea, never the less grew up in Tarsus (which is in present day Turkey) born of Jewish parents, he was also born a Roman citizen. Thus he understood the Gentile culture in a way that the other apostles did not understand. It would have been easier for him to relate to their way of understanding things.

Missionaries who meet their audience at their present understanding and lead them into truth have far greater success, than those who do not understand the initial mind set of their audience.

In this sense Paul had a spiritual gift -- which the Holy Spirit developed -- which helped to make him a powerful witness to the Gentiles. Peter, on the other hand had a little more of a struggle to entirely let go of his earlier attitude even though he was convinced by the Holy Spirit in the truth that the gospel was for Gentiles as well as for Jews.

Peter's little experience in Antioch shows he still had a struggle, when he sought to "please men" by separating himself from the Gentiles, yet he took the stern reprove from Paul with meekness. The unity in truth was maintained.
Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 12:54 AM

I would like to ask a question here.

Quote:
Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;


What, in verse 15, is Paul referring to as "the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances" that Christ broke down to make of two one new man? To what law is Paul referring?
Posted By: Josh M

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 05:09 AM

@Gary K

I did a search and came across this post in an old thread: link

It seems good, and especially the quote from A.T. Jones.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 06:04 AM

Let's see if the context gives the answer:

2:11 Wherefore remember, that you [Gentiles] in the past, born as Gentiles, who are called Uncircumcision by those who are called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
2:12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:


Before Christ came, salvation was in the keeping of the Israelites who had entered into a covenant with God, the Gentiles were outsiders in a very sad spiritual condition.

The text notes circumcision as a distinguishing mark as to who belongs to the commonwealth of Israel and who is an outsider.


2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off are brought near by the blood of Christ.
2:14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];


The blood of Christ, His sacrifice, puts them all on the same plane. They are made "one" --
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. . . . There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28."

He broke down the middle wall of partition between them.
The "middle wall" must be part of the "law in the ordinances" that separated them.

The word "broken down" is more correctly translated as "loosed"
The word "wall" is more correctly translated as "hedge".
putting the two together one should immediately notice that the text should read "loosed the hedge".

What hedges had the Jews established around themselves to protect themselves from the heathen?
One such precept did not allow Jews to enter the home of a Gentile (see Acts 10:28}

We know the whole temple ceremonies offered only very restrictive admittance to Gentiles.
Yet, the ceremonial laws set forth forgiveness and cleansing all in the context of the temple rituals. Without these there was no admittance into the commonwealth of Israel.

The actual ritual mentioned in these verses is the rite of circumcision -- in the Jewish laws, every male must be circumcised in order to be part of the commonwealth of Israel.


2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;


So Christ abolished commands contained in ordinances that separated the Jews from the Gentiles.
The context seems to point to

1. Circumcision
Romans 3;30 God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

2. The temple ceremonies for forgiveness and cleansing through sacrifices etc.

Heb7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law
7:24 But this [man, Jesus], because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.






2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 06:11 AM

The posts linked, talk a lot about the enmity, trying to link the enmity to ceremonial laws.
Why was the ceremonial law "enmity"? It wasn't.

The enmity was the ill feelings between Jews and Gentiles.
The enmity was the Jews thinking any uncircumsized Gentile was "a dog". And the Gentiles in turn thinking the Jews were a bigoted people, etc.
Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 07:17 AM

Originally Posted By: dedication
The posts linked, talk a lot about the enmity, trying to link the enmity to ceremonial laws.
Why was the ceremonial law "enmity"? It wasn't.

The enmity was the ill feelings between Jews and Gentiles.
The enmity was the Jews thinking any uncircumsized Gentile was "a dog". And the Gentiles in turn thinking the Jews were a bigoted people, etc.


I will respectfully disagree here. The "enmity" was the natural opposition, even hatred, toward the law of God. But when a man has a renewed heart, this enmity is abolished.

Mrs. White addresses these concepts.

Originally Posted By: Ellen White
Many of this class whose hearts are carnal, take the position that the law of God is abolished. "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." They have not been transformed by the renewing of their minds. They are lawless. The profess to be holy, while they are servants of sin. Many of those who teach that the law of God is abolished are lascivious men, fornicators, and adulterers. They are forward to rate against the law of God, and curse the bondage of the law. Their bitter speeches illy compare with the words of Paul: "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." {RH, March 8, 1870 par. 4}

Paul in his epistle to Timothy describes the very men who are under the bondage of the law. They are the transgressors of the law. He names them lawless, disobedient, sinners, unholy, profane, murderers, adulterers, liars, and all who depart from sound doctrine. 1 Timothy 1:9, 10. {RH, March 8, 1870 par. 5}


As respects the "Jew" and "Gentile" (assuming converted versus unconverted ones here), God has said He would put enmity between them.

Originally Posted By: Ellen White
When the Lord Jesus visited our earth, he brought with him renovating energy. He put enmity between the seed of the woman and the serpent. But there is no enmity between fallen angels and fallen men. Both, through apostasy, are evil; and wherever there is evil, with no disposition to repent, it will always league with Satan against God. Fallen men and fallen angels unite in a desperate struggle to destroy God's great standard of righteousness. There was a bond of sympathy among the angels that Satan succeeded in drawing into rebellion, and he made them his allies in the effort to dethrone God and to abolish his law. Satan's work in our world today is to destroy the moral image of God in man, by making void the divine law; and our enemies are inspired by his spirit. By casting aside God's great standard of character, he can deprave human nature, and win men and women to his standard; for, "Where no law is, there is no transgression." With what triumph, then, he watches the professedly Christian world, as they earnestly do the very work he is doing. {RH, January 26, 1897 par. 8}


The "seed" of each class deals with the followers--those who are of the same "feather" and "flock together." God will separate His people from the ungodly.

But here is perhaps the best and clearest statement regarding the meaning of the "enmity" in her writings.

Originally Posted By: Ellen White
Only those who are sanctified through the truth will be accepted as heirs of eternal life. The sanctification that God intends his children should have, is not of that character which leads men to boast of their holiness and reject the law of God, which is "holy, and just, and good." Bible sanctification is implicit obedience to the requirements of God. Christ did not die to save anyone in the pollution of sin. He came to "save his people from their sins," that "the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled" in his followers. The death of the Son of God on the cross demonstrates the immutable character of the precepts of Jehovah. Then how grieved should we be for every transgression and disobedience. The precious Saviour was bruised for our iniquity. There is enmity against the commandments of God in the hearts of those who claim sanctification and refuse to acknowledge the binding obligation of the law. Hatred arises in their hearts as soon as the law is mentioned. They profess to believe that the law is abolished. But if the law is abolished, what is the standard by which we shall be judged before the judgment-seat of Christ? This work of belittling the law is the work of the great deceiver. If Satan can persuade men that the God of the universe has no law by which he governs them, then he can set up a standard of his own, and turn men into the path of transgression and destruction. {ST, February 10, 1888 par. 5}


It is this enmity against God's law that Jesus came to destroy. By His death, He uplifts and glorifies the law, putting it in a new light--for it was the law that demanded the death of the sinner, but God, fulfilling the law in our place, opened the path to life.
Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 07:18 AM

Originally Posted By: dedication
The posts linked, talk a lot about the enmity, trying to link the enmity to ceremonial laws.
Why was the ceremonial law "enmity"? It wasn't.

The enmity was the ill feelings between Jews and Gentiles.
The enmity was the Jews thinking any uncircumsized Gentile was "a dog". And the Gentiles in turn thinking the Jews were a bigoted people, etc.


But Paul specifically says that the enmity was "even the law of commandments contained in ordinances". That is very specific. Paul is referring to a law. There can be no doubt about it.

I agree that the law was not the ceremonial law. But what law was it? I have an answer that fits, but just want to see if you come to the same conclusion.
Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 07:49 AM

Originally Posted By: Green Cochoa
Originally Posted By: dedication
The posts linked, talk a lot about the enmity, trying to link the enmity to ceremonial laws.
Why was the ceremonial law "enmity"? It wasn't.

The enmity was the ill feelings between Jews and Gentiles.
The enmity was the Jews thinking any uncircumsized Gentile was "a dog". And the Gentiles in turn thinking the Jews were a bigoted people, etc.


I will respectfully disagree here. The "enmity" was the natural opposition, even hatred, toward the law of God. But when a man has a renewed heart, this enmity is abolished.

Mrs. White addresses these concepts.

Originally Posted By: Ellen White
Many of this class whose hearts are carnal, take the position that the law of God is abolished. "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." They have not been transformed by the renewing of their minds. They are lawless. The profess to be holy, while they are servants of sin. Many of those who teach that the law of God is abolished are lascivious men, fornicators, and adulterers. They are forward to rate against the law of God, and curse the bondage of the law. Their bitter speeches illy compare with the words of Paul: "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." {RH, March 8, 1870 par. 4}

Paul in his epistle to Timothy describes the very men who are under the bondage of the law. They are the transgressors of the law. He names them lawless, disobedient, sinners, unholy, profane, murderers, adulterers, liars, and all who depart from sound doctrine. 1 Timothy 1:9, 10. {RH, March 8, 1870 par. 5}


As respects the "Jew" and "Gentile" (assuming converted versus unconverted ones here), God has said He would put enmity between them.

Originally Posted By: Ellen White
When the Lord Jesus visited our earth, he brought with him renovating energy. He put enmity between the seed of the woman and the serpent. But there is no enmity between fallen angels and fallen men. Both, through apostasy, are evil; and wherever there is evil, with no disposition to repent, it will always league with Satan against God. Fallen men and fallen angels unite in a desperate struggle to destroy God's great standard of righteousness. There was a bond of sympathy among the angels that Satan succeeded in drawing into rebellion, and he made them his allies in the effort to dethrone God and to abolish his law. Satan's work in our world today is to destroy the moral image of God in man, by making void the divine law; and our enemies are inspired by his spirit. By casting aside God's great standard of character, he can deprave human nature, and win men and women to his standard; for, "Where no law is, there is no transgression." With what triumph, then, he watches the professedly Christian world, as they earnestly do the very work he is doing. {RH, January 26, 1897 par. 8}


The "seed" of each class deals with the followers--those who are of the same "feather" and "flock together." God will separate His people from the ungodly.

But here is perhaps the best and clearest statement regarding the meaning of the "enmity" in her writings.

Originally Posted By: Ellen White
Only those who are sanctified through the truth will be accepted as heirs of eternal life. The sanctification that God intends his children should have, is not of that character which leads men to boast of their holiness and reject the law of God, which is "holy, and just, and good." Bible sanctification is implicit obedience to the requirements of God. Christ did not die to save anyone in the pollution of sin. He came to "save his people from their sins," that "the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled" in his followers. The death of the Son of God on the cross demonstrates the immutable character of the precepts of Jehovah. Then how grieved should we be for every transgression and disobedience. The precious Saviour was bruised for our iniquity. There is enmity against the commandments of God in the hearts of those who claim sanctification and refuse to acknowledge the binding obligation of the law. Hatred arises in their hearts as soon as the law is mentioned. They profess to believe that the law is abolished. But if the law is abolished, what is the standard by which we shall be judged before the judgment-seat of Christ? This work of belittling the law is the work of the great deceiver. If Satan can persuade men that the God of the universe has no law by which he governs them, then he can set up a standard of his own, and turn men into the path of transgression and destruction. {ST, February 10, 1888 par. 5}


It is this enmity against God's law that Jesus came to destroy. By His death, He uplifts and glorifies the law, putting it in a new light--for it was the law that demanded the death of the sinner, but God, fulfilling the law in our place, opened the path to life.


I would disagree with your conclusion. Why? There is an actual law that codified the enmity between Jew and Gentile.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 08:02 AM

Originally Posted By: Gary K


But Paul specifically says that the enmity was "even the law of commandments contained in ordinances". That is very specific. Paul is referring to a law. There can be no doubt about it.

I agree that the law was not the ceremonial law. But what law was it? I have an answer that fits, but just want to see if you come to the same conclusion.


Did you read my answer?

Here

Or just the comment I made concerning Tom's post.

So what are your thoughts on the issue?


Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 08:10 AM

Originally Posted By: Green Cochoa



I will respectfully disagree here. The "enmity" was the natural opposition, even hatred, toward the law of God. But when a man has a renewed heart, this enmity is abolished.


I fully agree with the concept you presented here, but not sure it is what the particular text under discussion is talking about, though in a broader sense it may be part of it.
We'd have to change the wording from

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
to
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity against the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Originally Posted By: Green Cochoa
As respects the "Jew" and "Gentile" (assuming converted versus unconverted ones here), God has said He would put enmity between them.


Again it's not directly addressing what the text is saying -- it is talking about literal Gentiles, who up to this point had been excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and literal Jews becoming one in Christ.


Originally Posted By: Green Cochoa
It is this enmity against God's law that Jesus came to destroy. By His death, He uplifts and glorifies the law, putting it in a new light--for it was the law that demanded the death of the sinner, but God, fulfilling the law in our place, opened the path to life.


Again I fully agree with the concept you present for indeed when Christ enters our lives, he takes away the enmity against His law.
However, it isn't addressing the verse, as the verse specially says a law that caused separation is abolished, broken down, so that the Gentiles by the blood of Christ become fellow heirs with the Jews who also need the blood of Christ -- they are one.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 08:10 AM

Here is the explanation again -- the actual verses from Ephesians are in blue. A couple changes for clarification added to my explanations.

Originally Posted By: dedication
Let's see if the context gives the answer:

2:11 Wherefore remember, that you [Gentiles] in the past, born as Gentiles, who are called Uncircumcision by those who are called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
2:12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:


Before Christ came, salvation was in the keeping of the Israelites who had entered into a covenant with God, the Gentiles were outsiders in a very sad spiritual condition.

The text notes circumcision as a distinguishing (but only of the flesh) mark as to who belongs to the commonwealth of Israel and who is an outsider.


2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off are brought near by the blood of Christ.
2:14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];


The blood of Christ, His sacrifice, puts them all on the same level. They are made "one" --
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. . . . There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28."

He broke down the middle wall of partition between them.
The "middle wall" must be part of the "law in the ordinances" that separated them.


What walls or hedges had the Jews established around themselves to protect themselves from the heathen?
One such precept did not allow Jews to enter the home of a Gentile (see Acts 10:28}

We know the whole temple ceremonies offered only very restrictive admittance to Gentiles.
Yet, the ceremonial laws set forth forgiveness and cleansing all in the context of the temple rituals. Without these there was no admittance into the commonwealth of Israel.

The actual ritual mentioned in these verses is the rite of circumcision -- in the Jewish laws, every male must be circumcised in order to be part of the commonwealth of Israel.


2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments in ordinances; for to make in himself of the two, one new man, so making peace;


So Christ abolished commands contained in ordinances that separated the Jews from the Gentiles.
The context seems to point to

1. Circumcision
Romans 3;30 God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.


However, I believe it also includes
2. The temple ceremonies for forgiveness and cleansing through sacrifices etc. from which Gentiles had been largely denied, but now the way to heavenly sanctuary by the blood of Christ was wide open for them as well as for the Jews. There was no difference.

Heb7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law
7:24 But this [man, Jesus], because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.






2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 08:56 AM

To begin the next lesson

LESSON FOUR
Justification by Faith Alone



Quote:
Galatians 2:15-21
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!
18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died 1in vain.”


(From the lesson)
"This passage contains some of the most compressed wording in the New Testament, and it is extremely significant, because it introduces us for the first time to several words and phrases that are foundational both to understanding the gospel and to the rest of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. These key words include justification, righteousness, works of law, belief, and not only faith but even the faith of Jesus.

What does Paul mean by these terms, and what do they teach us about the plan of salvation?"
Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/16/17 09:23 AM

Originally Posted By: dedication
Originally Posted By: Gary K


But Paul specifically says that the enmity was "even the law of commandments contained in ordinances". That is very specific. Paul is referring to a law. There can be no doubt about it.

I agree that the law was not the ceremonial law. But what law was it? I have an answer that fits, but just want to see if you come to the same conclusion.


Did you read my answer?

Here

Or just the comment I made concerning Tom's post.

So what are your thoughts on the issue?




Yes, I read it. The answer, I think, is found in the fact that Paul was highly educated in the schools of the Pharisees. And what did the Pharisees teach?

1. That, in the eyes of the Jews of Christ's and Paul's day, the Mishna and Gemara, the Oral Law, were superior to the Torah.

Quote:
TEACHINGS OF RABBIS PLACED ABOVE GOD’S WORD
15. They were putting themselves in the place of God to the people; their sayings were placed
upon equality with God’s teachings. Hence we read that the written law was like water; but the oral law,
Mishna, was like wine: the Gemara, like spiced wine. Some went as far as to say that the words of the
scribes are lovely above the words of the law (meaning the written law), for the words of the written law
are weighty and light; but the words of the scribes are all weighty. One, Rabbi Judah, son of Tamai, said:
“A child at five years should study the Bible, at ten the Mishna, at fifteen the Gernara.”
From this last statement it can be seen that three times as much value is placed upon the words of
men as upon the words of God. The person as he comes to years of maturity should regard the words of the
Scripture only one-third as much as he does the words of the rabbis. Yes, they go so far as to say:
“Yea, though they should tell thee that thy right hand is the left, and the left hand that it is the
right, it must be believed.”
It is not surprising, then, that the Savior condemned those teachers for making void the word of
God by their tradition. By their multiplicity of maxims they enslaved the man; they put the word of God
aside, in order that their words might be highly esteemed.


2. That the Gentiles were so vile that any kind of interaction with a Gentile made the Jew unclean.

Quote:
PHARISAICAL LAWS OF SEPARATION
14. Before we consider some of these laws concerning the question of separation, we might with profit notice a certain scripture which will perhaps enable us better to understand its significance as we consider these rabbinical laws. This passage is found in Acts 10: “And he [Peter] said unto them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation; hut God hath shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” [22]

15. Possibly some may have thought that the unlawfulness here referred to originated with God, and at some time was commanded to the Jews; and, therefore, Peter had this in mind when he said, “You know how that it is an unlawful thing.” Such an idea is erroneous. God had nothing whatever to do with any such law; He never had commanded it in any such term or spirit. The Pharisees taught that not under any circumstance was a Jew allowed to have any dealing with a Gentile.

SYNOPSIS OF LAWS

If a Jew were compelled to transact any business with a Gentile, he was obliged to cleanse himself both before and after the meeting.

If a Gentile were invited into the home of a Jew, the Gentile must not be left alone in the house during any portion of the time of his visit. If he were, then all the food in the house became unclean; and everything connected with the rooms through which the Gentile passed was defiled.

If a Jew were obliged to purchase any article of clothing, furniture, or any other utensil for domestic purposes from a Gentile, after he brought it to his house, he first had to wash his hands, because of his defilement in touching the object. Then the article itself would have to be cleansed, scoured, and thoroughly renovated.

If any Gentile lived in the same community with a Jew, and peradventure the Gentile was to have some festal celebration, for at least three days before this festal occasion, the Jew should have no transaction with the Gentile. If the Jew should have any intercourse with him during this time, he would be considered as assisting the Gentile in preparing his festivities.

If Gentiles were celebrating any heathen festivity, the Jew, if it were possible, should not pass through the city at this time, for fear that some bit of uncleanness might adhere to him.

It was forbidden to the Jew under most any circumstance, to do anything for a non-Jew. A Jewess was forbidden to assist a Gentile woman when giving birth to a child; she was not permitted to feed a child of another nationality, because then it would not only be defiling the Jewess, but would at the same time, by lengthening the life of the infant, encourage idolatry.

If a Gentile met with a disaster, such as having his house destroyed by fire, it was permissible for the Jew to assist him only in extreme cases; and these extreme cases had so many limitations and modifications, that the poor Gentile might have his house reduced to ashes and everything in it destroyed before he could receive any assistance.

A Jew must not have any part in the erection of any dwelling for a Gentile; this would be a defilement, and would cause him to become unclean. In the construction of no buildings was he permitted to have part.

A Jew must not sell, lease, or permit the use of any lands, houses, or real estate to a Gentile; for, after the Gentile had touched it, especially if he had used the house or land, all was unclean and defiled.

If a Gentile brought anything to a Jew as a gift, or for any other purpose, the Jew must not permit him to bring it into the house. Should the non-Jew succeed in bringing it into the house, the goods must be destroyed, and the house cleansed.

16. And so the list of laws might be continued indefinitely. The reader can better appreciate the thought when he is informed there is a tractate, entitled, “Abodah-Zorah,” or “Idolatry,” which treats of the relation between the Jew and the Gentile, containing five chapters, and no less than fifty sections. These are exclusively devoted to this one subject, and do not include scores of other laws scattered throughout the rabbinical writings. Can we not, then, appreciate the meaning of that text which Peter used when he came to Cornelius, in saying that it was unlawful for a man that is a Jew to come unto, or to keep company with, one who is not a Jew? But thank the blessed Lord, God revealed to him that there was no man common or unclean.


3. What did Ellen White say about one of the aspects of Christ's mission?

Ellen White says the following:
Quote:
In the days of Christ the established teachers instructed men in the traditions of the fathers, in childish fables, mingled with the opinions of those who they thought were high authorities. Yet neither high nor low could discern any ray of light in their teaching. What wonder was it that crowds followed in the footsteps of the Lord, and gave him homage as they listened to his words! He revealed truths that had been buried under the rubbish of error, and he freed them from the exactions and traditions of men, and bade them stand fast forever. He rescued truth from its obscurity, and set it in its proper framework, to shine in its original luster. He addressed men in his own name; for authority was vested in himself, and why should men, professing to be his followers, not speak with authority concerning subjects on which he has given light? Why take inferior sources of instruction when Christ is the great Teacher who knows all things? Why present inferior authors to the attention of students, when he whose words are spirit and life invites, “Come, ... and learn of me”? [Matthew 11:28, 29.] {CE 81.1}


4. The Bible makes it clear that there is no law coming from God that created enmity between Jew and Gentile:

Quote:
Genesis 22: 21 ¶Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Genesis 12: 48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

Leviticus 24:22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the Lord your God.

Numbers 15:16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.

Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.


So what was the codified law that created enmity between the Jew and Gentile? The Oral Law created by the Jews under the influence of Greek education. The fact that the Jews were under the influence of Greek education is talked about by Stephen N. Haskell in his book The Story of Daniel the Prophet, and also in the book I quoted from here, Practical Lessons From the Experience of Israel, by F.C. Gilbert an expert on the ancient Jews and their laws and beliefs, and a converted SDA Jew and contemporary of Ellen White.

Jesus referred to the Oral Law, but not by name. He would say, You have heard it said.... And when He condemned the Pharisees for teaching the people to break God's laws He was referring explicitly to the teachings of the Oral Law. Paul, as a strict Pharisee, lived by the Oral law, and if you carefully read his writings you will see it referred to several times as simply the law. When reading Paul it is only by context that one can know if he is talking about the moral law, the ceremonial law, or the Oral law.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 05:29 AM

Now there are three definitions of Ephesians 2:15 that readers can chose from.

1. Green's explanation -- no law is abolished, God takes away the enmity against the law. It is this enmity against God's law that Jesus came to destroy. By His death, He uplifts and glorifies the law.

^^^

2. Dedication's explanation -- since the passage directly refers to
a. circumcision and
b. the blood of Christ
And Christ abolished commands contained in ordinances that separated the Jews from the Gentiles.
The context seems to point to these laws as being taken away.

1. Circumcision
Romans 3;30 God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

2. The temple ceremonies for forgiveness and cleansing through sacrifices etc. from which Gentiles had been largely denied, but now the way to heavenly sanctuary by the blood of Christ was wide open for them as well as for the Jews. There was no difference.

Heb7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law
7:24 But this [man, Jesus], because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession

^^^

Gary's interpretation,
The laws abolished were the Mishna and Gemara, the Oral Law. These were commands or laws devised by the Rabbi's which they attached to the Torah as binding (some even more binding than the Torah itself). Included in these were laws promoting the extreme separation and avoidance of the Gentiles. God never intended this enmity to exist.

^^^^

I still like my interpretation best, as I see if fitting best in the context, but the others have value as well --
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 06:03 AM

Now to get into this week's lesson!

Originally Posted By: dedication


LESSON FOUR
Justification by Faith Alone



Quote:
Galatians 2:15-21
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!


(From the lesson)
"This passage contains some of the most compressed wording in the New Testament, and it is extremely significant, because it introduces us for the first time to several words and phrases that are foundational both to understanding the gospel and to the rest of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. These key words include justification, righteousness, works of law, belief, and not only faith but even the faith of Jesus.

What does Paul mean by these terms, and what do they teach us about the plan of salvation?"




After giving the background of the situation he is facing, Paul now shifts into theological discussions. We must continue to keep the setting in mind to understand the context.
Point One: Jews born as Jews need to be justified by faith in Christ. Though they have the law, the law can no more justify them then it can justify the Gentile.

We can rephrase it:
"Even though we, the natural Jews, have followed the law, yet we KNOW we need to be justified by Christ's blood just like the Gentiles.

Going through the rituals to become a Jew doesn't justify anyone. Circumcision won’t justify anyone; the works of the law won’t justify anyone. A circumcised sinner is still a sinner in need of salvation.
ALL, Jew and Gentile, need Christ for justification from sin.

The question is asked in the quarterly:

Paul uses the word justified four times in Galatians 2:16, 17. What does he mean by “justification”?
Duet. 25 “If there is a dispute between men, and they come to court, that the judges may judge them, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked...

"Justification is a legal term, used in courts of law. It deals with the verdict a judge pronounces when a person is declared innocent of the charges brought against him or her. It is the opposite of condemnation.

That's why Paul is emphasizing "a man is not justified by the works of the law". Why not?
Because all have sinned! If we appear in court, the law won't justify us, it will condemn us!

It matters not whether we were born into "the church" or born to atheist parents. The whole need for "justification" comes because people have learnt from the law that they are sinners and deserving death. Humbled by the law, there is only one place to go in repentance and that is to Jesus Who alone can forgive and justify.
Justification means that the guilt is removed and Christ's righteousness is given to the believer.

Does this mean Christ promotes sin, or gives license to sin just because, after looking at the law and finding ourseves sinners, we come to Christ for justification.
Paul says "God forbid"

This is reflected in several places of Paul's writings:

Romans 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Paul refuses to build up the old Jewish idea again that because we have followed some of the rules and rituals we are not sinners in need of justification. We have all sinned and need to acknowledge that fact so we come with humble, contrite hearts to Jesus. God can not pardon, forgive, justify and write His laws on a heart that is not humbled before Him.
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 06:28 AM

Does legal justification make one righteous?
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 06:38 AM

Stick to the text -- what is Paul saying in this verse.


Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Justification is not sanctification
Both are necessary. Earlier in the lesson we talked about the need for circumcision -- circumcision of the flesh is no longer necessary, but the circumcision of the heart.

However here Paul is talking about justification.
Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 07:44 AM

dedication,

What law is Peter quoting?


Quote:
Acts 10: 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 09:29 AM

Originally Posted By: dedication
Stick to the text -- what is Paul saying in this verse.


Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Justification is not sanctification
Both are necessary. Earlier in the lesson we talked about the need for circumcision -- circumcision of the flesh is no longer necessary, but the circumcision of the heart.

However here Paul is talking about justification.
What is the requirement for salvation? The law requires righteousness,--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. {DA 762.2}

Does legal justification make one righteous?

Is there other meanings for "justification" other than a legal definition?

Galatians 2:15-16 The Scriptures 1998+ (15) We, Yehudim by nature, and not of the gentiles, sinners, (16) knowing that a man is not declared right by works of Torah, but through belief in Yahushua Messiah, even we have believed in Messiah Yahushua, in order to be declared right by belief in Messiah and not by works of Torah, because by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right.

If as in this version, justification = being declared right, would it be a lie to declare someone right if they are not actually right?

The law of Jehovah was burdened with needless exactions and traditions, and God was represented as severe, exacting, revengeful, and arbitrary. He was pictured as one who could take pleasure in the sufferings of his creatures. The very attributes that belonged to the character of Satan, the evil one represented as belonging to the character of God. Jesus came to teach men of the Father, to correctly represent him before the fallen children of earth. Angels could not fully portray the character of God, but Christ, who was a living impersonation of God, could not fail to accomplish the work. The only way in which he could set [JUSTIFY] and keep [SANCTIFY] men right was to make himself visible and familiar to their eyes. That men might have salvation he came directly to man, and became a partaker of his nature. {ST, January 20, 1890 par. 6}

The Father was revealed in Christ as altogether a different being from that which Satan had represented him to be.
{ST, January 20, 1890 par. 7}

----
Donald Short, in "Then Shall the Sanctuary Be Cleansed", written in 1958 but not published until 1990.

As Adventists approach the splendor of the most holy place they move toward a crisis. If we cling to the typical nature of Evangelical orthodoxy and are content with the routine substitutionary gospel of forensic, legal justification, we too will find ourselves rejecting the final work of the High Priest which is to minister salvation from sin. This work is accomplished only in the most holy place. Because of its supreme importance Satan appeared to move in to try to carry on the work of God. His success with our spiritual forefathers in the days of Christ must be a warning to us. His compelling interest to deceive has not changed. As long as he can make God's people content and happy with an immature and corrupted idea of what the cleansing of the sanctuary is to accomplish, just so long he can hold them in his power.

This means that Satan will endeavor to commandeer the whole system of substitution just as he took over the old covenant system to fight against Christ and the preaching of the new covenant. He will proclaim that the gospel of the Reformation, the preaching of Luther, is sufficient to prepare a people for the second advent, and the Lord will come when we have done enough proclaiming. He will insist that substitution is sufficient and there is no need for repentance and cleansing. As long as he can veil apostasy in the garb of orthodoxy, he has the Remnant deceived in the same way he had the Jews deceived. As they were enveloped in the routine of the sanctuary services being the goal of life and guaranteeing their salvation, so we have been content to have the blood of the Lamb provide a legal cancellation of the record in the books of heaven without the law being written in the heart. In each case truth has been compromised, for these were only a shadow of the real heart-cleansing God intended to teach. People who appeared as adults were actually children in their understanding. And so are we.

Growing out of this there have been thousands of sermons about the deplorable condition of Laodicea while the root has been untouched and left intact. The real problem is satisfaction with self; we have all we need, we are content, we know the plan of salvation as verily as the Jews knew Abraham. But they received not the promise and they are all in their graves and they will stay there until we understand that God has provided some better thing for us, "that they without us should not be made perfect" (Heb_11:40). This consummation of redemption rests upon the shoulders of the final generation, a responsibility that can only be met when that generation senses the travail and distress it has caused, but which in its immaturity has mercifully been hidden from it.

We are that generation!
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 06:28 PM

It seems we are right back in the 1888 denial that we need Christ's justification.

It is the doom of Adventism to believe it is their achievement of righteousness that saves and to do so they must totally twist Paul's writings.

Yes, it's true that many twist it the other way -- implying we are saved without surrendering and repentance of sin, and "dying to self" and living for Christ in obedience. That is the other ditch.

But why is there this outright denial of our legal standing before God?
Without it, we are lost. PERIOD, I don't care how many sins you think you've overcome, without the legal standing before God -- the substitutionary sufficiency of Christ -- you are lost!



By the way -- I don't think Donald Short is correct. He tries to drive Adventism into the hopeless ditch of REJECTING the great truths of the Reformation.

That is why so many Adventists are "wandering the desert" in hopelessness. Hoping to get saved, but feeling unaccepted by God.

Satan doesn't care which ditch he pushes us into -- for there is salvation in neither.

Let's not push aside the scripture and bring forth the writings of men who are in opposition to the gospel.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 06:32 PM

Originally Posted By: Gary K
dedication,

What law is Peter quoting?


Quote:
Acts 10: 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.


As I said -- there is validity in both aspects when dealing with the text in Ephesians.
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 06:38 PM

Short is not rejecting the reformation. He is saying do not stop there.

God is not worried about our legal standing with Him. Many are worried about it! And "justification" is not a legal adjustment our standing but a "setting right", and putting us right, New Covenant thinking, of writing the law on our minds. Setting right and keeping right.

To declare someone legally righteous without being actually righteous, is a lie.

Let's not push aside scripture, let's understand what it is really saying.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 06:48 PM

However, let's turn to Galatians again --

What law is Paul referring to when he writes:

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

The 1888 controversy was over that question ---

What law is Paul referring to

The message these men were bringing was that the law in Galatians referred to God's law -- the ten commandments, not just the ceremonial law!
The older men stood up and said -- no, no, it refers to the ceremonial law, never to the ten commandments.

So who was right?

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 06:50 PM

Let's not push aside scripture, let's understand what it is really saying.

But you are pushing aside that scripture --
you seem to be refusing to even discuss it.

No one is saying to "stop there" --
But we need to START there.
Posted By: James Peterson

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 07:04 PM

Originally Posted By: dedication

The Protestant world is getting ready to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther — guided by the Holy Spirit — brought to millions crucial biblical truths that were long hidden under centuries of superstition and tradition....



It is interesting that you should have said that because the same is true for SDA that "Desmond Ford - guided by the Holy Spirit - brought to millions crucial biblical truths that were long hidden under decades of GROSSLY wrong interpretations of Daniel 8:14; he being the bright light that began with others long before him."

History keeps repeating itself over and over again. There is a unity of the faith and then there is a schism when the old become senile and blind to the greater light in which they live. Didn't the Jews reject Christ? And what was their end?

///
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 07:12 PM

Originally Posted By: dedication
However, let's turn to Galatians again --

What law is Paul referring to when he writes:

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

The 1888 controversy was over that question ---

What law is Paul referring to

The message these men were bringing was that the law in Galatians referred to God's law -- the ten commandments, not just the ceremonial law!
The older men stood up and said -- no, no, it refers to the ceremonial law, never to the ten commandments.

So who was right?

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.


The question in 1888 was what law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, and the answer was: all law. Both the 10C and the Ceremonial Law.
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 08:16 PM

And while the law in Galatians includes all law, the schoolmaster was speaking particularly of the moral law of 10 commandments as claimed by Jones and Waggoner.
Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/17/17 08:35 PM

Originally Posted By: dedication
Originally Posted By: Gary K
dedication,

What law is Peter quoting?


Quote:
Acts 10: 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.



As I said -- there is validity in both aspects when dealing with the text in Ephesians.

And in Galatians 2, what is causing Peter to do what he did there? What is causing the men from James to act as they did in so intimidating Peter? What was the foundation they were using to make Peter so uncomfortable that he stopped eating with the Gentiles? The link to Acts 10:28 is profound.

The law being referred to in this story is the Oral law. There is no other law that requires the separation of Jew and Gentile. And there is no salvation in following the Oral law, a law made by man.

Paul says, of his life as a Pharisee, that he was blameless before the law. What law? The Pharisees did not live by the 10 commandments. They broke them on a regular basis for the Oral law told them to. They lived by the Oral law. That was their guide, their study, their overwhelming passion, the rule of their lives. And it was by that law that the Gentiles were excluded from all association with Jews. That was the enmity.

By that law a man could live blamelessly, for it was a law of externals. The Oral law had no provision for the inner man such as God's law does. Thus Paul could honestly say that he had lived a blameless life with respect to the law. And the laws and theories of the rabbis were held above the law of God by the Jews. It was basically suicidal for a Jew not to live by the Oral law in Jewish society, for if he did not he was excommunicated, banned from the temple, and from all aspects of financial and societal life among the Jews.

It is only from this paradigm that Paul can be really understood. It was this that the Judaizer's were pushing. That the Gentiles had to live by the Oral law. God's law is righteousness. The Oral law is not.

What follows is again from F.C. Gilbert's book, Practical Lessons from the Experience of Israel.

Quote:
RABBINICAL LAWS AND USAGES MADE MEN SLAVES

19. Still the question remains open, “What is this yoke of bondage,” from which Christ came to free men, and which could not be borne by the ancestors of the Apostles? The answer is very simple, when we understand the laws and usage at the time of Christ, and the terror which they struck to the hearts of the people if they failed to observe them. When we understand the nature of some of these, and the penalties attached to them, then we can appreciate the saying of Christ and of the Apostles, and also understand that the freedom which Christ came to give was freedom from human fear and from human slavishness. All this was sin. [36] And what was true of the condition of people in Christ’s day at His first advent, is equally applicable at any other period of church history.

LAWS TOUCHING THE SABBATH

20. Perhaps in nothing was this bondage of human servitude more apparent than in the rabbinical laws of the Sabbath. There was not a moment, from the afternoon before the Sabbath, till the close of Sabbath, but what there was some law which bound the man either to do or not to do. He must not take a needle of thread or a piece of cloth with him any time Friday afternoon, for fear he might carry it with him on the Sabbath. To do this he would bear a burden on the Sabbath. Hence he must lose a half day’s labor on this day.

21. He must know every point of the Sabbatic laws concerning the toilet. For instance, when he first awakes, he must be sure not to touch his eyes with the tips of his fingers before he washes, because of the evil spirits which have been resting there during the night. If he should do so, he might be blind, or meet with some other calamity. When he washes, he must be sure to remember that he only washes certain parts of him, and this not with soap. For to wash with soap is unnecessary labor, and would be a violation of the Sabbath. He must be sure not to eat a particle of food before he goes to synagogue service; for this would not be a delight to the Lord, but simply carrying out his own delight. He must be sure to empty his pockets of everything, even to a pocket handkerchief, for this would be an unnecessary burden.

22. He must know just what kinds of knots may be tied and which are not permissible; for should he fall and injure one of his limbs if he tied his shoe-strings with the wrong kind of a knot, he would feel that this was because he violated the Sabbath.

23. He must be sure that he have no occasion to do any letter writing of any kind on the Sabbath, not even writing two letters of the alphabet together, if by so doing it would form a word which was intelligible. He must be very careful that he know the proper distance of a Sabbath day’s journey; for should he get over the line, he would be subject to Ma-koth Mar-doth, the flogging of rebellion.
159

SEVERITY OF RABBINICAL LAWS

24. In fact he must know the thirty-nine general divisions of laws touching the Sabbath, their subdivisions, their sections and sub-sections, their headings and their appendices, their smallest minutia and detail. Should any of these be unobserved, and one of the rabbis discover it, he would be subject either to punishment, excommunication, or to be placed under the ban, which would mean loss of livelihood, and the enduring of other hardships.

25. Should he, however, be on a journey during the Sabbath, or having started on a journey, find it impossible to return before the Sabbath begins, he must remember just what to do with his mule, his loose money, his pocket-book, his Gentile servant and everything else that concerns his Sabbath observance. For if everything were not punctiliously observed, whatever happened to him that day or for some time afterward, he would be told it was no doubt due to his having failed properly to keep the Sabbath. Thus scores, hundreds, yes, even thousands, of laws were made and enforced by the rabbis; and a11 must be observed as sacredly and as rigidly as the very law of God itself.

SCRIBES ENFORCE THEIR LAWS

26. We have a forcible illustration of the making and enforcing of laws by the rabbis, in the second holy day of the festivals, and its observances. For instance “ These are the six days on which the Scripture has forbidden the doing of work. The first and seventh day of the Passover; the first and the last of the Feast of Tabernacles; the day of the Feast of Pentecost. And the first day of the seventh month. All these are called holy days. The sabbatism of all is alike.” – “Laws of the Holy Days.”

“But to us who observe two days what is unlawful on the first day is also unlawful 6n the second day; and he who disregards the latter, is to be excommunicated.”- The Ways of Life.”

“Though the second holy day is of the words of the scribes only, everything which is considered unlawful on the first, is not permitted on the second. And every one who profanes the second holy day, even though it be the New Year’s, whether it be a matter relating to the Sabbath, or to work, or by going beyond the limit of the Sabbath, he is to be excommunicated, or to be beaten with the flogging of rebellion, providing he be not a Talmudist.” – “Laws of the Holy Days.”

27. We can thus see the force of the Savior’s statement, when He said that the scribes placed burdens upon the poor people, which they themselves would not touch with their finger. “Everything that is unlawful on the Sabbath, either because it has the appearance of work, or because it leads to work, is unlawful on a holy day.” – “Laws of the Holy Days.”

EFFECT OF THESE LAWS ON THE PEOPLE

28. Well could the Savior say of the scribes and Pharisees, that they made void the commandment of God, in order to observe their tradition. [37] The catalogue might be enlarged, in citations of the Sabbatic and other laws; (b) but sufficient has been given to show what a burden these were upon the people. It made life rigorous; it bound them with cruel bondage; it took away its joy and pleasure; it enslaved the minds as well As the bodies of men. There was many a man who believed in Jesus, but did not dare to confess Him for fear of excommunication. [38] And for a man to be excommunicated meant almost death. Did they only appreciate the meaning of the Savior’s words of freedom, and accept Him, they would certainly have been made free men. They thought and believed that the only way salvation and righteousness could come to them was by the punctilious observance of the thousand and one rabbinical sayings of the scribes.


Notice it was only by the punctilious observance of the Oral law that the pious Jew could obtain salvation, and they had been taught from the time they were a small child that the sayings of the rabbis were to be believed above the Torah. This was the slavery. This was the yoke of bondage. This was the enmity between Jew and Gentile.

It is in understanding this that the Sermon on the Mount,the stories of the Gospels, and much of Paul's writings, really come alive. Because of the fear that the Jewish people lived in of the rabbis and their exactions enforcing the Oral law Jesus had a very hard time making any headway with the people. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is destroying the Oral law. Almost everything He did was bent toward destroying that influence upon the people by demonstrating the love of God. Yet the belief was so embedded and so enforced through fear that many just could not accept His teachings. Fear of breaking the Oral law ruled the lives of the Jews. Their entire religion was a fear of breaking the innumerable laws it contained.

The Oral law is the source of the Pharisees enmity against Jesus. It is the source of the disciples being unable to understand the words of Christ. It is the source of the hatred of the Samaritans and Gentiles. It is the codified enmity that Jesus destroyed. It is the reason Paul had to spend years in the deserts and wilderness before taking up the ministry God intended that he should for he had to be brought to the point where he could actually break free from its influence and not look upon the Gentiles the way he had all of his previous life.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/18/17 06:22 AM

Quote:
Galatians 2L16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!


People who seek to be justified by the law will make hundreds of "oral laws", it's the natural result of seeking justification by the law.

A person is not justified by the works of the law (not the ten commandment law, not the 613 laws of the Old Testament, not the oral law, not by the works of any law) but by faith in Jesus Christ.

Justification is imputation of righteousness, a righteousness not of our own.

“ Imputation of the righteousness of Christ comes through justifying faith, and is the justification for which Paul so earnestly contends. He says: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God....
Grace is unmerited favor, and the believer is justified without any merit of his own, without any claim to offer to God. He is justified through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, who stands in the courts of heaven as the sinner's substitute and surety. But while he is justified because of the merit of Christ, he is not free to work unrighteousness. Faith works by love and purifies the soul. Faith buds and blossoms and bears a harvest of precious fruit. 1 SM 397-398


What is Justification by faith. Justification is how God legally sets me right through a substitute, someone who takes my place – in the place of me – This is the reality of the perfection that is lived out in the life of Christ.
Christ fulfilled righteousness, His life meets all the requirements set out by God’s law. To save humanity one needs infinite righteousness. Christ in his person is infinite. We need a perfect obedience to the law – and Christ is the only One who gave that perfect obedience to the law. That perfect life must be placed on record, instead of, in the place of, our highly faulty righteousness.
The same with Christ’s death; the wages of sin is death, Christ took our sins and died in our place. The required righteousness was lived out by Christ while He was on this earth walking among men as a man. It is His righteousness, His perfection, all the prophecy has prophesied that there would be a kinsman Redeemer.
Redemption is in something more objective then ourselves, it is in the person Jesus Christ.

Too many are afraid of justification --
They feel they must offer God their righteousness in order to be accepted.

Their religious lives are a desperate struggle to produce fruit, in order to be saved.
But no fruit grows because they do not believe they are accepted by God and thus their connection with God is faint.

The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of God and man is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken. {GW 161.1}

It is a misleading to believe that the exaltation of justification by faith will lead people to deny the need to overcome sin, for it is by the exaltation of justification by faith in Christ and HIS righteousness that the sinner is brought to a true knowledge of their sinfulness and is finally given the power to break the binding chains of Satan.
The more we lift up Jesus, the more we talk of His beauty, the more the heart will bind itself in sympathy with Christ and His sufferings. The more we present His sacrifice and behold His matchless love, the more we will be changed into his likeness, and by uniting ourselves with Christ in gratitude for salvation, the heart learns loyalty to God, and fidelity to His commandments.
By the exaltation of Christ’s righteousness, we learn that even our offerings of obedience are totally insufficient to earn heaven and we confess our utter dependency on Christ’s saving righteousness.
In binding our hearts in sympathy with Him that loved us the believer runs away from sin, willing to rather die than to wound Christ afresh by knowingly committing sin. All this is the result of the exaltation of Christ’s substitutionary righteousness and it is by this emphases that the believer becomes sealed against sin and prepared for translation.
Posted By: Garywk

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/19/17 01:19 PM

So now you're going to act as if the Oral law doesn't even exist?

It exists and the Jews followed it to a degree we have a hard time even comprehending. It is the only codified law that explains why the wall of separation exists between Jew and Gentile from the Jewish point of view.

Your position doesn't even begin to address the issue from that point. It just says the Gentiles hated the Jews because of God's moral law. To me that doesn't even make sense as it doesn't even begin to explain the hatred of the Jews for the Gentiles. In fact, God's moral law should have destroyed the hatred of the Jew for the Gentile.

Hatred for the law of God is a human race issue, not a Gentile issue. The Jews had just as much hatred of the law of God as the Gentiles did. We are all born in rebellion against it, and the Jewish religion had nothing in it that would dispel that natural aversion to God's law that exists in all of us.

So, no your theory doesn't hold water. God's law doesn't codify what Paul explicitly says: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances.... Only one law does explain that, and that is the Oral law. It's the only law the Jews had that fits all aspects of what Paul said.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/20/17 05:58 AM

The text is speaking of justification.
The works of the law will justify no man.

People who seek to be justified by the law, usually start with God's law, and to be sure they keep God's law, will make hundreds of "oral laws", it's the natural result of seeking justification by the law. How ever, as the Jewish experience shows, seeking to be justified by the law makes one exclusive and critical.

From the lesson:

Quote:
The phrase “the works of the law” likely involves, therefore, all the requirements found in the commandments given by God through Moses, whether moral or ceremonial. Paul’s point is that no matter how hard one tries to follow and obey God’s law, our obedience never will be good enough for God to justify us, to have us declared righteous before God. That’s because His law requires absolute faithfulness in thought and action — not just some of the time but all of the time, and not just for some of His commandments but for all of them.

Although the phrase “works of the law” does not occur in the Old Testament and is not found in the New Testament outside of Paul, stunning confirmation of its meaning emerged in 1947 with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of writings copied by a group of Jews, called Essenes, who lived at the time of Jesus. Although written in Hebrew, one of the scrolls contains this exact phrase. The scroll’s title is Miqsat Ma’as Ha-Torah, which can be translated, “Important Works of the Law.” The scroll describes a number of issues based on biblical law concerned with preventing holy things from being made impure, including several that marked the Jews out as separate from the Gentiles. At the end the author writes that if these “works of the law” are followed, “you will be reckoned righteous” before God. Unlike Paul, the author does not offer his reader righteousness on the basis of faith but on the basis of behavior.
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/20/17 07:25 AM

Originally Posted By: gary
19. Still the question remains open, “What is this yoke of bondage,” from which Christ came to free men, and which could not be borne by the ancestors of the Apostles? The answer is very simple, when we understand the laws and usage at the time of Christ, and the terror which they struck to the hearts of the people if they failed to observe them. When we understand the nature of some of these, and the penalties attached to them, then we can appreciate the saying of Christ and of the Apostles, and also understand that the freedom which Christ came to give was freedom from human fear and from human slavishness. All this was sin. [36] And what was true of the condition of people in Christ’s day at His first advent, is equally applicable at any other period of church history.


What is [36]?

John 8:33-34 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free? (34) Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the slave of sin.

There is your answer - sin is what causes bondage.

The discussion of the covenants is later in the quarter, the understanding lies in knowing the difference betweent the Old and the New Covenant.

At Sinai, Israel was offered the same covenant that Abraham received, but they rejected it and received what is called the Old Covenant which is based on the promises of the people to keep the law, obey and live. But they could not. They made all kinds of laws (little L) in order to try to keep the Law (big L), but how did it work for them? Salvation if found only under the New Covenant, based on better promises, the promises of God, who will renew the heart and bring it into harmony with the principles of the Law of God.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/21/17 06:09 PM


Tuesday: The Basis of Our Justification


“And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Phil. 3:9, NKJV).

"It’s important to remember that faith itself doesn’t add to justification, as if faith were meritorious in and of itself. Faith is, instead, the means by which we take hold of Christ and His works in our behalf. We are not justified on the basis of our faith but on the basis of Christ’s faithfulness for us, which we claim for ourselves through faith." (Lesson quoted_


Quote:
It is ignorance of Him that makes men so uplifted in their own righteousness. When we contemplate His purity and excellence, we shall see our own weakness and poverty and defects as they really are. We shall see ourselves lost and hopeless, clad in garments of self-righteousness, like every other sinner. We shall see that if we are ever saved, it will not be through our own goodness, but through God's infinite grace. {COL 159.1}


Quote:
Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided can make us meet to appear in God's presence. This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul. "I counsel thee," He says, "to buy of Me . . . white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." Revelation 3:18. {COL 311.3}
This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. "All our righteousness are as filthy rags." Isaiah 64:6. Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin. But the Son of God "was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin." Sin is defined to be "the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:5, 4. But Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. He said of Himself, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart." Psalm 40:8.
When on earth, He said to His disciples, "I have kept My Father's commandments." John 15:10. By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah. {COL 311.4}
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/21/17 08:14 PM

But the doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made the law of God of none effect; that by "believing" we are released from the necessity of being doers of the word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned. To the church of Ephesus He says, "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars; and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember then from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." {BEcho, February 8, 1897 par. 6}

Those who are teaching
this doctrine today have much to say in regard to faith and the righteousness of Christ; but they pervert the truth, and make it serve the cause of error. They declare that we have only to believe on Jesus Christ, and that faith is all-sufficient: that the righteousness of Christ is to be the sinner's credentials; that this imputed righteousness fulfills the law for us, and that we are under no obligation to obey the law of God. This class claim that Christ came to save sinners, and that He has saved them. "I am saved," they will repeat over and over again. But are they saved while transgressing the law of Jehovah?--No; for the garments of Christ's righteousness are not a cloak for iniquity. Such teaching is a gross deception, and Christ becomes to these persons a stumbling block as He did to the Jews,--to the Jews, because they would not receive Him as their personal Saviour, to these professed believers in Christ, because they separate Christ and the law, and regard faith as a substitute for obedience. They separate the Father and the Son, the Saviour of the world. Virtually they teach, both by precept and example, that Christ, by His death, saves men in their transgressions. {BEcho, February 8, 1897 par. 7}

Justifaction is setting right, not some adjustment of our legal standing, or the erasure of items in a book, but a healing, a repairing of the ruin that sin has made.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/22/17 07:42 AM

Does EGW contradict herself? Does she contradict the Bible?
Is she now saying that we are "justified by the works of the law" and that Christ's righteous merits do not "adjust our legal standing" after all? We must earn our title to heaven?

No!

The clue here is that she is addressing a problem -- the problem is that some people say
" that we are under no obligation to obey the law of God." That we can now safely engage in sin. That is error.

Paul addresses the same thing --

He tells us about justification--

"Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.


Then he answers the same concern voiced above:

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/22/17 08:11 AM

Wednesday: The Obedience of Faith

An intellectual assent to the gospel is not enough, for in that sense “even the demons believe.” True faith also affects the way a person lives. In Romans 1:5, Paul writes about the “obedience of faith.”


Notice in Jesus discussion with His disciples just before His death.

First He points out their "legal standing" -- "you are clean"
Perfect they were not but they had accepted Jesus,

Quote:
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.


Then He tells them how the fruit of obedience comes:
15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Back to Galatians we see Paul understands these words:


Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/24/17 08:18 AM

Lesson 5 July 22-28, 2017

Old Testament Faith

Portion of scripture in Galatians studied in our lesson this week.

Galatians Justification by Faith

3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?
3:2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.
8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on tree”),
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.


"foolish Galatians" "bewitched"
Strong words.
Paul literally says they are “mindless”, irrational. The Galatians were not thinking, they are "bewitched".

What were they doing to warrant such strong words from Paul?

The Galatians were departing from God by slipping into ritualistic religious practices; consequently, they were inevitably, although perhaps unconsciously, relapsing into idolatry.

It was folly to leave Christ and to start depending on ones own plan and set of rules for justification , to leave the Gospel for the law, and the doctrine of free justification by the righteousness of Christ, which brings so much solid peace and comfort with it, for the doctrines of ritualistic cleansing.

Some thoughts from Waggoner
Quote:

A Contrast: Under the Curse

Note the sharp contrast in verses 9 and 10. "Those who are men of faith are blessed," but "all who rely on works of the law are under a curse." Faith brings the blessing. Works bring the curse, or, rather, leave one under the curse. The curse is on all, for "he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:18. Faith removes the curse.

Who are under the curse? "all who rely on works of the law." Note that it does not say that those who do the law are under the curse, for that would be a contradiction of Revelation 22:14, KJV: "Blessed are they that do His commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." "Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!" Psalm 119:1.

So, then, they who are of faith are keepers of the law; for they who are of faith are blessed, and those who do the commandments are blessed. By faith they do the commandments. Since the gospel is contrary to human nature, we become doers of the law not by doing but by believing. If we worked for righteousness, we would be exercising only our own sinful human nature, and so would get no nearer to righteousness, but farther from it. But by believing the "exceeding great and precious promises," we become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4, KJV), and then all our works are wrought in God. "The Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. for they stumbled at that stumbling stone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." Romans 9:30-33, KJV.

[Glad Tidings, E.J.Waggoner]

Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/25/17 09:08 AM

Again the question
What were the Galatians doing to warrant such strong words from Paul?

Since those of faith are clearly depicted in scripture as being obedient to God's law, why would Paul be upset if they were keeping God's law? Or does the phrase "the works of the law" mean something else?

WHO WERE THE GALATIANS?

Galatia was a province in what is now Turkey, located in Asia Minor. Galatia was not a city, but as a province, it contained several cities, like Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Paul had been to these cities on his missionary trip through Asia Minor. The churches there would have been mainly composed of Gentiles, and the males were physically uncircumcised (Galatians 5:2; 6:12-13). The term ‘Galatians’ refers to Gallic tribes (Gauls, Celts) who are obviously not Jews.

RELIOUS BACKGROUDS:
A number of the Gentile Christians in Galatia were former worshippers of the true God, that is, Gentiles who had come to believe in the God of Israel, but who had not become Jews, probably because they did not want to be circumcised.

They were baptized into the Christian community without circumcision. Were they still ‘Gentiles’? Did they belong to Abraham and his seed? Were they part of the "family of God" heirs of the promises? Were they really in the covenant? These were questions which, if wrongly answered could greatly discourage the new Christians.

Then there were other Gentile converts who, before accepting Christ, probably worshipped in the pagan temples which were very prevalent in their cities.

In the Galatian city of Lystra, during Paul and Barnabas' initial visit there, the people of the area were so astonished when Paul and Barnabas, in the name of Jesus, healed a man, that they supposed them to be the pagan gods Jupiter and Mercury(Acts 14: 12) ! They wanted to sacrifice to them, and would have, if the apostles had not stopped them. (verses 13-18).
We know that pagan religions were strongly ingrained in the culture of this area.

WERE THEY GOING BACK TO PAGANISM OR ACCEPTING JEWISH LAWS?

It was probably a mixture of both--
There is a point where pagan religions and "justification by law" meet. That meeting point is that neither are based on a love and personal connection with God, even though both believe in God (or gods). Religion is reduced to satisfying the commands of God (or gods) in order to reap a positive reward, or escape a negative consequence. Religion becomes an external round of activities, not an inward love for God and the things of God.

Even in Israel itself prior to the exile to Babylon we see the Israelites trying to "please all the gods" in order to cover all bases and reap the rewards of a "satisfied" god. They would worship at the temple in Jerusalem, weep for Tamuz, offer gifts to baal, and feel the gods now owed them good crops and other blessings.

Thus it is the opinion of many, that this very thing was happening in Galatia.
When the Jewish Christians, zealous for the law, arrived and began preaching their version of the law which they grew up believing, there was much confusion.

A covenant, as understood by the Jew, was a contract in which, if they met their obligations to the law, God in turn was obliged to pay the promised recompense in proportion to their performances.
What were the results of such an understanding? The motive became mainly for external benefits, and thus the religious life became essentially an external religion. The letter of the law became the focus -- however, the letter of the law was then divided into categories and rules devised as to best meet the required situation in accord with the law, but then the categories too, were divided into more categories with more rules devised as to how best to meet those situations in accord with the law. And so an endless division with more "rules" was taking place; till one no longer was "good" and "obedient" to the Lord from a heart in tune with God, but rather was just trying to follow all the rules in order to earn a blessing from God.

Well -- if that's how "blessings" are earned, the Gentiles knew of other, more pleasant, ways to please the gods who, according to the pagan understanding, would then bless them.
Those ways were more pleasant than circumcision.

So we begin to understand Paul's enormous concern over what is happening in Galatia.

The Christians are losing their hold on Christ. They are being re-introduced to a pagan concept of "covenanting" or bargaining with the gods, by appeasing and pleasing them in order to win rewards and escape calamity. This in turn seems to be causing them to pick up pagan practices as well (as we will see further on in Galatians).

To them he writes with a passion, and points them back to Jesus,
Jesus, who was crucified and risen that they could be justified, and accepted into the family God.
How could they have forgotten this incredible act of salvation.

He also, later explains more about the true covenant -- a covenant that is Christ centered. We are justified by faith in Christ's sacrifice and life, accepted sons and daughters of God. We obey by faith, knowing that we ARE the children of God and part of the covenant community of faith, through Christ.
The whole focus is that salvation is ONLY through Christ, not through our works. Reach out and accept His justification. Our obedience is not to earn anything, but because we love our Savior, Who has redeemed us, and we desire to bring glory and honor to His name, we seek to live as true representatives of His kingdom.

Paul does not do away with the law. The law continues to define sin. But fully trusting in Christ and reaching out to Him we find forgiveness, removing the guilt of our sins. His love changes our motives, attitudes, and draws us into close relationship with Him, and transforms us in the "inner" self so that we love God's righteous rule, and want to live by it because it is good, but especially because He is so good.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/25/17 10:46 AM

Originally Posted By: lesson quarterly
Galatians 3:6-4:31 is made up of progressive arguments rooted in Scripture.

What does Paul mean when he writes about the “Scripture” in Galatians 3:6-8? Consider Rom. 1:2, Rom. 4:3, Rom. 9:17.

It is important to remember that at the time Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians there was no New Testament. When Paul quotes “Scripture,” he regularly quotes the Old Testament.

The Old Testament Scriptures play a significant role in Paul’s teachings. He does not view them as dead texts but as the authoritative and living Word of God.


Gal. 3:6-8 Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”

Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”


Paul makes the point that Abraham “believed in God and was declared righteous”.

The timing as to when Abraham believed and responded to God is important. Abraham, Paul declares was declared righteous in Gen. 15, before the sign of the Covenant was given in Genesis 17.

In Galatians 3:7-9, Paul uses a phrase “credited as righteousness” or "accounted for righteousness" in relation to Genesis 15. In this story, Abraham believed in the word of God as revealed to him and God considered him “right with God” as a result.



At this point in Abraham's life, by the rules of the agitators, Abraham should be considered a Gentile, as he was uncircumcised living in a society of pagans.
Since he believed in the God who called him out of his father’s land, he a “converted Gentile,” just like the Galatian believers.
Posted By: James Peterson

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/25/17 06:35 PM

Originally Posted By: dedication
Originally Posted By: lesson quarterly
Galatians 3:6-4:31 is made up of progressive arguments rooted in Scripture.

What does Paul mean when he writes about the “Scripture” in Galatians 3:6-8? Consider Rom. 1:2, Rom. 4:3, Rom. 9:17.

It is important to remember that at the time Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians there was no New Testament. When Paul quotes “Scripture,” he regularly quotes the Old Testament.

The Old Testament Scriptures play a significant role in Paul’s teachings. He does not view them as dead texts but as the authoritative and living Word of God.


Gal. 3:6-8 Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”

Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”


Paul makes the point that Abraham “believed in God and was declared righteous”.

The timing as to when Abraham believed and responded to God is important. Abraham, Paul declares was declared righteous in Gen. 15, before the sign of the Covenant was given in Genesis 17.

In Galatians 3:7-9, Paul uses a phrase “credited as righteousness” or "accounted for righteousness" in relation to Genesis 15. In this story, Abraham believed in the word of God as revealed to him and God considered him “right with God” as a result.



At this point in Abraham's life, by the rules of the agitators, Abraham should be considered a Gentile, as he was uncircumcised living in a society of pagans.
Since he believed in the God who called him out of his father’s land, he a “converted Gentile,” just like the Galatian believers.



What wonderful words! Such comfort to Roman Catholics. They need not be SDA to be saved after all; as it is indeed written, "Abraham believed in God and was declared righteous" and again, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no [SDA] can boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)

Praise the Lord! Finally, SDA are seeing the light after such a long time, since May 21, 1863 and since even before that. It's amazing!

///
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/25/17 09:46 PM

Originally Posted By: james
What wonderful words! Such comfort to Roman Catholics. They need not be SDA to be saved after all; as it is indeed written, "Abraham believed in God and was declared righteous" and again, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no [SDA] can boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)

Praise the Lord! Finally, SDA are seeing the light after such a long time, since May 21, 1863 and since even before that. It's amazing!
So, can we now transgress the law of God? Are we no longer required to keep the 10 Commandments?
Posted By: James Peterson

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/25/17 10:27 PM

Originally Posted By: APL
Originally Posted By: james
What wonderful words! Such comfort to Roman Catholics. They need not be SDA to be saved after all; as it is indeed written, "Abraham believed in God and was declared righteous" and again, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no [SDA] can boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)

Praise the Lord! Finally, SDA are seeing the light after such a long time, since May 21, 1863 and since even before that. It's amazing!
So, can we now transgress the law of God? Are we no longer required to keep the 10 Commandments?

The question is WWJD, "What would Jesus do?" All Christians follow Jesus Christ. It is rather surprising that only just recently in the third quarter of 2017 that SDA have finally found the truth and joined the worldwide community of Christians in acknowledging this.

///
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/26/17 04:46 AM

Originally Posted By: james
The question is WWJD, "What would Jesus do?" All Christians follow Jesus Christ. It is rather surprising that only just recently in the third quarter of 2017 that SDA have finally found the truth and joined the worldwide community of Christians in acknowledging this.

Jesus kept them all. Now why in 2017 are not all Christians keeping them?
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/26/17 07:43 AM

Originally Posted By: James Peterson


The question is WWJD, "What would Jesus do?" All Christians follow Jesus Christ. It is rather surprising that only just recently in the third quarter of 2017 that SDA have finally found the truth and joined the worldwide community of Christians in acknowledging this.


Yes, Christ is our example.
But where does one find the answer to "What would Jesus do?"

Is the answer in one's own head -- ???
Is it a --"This is what I THINK Jesus would do?
That would be making it all subjective as to what I feel???

Or is it in scripture
John 15:10 (Jesus said) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

We must not separate God's gracious gift of justification in which He accounts the believer as righteous; just as if we had never sinned--- from His sanctifying work of leading us into holiness and out of sin.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, (justified) and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3:3 And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
3:6 Whosoever abides in him does not continue in sin: whosoever continues in sin has not seen him, neither known him.
3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doea righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

Posted By: James Peterson

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/26/17 08:17 AM

Originally Posted By: APL
Originally Posted By: james
The question is WWJD, "What would Jesus do?" All Christians follow Jesus Christ. It is rather surprising that only just recently in the third quarter of 2017 that SDA have finally found the truth and joined the worldwide community of Christians in acknowledging this.

Now why in 2017 are not all Christians keeping [the 10 commandments]?

That is a good point and question. Why aren't SDA perfect? Why do YOU continue in sin?

///
Posted By: James Peterson

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/26/17 08:19 AM

Originally Posted By: dedication
Originally Posted By: James Peterson


The question is WWJD, "What would Jesus do?" All Christians follow Jesus Christ. It is rather surprising that only just recently in the third quarter of 2017 that SDA have finally found the truth and joined the worldwide community of Christians in acknowledging this.


Yes, Christ is our example.
But where does one find the answer to "What would Jesus do?"

Is the answer in one's own head -- ???
Is it a --"This is what I THINK Jesus would do?
That would be making it all subjective as to what I feel???

Or is it in scripture
John 15:10 (Jesus said) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

We must not separate God's gracious gift of justification in which He accounts the believer as righteous; just as if we had never sinned--- from His sanctifying work of leading us into holiness and out of sin.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, (justified) and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3:3 And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
3:6 Whosoever abides in him does not continue in sin: whosoever continues in sin has not seen him, neither known him.
3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doea righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.


See post above.

///
Posted By: kland

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/27/17 12:34 AM

Originally Posted By: James Peterson
Originally Posted By: APL
Originally Posted By: james
The question is WWJD, "What would Jesus do?" All Christians follow Jesus Christ. It is rather surprising that only just recently in the third quarter of 2017 that SDA have finally found the truth and joined the worldwide community of Christians in acknowledging this.

Now why in 2017 are not all Christians keeping [the 10 commandments]?

That is a good point and question. Why aren't SDA perfect? Why do YOU continue in sin?

///
Should all Christians strive for, to set a goal for being without sin?
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/27/17 08:02 AM


Is obedience the same as perfectionism?

People tend to shoot from both ditches, but the road of righteousness is not in either ditch.


Our perfection is in Christ's merits.
That's what justification is all about.
Christ's perfect life is credited to our account.
We can be fully forgiven, justified, as if we had never sinned, by coming to Christ and accepting Him as our Savior.

We are not justified by the works of the law.
However, a person who has accepted that justification, and truly abides in Christ, our Redeemer, will not continue in sin. Oh they may stumble and have battles, the flesh doesn't yield up it's self centered indulgences easily, but by the grace of Christ, they have turned their backs on sin and walk with Christ in the paths of righteousness. Yes, that path of righteousness is a life of obedience to His will (His commandments).

No -- our goal is not perfectionism, our goal is a daily walk in obedience with Christ. Placing our will under His will, -- Thy will, oh God, be done, and worked out in every part of my life.

Our focus is not on self-- (how sinless am I? ) No!
Our focus is in bringing honor and glory to God, and seeking to do His will.

In fact the reason sin still has so much power over a person, is because they are focused on SELF, either in selfish indulgence, or, fighting their sin, trying to make themselves acceptable to God, instead of coming to Christ in repentance, and receiving His justification, then knowing they ARE accepted and welcomed, they do strive daily, hourly, but the focus is to live in the presence and abiding with Christ. That's where the true "fight" is -- to stay continually connected with Christ.

The answer --
yes -- come to Christ and receive His justification -- now you are clean, yes, perfect in the merits of Christ, but you also need to count yourself dead to sin, for Christ died with your sins, (Study Romans 6) and now be alive in Christ. Keep that upper most in your mind. Live FOR HIM! Live WITH HIM! Abide IN HIM!
Then the promises that a person that is born again no longer continues in sin becomes a reality.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/27/17 09:18 PM

This weeks lesson can be found at
http://ssnet.org/lessons/17c/less05.html
Posted By: James Peterson

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/28/17 04:09 PM

Originally Posted By: kland
Originally Posted By: James Peterson
Originally Posted By: APL
Originally Posted By: james
The question is WWJD, "What would Jesus do?" All Christians follow Jesus Christ. It is rather surprising that only just recently in the third quarter of 2017 that SDA have finally found the truth and joined the worldwide community of Christians in acknowledging this.

Now why in 2017 are not all Christians keeping [the 10 commandments]?

That is a good point and question. Why aren't SDA perfect? Why do YOU continue in sin?

///
Should all Christians strive for, to set a goal for being without sin?

ALL Christians, without exception, do that. But some, just like SDA, are weak and stumble many times and in different ways for which reason John encourages, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

-- 1 John 2:1

///
Posted By: James Peterson

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/28/17 04:10 PM

Originally Posted By: dedication

Is obedience the same as perfectionism?

People tend to shoot from both ditches, but the road of righteousness is not in either ditch.


Our perfection is in Christ's merits.
That's what justification is all about.
Christ's perfect life is credited to our account.
We can be fully forgiven, justified, as if we had never sinned, by coming to Christ and accepting Him as our Savior.

We are not justified by the works of the law.
However, a person who has accepted that justification, and truly abides in Christ, our Redeemer, will not continue in sin. Oh they may stumble and have battles, the flesh doesn't yield up it's self centered indulgences easily, but by the grace of Christ, they have turned their backs on sin and walk with Christ in the paths of righteousness. Yes, that path of righteousness is a life of obedience to His will (His commandments).

No -- our goal is not perfectionism, our goal is a daily walk in obedience with Christ. Placing our will under His will, -- Thy will, oh God, be done, and worked out in every part of my life.

Our focus is not on self-- (how sinless am I? ) No!
Our focus is in bringing honor and glory to God, and seeking to do His will.

In fact the reason sin still has so much power over a person, is because they are focused on SELF, either in selfish indulgence, or, fighting their sin, trying to make themselves acceptable to God, instead of coming to Christ in repentance, and receiving His justification, then knowing they ARE accepted and welcomed, they do strive daily, hourly, but the focus is to live in the presence and abiding with Christ. That's where the true "fight" is -- to stay continually connected with Christ.

The answer --
yes -- come to Christ and receive His justification -- now you are clean, yes, perfect in the merits of Christ, but you also need to count yourself dead to sin, for Christ died with your sins, (Study Romans 6) and now be alive in Christ. Keep that upper most in your mind. Live FOR HIM! Live WITH HIM! Abide IN HIM!
Then the promises that a person that is born again no longer continues in sin becomes a reality.


See post above.

///
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/29/17 07:47 AM

Lesson 6 July 29-August 4
To see actual lesson, click here

The Priority of the Promise

Section of Galatians for this weeks study:


Gal. 3:15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.


19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.



LOOKING AT THE FIRST VERSE:
13:15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

Paul is points to people making covenants.

When people make a binding promise or covenant there is no going back.
For example: a person may have lived in a house for 20 years, but when he sells that house and signs those papers, that house no longer belongs to him. He can't go back six months later and tell the new owners to get out because this is his house. Even in this sin filled world there is still a expectation that important promises are to be kept.

God made a covenant with Abraham, God keeps his promises.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/29/17 06:24 PM

Originally Posted By: James Peterson

ALL Christians, without exception, do that. But some, just like SDA, are weak and stumble many times and in different ways for which reason John encourages, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

-- 1 John 2:1


Now if you had said "all genuine Christians" I could fully agree with you. But it is not true that all without exception who take the name of Christ are genuine Christians -- that includes SDA's as well as others. For, "man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart".

That's why there is an investigative judgment--
We may look at some Christians and think -- those are genuine Christians -- but the heart may be far from Christ. While we may look at others and think -- they aren't really Christians when indeed they are.

Thus it is God who knows and will reveal who is abiding in Christ and following Him, having surrendered themselves to Him; and who is not genuine but is a Christian in name only and following his own ways.
That is true for SDA as well as all other Christians.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 07/30/17 03:08 AM

Question in lesson--
why did God give the law to Israel about four centuries after Abraham. Did not the giving of the law nullify any previous arrangement?


First I think we need to ask if the commandment law was already in effect prior to Sinai? True, it was codified at Sinai and written out on stone, but wasn't it in effect prior?

1. God alone was to be served.
Wasn't God calling Abraham out of Ur, to get him away from associations with people serving other gods, so Abrabam could serve God alone?

2 No idols or graven images
Genesis 35:2-4 Jacob calls all in his care to give up their idols and graven images and "be clean".
Why would he do that if God's command against images was not yet known?

3. Taking God's name in vain
Job (in Job 1:5) was worried that his children had taken God's name in vain, so he offered sacrifices in their behalf. Job lived before Abraham. How did he know it was sin?

4. The Sabbath
Gen. 2:1-3 Shows God blessing, sanctifying (setting apart for holy us) and resting on the 7th day.

5. Honour Parents
Before Sinai the whole social society upheld the respect of children for their Father and Mother. Even fully grown and mature men still respected the leadership role of their fathers

6. Murder
In the story of Cain and Abel we see the principles already in place concerning this commandment.

7. Adultery
Joseph knew adultery was sinning against God.
Genesis 39:8-9
"You are his [Potapher's] wife how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

8. Theft
Job not only identifies stealing as sin but several other commandments in this passage:
Job 24:14-16,18
"The murderer arises at dawn; He kills the poor and the needy, And at night he is as a thief. The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, Saying, 'No eye will see me'; And he disguises his face. In the dark they break into houses which they marked for themselves in the daytime; They do not know the light. ...their portion is cursed in the earth.

9. False Witness
Job 27:4
My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

10. Coveting
Coveting is the root of most sin.
Lucifer coveted God's position. (Isaiah 14:13-14)
Eve coveted the forbidden fruit, which led to eating it.

So we conclude that the commandments were already in force and known prior to Sinai. They were just not yet "codified".

The clean and unclean foods were already known in Noah's day. (Gen. 7:2)

The sacrificial system was already known by Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

So what was "added" at Sinai?

Basically the laws were codified -- written out.
Details were added.
However, the ten commandment law was definitely not new.


So what does Paul mean:
3;19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made;

Sin was in abundance (God's law was being broken) -- but the people didn't realize they were sinning, because they had either forgotten God's commands or had never been taught God's commands.
Romans 3:20 "for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

If people don't realize they are sinning, they don't feel a need for a Savior.

The law reveals to us our sinful condition and our need of God’s grace. The law was not intended to be some kind of program for “earning” salvation.

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

The law's purpose is to lead people to Christ.
It exposes our sinful condition, and will always expose sin where ever, and when ever it exists, but the point Paul is making is that it was "added" or rather "codified and written out" to show our need for a Savior Who can both forgive and cleanse from sin.
Posted By: kland

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/01/17 05:22 PM

Originally Posted By: James Peterson
Originally Posted By: kland

Should all Christians strive for, to set a goal for being without sin?

ALL Christians, without exception, do that. But some, just like SDA, are weak and stumble many times and in different ways for which reason John encourages, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

-- 1 John 2:1

///
So in returning to the context and the questions which brought up the question, do you strive for, set as a goal, as part of your faith, as a result of your faith, towards keeping the 10 commandments, not to be saved, but because you are?
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/03/17 09:10 AM

19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come

Does that mean the law ended when Christ came the first time?

That is not even plausible, for what would things be like if Christians rejected God's moral law.

The role of the law did not end with the coming of Christ.

It will continue to point out sin, and awaken in the sinner the need for cleansing, leading them to Christ as long as the law exists.

So
what Paul is saying is that the coming of Christ marks a decisive turning point in human history. Christ can do what the law could never do — provide a true remedy for sin, that is, justify sinners and by His Spirit fulfill His law in them (Rom. 8:3, 4).
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/04/17 05:59 AM

In Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

The Greek word telos translated as “end” doesn't really give Paul’s intended meaning. So what does the word mean in this context.
Many have come to a false conclusion that faith makes the law void. But in Romans 3:31 Paul clearly explains that is not true.

“Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.”

The Greek word telos, translated “end” in Romans 10:4 can mean:
‘the aim or purpose’ of a thing” ( Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, 1985, “End, Ending”).

This is very clear in the New King James Version’s concerning 1 Timothy 1:5 “the purpose of the commandment is love.”
In contrast the KJV reads "Now the end of the commandment is charity".

In both cases -- it is "the purpose" or "the aim", of the law or commandment; it is not making the law or commandment void. as in "ending it".


Thus
In Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the aim of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

The law directs us to Christ, for only in Christ is their pardon and justification, clearing the sinner from the incurred guilt of our transgression of the law, and the transforming power to bring us into line with the righteous principles of the law.




Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/05/17 05:55 AM

The Priority of God's Promises.

Scripture has many wonderful promises -- do we read them, claim them, and praise God for them?

What are some of your favorite scriptural promises?



Here are some wonderful promises:

Isaiah 26:3

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Matthew 11:28-29

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.



Romans 8:18


“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

John 1:12, 13


“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jude 1:24

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Hebrews 13:5

He has promised, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/13/17 04:19 AM

Originally Posted By: APL
Galatians 3:21 - is the law against the promises of God? NO WAY! For is a law had been given that could make alive, righteousness would certainly be from the law.

Galatians 3:22 - But the scripture has locked up everything together under sin, in order that the promises by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to those that believe.

Galatians 3:23 - Now before this faith came (the faith of Jesus Christ), we were continually held captive under law, being locked up together, until the approaching faith would be reveal,

Galatians 3:24 - for this reason, the law was our "boy-leader" having led us to Christ, in order that we might be justified from faith.

Galatians 3:25 - now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Contrast Law with the Promises:

Law: I'll do it, locked up, held captive, guardian

Promises - God will do it, He has done it, it is the Faith of Jesus, this faith is the Faith of Jesus, we are justified by the Faith of Jesus.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.


Yes, those texts were today's lesson scripture.
Though not quite sure what translation APL used, it reads somewhat differently from my Bible versions.

What do those texts mean?


Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/13/17 04:44 AM

Galatians 3:21
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid.


Right here Paul is saying the law is NOT in opposition to God's promises. A lot of people seem to think the two are in opposition -- but that is not the case.
In fact, were it not for the law, people wouldn't feel a need for the gospel.

Romans 3:31 " 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Paul does not do away with the binding nature of God's moral law! The law defines sin. And it continues to do so.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.


So, Paul is NOT pushing God's moral law aside. But he is addressing a problem. What is that problem?

Galatians 3:21-22 for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin

The problem was thinking they could cover their sinfulness by law keeping. All are under sin -- all have sinned. All are under the condemnation of death. The law cannot give us life because the law cannot forgive those who transgress, it can only condemn the transgressor.

We can go back to Eden to help us understand.
There we see Adam and Eve in perfect harmony with the Creator. They were clothed in the in beautiful garments of righteousness -- light.
But then, they transgressed God's command. What happened to that beautiful garment of righteousness? It disappeared!
Sensing their nakedness they quickly picked some nice large fig leaves and stitched them together to make for themselves garments. Yet when Christ came to the garden to be with them they ran and hid. Why? Adam says, " I was afraid, because I was naked;" Yet, they had those nice green garments of leaves didn't they? Yet, they still sensed their nakedness.
Originally Posted By: EGW

This is what the transgressors of God's law have done ever since the day of Adam and Eve's disobedience. They have sewed together fig leaves to cover the nakedness caused by transgression. They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God. {COL 311.1}
But this they can never do. Nothing can man devise to supply the place of his lost robe of innocence. No fig-leaf garment, no worldly citizen dress, can be worn by those who sit down with Christ and angels at the marriage supper of the Lamb. {COL 311.2}
Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided can make us meet to appear in God's presence. This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul. "I counsel thee," He says, "to buy of Me . . . white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." Revelation 3:18. {COL 311.3}


The fig leaves represent our attempts to justify our disobedience.
How do we attempt to justify self? With excuses? Trying to bargain with God -- thinking some good deeds offset our disobedience?
But those fig leaves will never cover or remove our sins. We are still in the shame of our sinful nakedness. Only Christ can cloth us in the beautiful garments of righteousness.



Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/13/17 05:52 AM

3:22 But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

What is the promise?

Gal 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Romans 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not fulfilled through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.


Acts 13:23 From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.

The promise --
The coming Savior, the Messiah Who would save from sin.
The righteousness that comes by faith.
The inheritance of this world in the future

One thing that about human nature -- we need to feel a need before we pursue a remedy.
People who think they are righteous and in need of nothing are the hardest people to reach with the gospel.
So yes, God thundered His law from Mount Sinai, to alert people to the extent of their sin and the awesome righteousness of God. Do we see the wide gap? Do we sense our need for a Savior.
It is those who come to Christ fully aware of their sinfulness and in repentance claim His blood of forgiveness, that love Him the most.
And these God, through His Holy Spirit can restore onto the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.


3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But before faith came,....
This does not mean that OT people had no faith, or that they were saved by works. Old Testament saints had faith in a coming Redeemer, Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaiah, Daniel, etc. believed in the coming Savior, and were justified by faith in his righteousness, as we are.

It is much better to understand that Jesus Christ, as the foundation of that faith, came and it all became so much clearer and real! Christ, the object of faith, who was to come, and is come in the flesh, to fulfill the law; and by so doing bestows upon the repentant, believing person His pardoning grace and His merits of righteousness.

Before Christ came the Jews, and Paul was one, were "kept by the law" they were kept distinct and separate from the rest of the nations of the world and so were preserved in some measure both from their pagan and idolatrous ways. It was through them the Messiah was to come. They were a people expecting His coming!
They were kept under law as persons under a guard, keeping them close to the discharge of their duty as God's representatives on earth.

The purpose was always to point them to Christ.
To welcome Him when He came in the flesh.
To accept Him as their Redeemer and Savior from sin.

3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.


Do we need someone to drive us to Christ?
The law still does that.
But once we accept Him, we shouldn't need the law to drive us, we should rejoice in His Salvation.

The law is revelation of God's character, a small view of His righteousness! As Sons and daughters, children of God, forgiven and cleansed we want to glorify God by exhibiting His character to the world! That means exhibiting the principles of His Holy law!

This we can only do if we abide in Him, and He with us.

It's not just a passive relationship. It is an active faith, laying hold on the arm of omnipotent power, " let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily ensnare us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2-3


Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/18/17 06:05 PM

What is it about baptism that makes it such a significant event? Gal. 3:27-28; Rom. 6:1-11

Gal. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.
10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/19/17 07:10 AM

The lesson asked the question--
but there's more than the answer they give.

What is about baptism that makes it such a significant event --
if it is entered into in the Biblical sense?

Let's take a look at Romans six -- the texts referred to in the lesson.
The question raised there is: "Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?

Paul answers the question: "We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?" "We were baptized into Christ's death"
"we are buried with him by baptism into death"
"planted together in the likeness of his death,"
"our old man is crucified with him, "
"we be dead with Christ"

Because we died to sin, we are not to let sin reign in our mortal bodies.

Paul is pretty emphatic about this -- repeating it in many different words.

We like to focus on the "new life" in Christ, but what do all these sentences about "dying" mean?

Without the "dying" there really is not "new life in Christ"?


Quote:
The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ (MS 148, 1897). {6BC 1075.7}


How do we become dead to sin?

It is essential, if we would be "alive unto God" (Rom. 6:11), that we must be freed not only from the guilt of past sins, but also from the bondage of sin that we may "serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life" (Luke 1:74-75). This can be accomplished only as we definitely, willingly, and practically reckon ourselves dead to sin, with Christ upon the cross.

This dying to sin, I believe is something we find at the foot of the cross. When we see Him dying because of our actual sins, how can we live any longer in them? We die with Christ to those sins. And then we can rise with Him, reckoning ourselves died to the old carnal ways and alive in Christ.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/19/17 10:31 PM

From slaves to heirs.

Question -- in what way are humans slaves?

John 8:34 Whosoever commits sin is the slave of sin.
Romans 6:17 you were the slaves of sin

Quote:
Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery. He is not allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the control of Satan. While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness. Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the soul. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" sets us "free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2. {DA 466.3}


Who seeks to redeem us from slavery and adopt us as His children?
Quote:
Come out from among them, and be separate, saith the Lord, and I will receive you, and ye shall be sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. What a promise is this! It is a pledge to you that you shall become members of the royal family, heirs of the heavenly kingdom. If a person is honored by, or becomes connected with, any of the monarchs of earth, how it goes the rounds of the periodicals of the day and excites the envy of those who think themselves less fortunate. But here is One who is King over all, the monarch of the universe, the Originator of every good thing; and He says to us: I will make you My sons and daughters; I will unite you to Myself; you shall become members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King. {2T 592.1}
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/21/17 09:06 AM

This weeks verse from Galatians:

Galatians 4:12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.
18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.


What is the thrust of Paul’s message in these verses?

What goal did Paul have in mind for the Galatians?
What result did he want to see from all his “labor” in their behalf?

Why would he urge them to become like him?
What did he mean?
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/22/17 12:35 AM

(verses 8-11) Paul points out there's a decision to make: A choice between living under the elements of the world or as a child of God.

The weak and beggarly elements are the bases of all false religions-- they represent " self-expiation which lies at the foundation of all systems of false religion". {1MCP 276.2}

"Deprived as they are of the light shining from the word of God, their religion consists of a round of ceremonies" which they think will win them the favor of the gods.

By writing turn again to beggarly elements, Paul shows that the Galatians (who were Gentiles) were not turning to a new error when the Judaizers tried to enforce their rituals upon them, but that they were actually going back to an old error; the idea of a "self-expiation" works relationship with God.

Paul is now making his appeal, showing he's not there to condemn, but out of love begging them to come back to their believe of "salvation in Christ."

The apostle desires that they would be of one mind with him respecting the gospel which God had given him, as well as that they may be united with him in love.


He reminds the Galatians of the difficulty under which he laboured when he first came among them, and how thankful they were to hear the gospel and receive him as sent to them by God.

But now they are questioning as to whether he taught them correctly! The false teachers who drew the Galatians from the truth did so with an allusion that they cared about them, but they were not sincere and upright.

Paul wants them to be zealous for the truth and the cause of Christ, not zealous in pleasing these men to gain their favor.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/22/17 12:46 AM

Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.

I urge you to become like me:
Strange words from Paul. In what way should the Galatian Christians become like Paul?

[Paul] kept before them the cross of Calvary. "We preach not ourselves," he declared in the later years of his experience, "but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:5, 6. AA 208

Those who heard him knew that he had been with Jesus.
Be like Paul -- spend much time with Jesus.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/24/17 07:20 AM

13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

In these verses we get a glimpse into Paul's labor among
the Galatians. He was suffering some bodily affliction and
physical pain when he first preached the Gospel in Galatia. It appears that he was obliged to stop in Galatia on account of physical infirmity, but instead of feeling sorry for himself and spending the time seeking his own comfort, he preached the Gospel to the people in Galatia. And his message had a powerful impact upon the Galatians.

We often think of Paul as a strong and powerful preacher. Yet we see him, weak, and suffering, without the charisma of a vibrant, energetic personality. Here we see another proof that the Gospel does not depend upon man's energy, but on God and the power of His truth.

Paul's preaching was “in demonstration of the Spirit and power”
(1 Cor. 2:2-4), because he had no power of his own.

Paul's preaching, in this condition, was not theological debate, but rather his own reaching out in faith to Christ, Christ was set before them so vividly that they could see Him crucified;. The Holy Spirit attended the work and their was genuine conversion and love for the Savior.

Quote:
God brings His children near to Him, that He may show them their weakness and His strength. He teaches them to lean on Him. Thus He prepares them to meet emergencies, to fill positions of trust, and to accomplish the great purpose for which their powers were given them. {AA 574.2}
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/27/17 01:43 AM

The Two Covenants
Lesson for August 26-September 2, 2017

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,
24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—
25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—
26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/27/17 02:32 AM

The two covenants have been a matter of argument and debate for centuries.

Were/are the natural Israelites saved in one way, while the Christian are saved in a different way?
Were the Israelites saved by the law, while Christians are saved by grace
Is the law of the covenant, the ten commandments, no longer binding?
We hear those things quite often.

Quote from lesson:
"The two covenants are not matters of time; instead they are reflective of human attitudes. They represent two different ways of trying to relate to God, ways that go back to Cain and Abel. The old covenant represents those who, like Cain, mistakenly rely on their own obedience as a means of pleasing God; in contrast, the new covenant represents the experience of those who, like Abel, rely wholly upon God’s grace to do all that He has promised."

Yes, they reflect different human attitudes.
However, Cain did not "rely on his own obedience"
Cain did NOT obey.
Cain decided he knew of a better way to worship God, rather than the way God asked him worship.

So in reality Cain substituted his own "good fruits" instead of obeying God.
He did NOT obey. He offered a counterfeit.
His counterfeit also showed He didn't believe he needed a substitute who would shed His blood to atone for his sin

The end time counterfeit "revival" is based on the same rationalization.
Let's bring the nation back to God by keeping the "Sabbath", but don't bother to obey God in this, offer Him a different day from the day He blessed and sanctified.


Even out there in the wilderness of Sinai we see the idea of, we will worship God, but we will do it OUR way, not God's way.

The people declared we will obey.
Then they made a golden calf.
Did you notice in scripture what Aaron said?
Ex. 32:5 And when Aaron saw it (golden calf), he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.

Aaron was rationalizing! A feast and sacrifices in front of a golden calf was NOT the way the LORD, Jehovah, asked them to worship Him.

Could one aspect of a "wrong" covenant be simply saying
-- OK I'll obey you, Lord, but I will do it may way not your way.
Of course such a covenant would be without divine power.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/27/17 05:18 AM

Are there two ways of salvation?

No, once man fell into sin, salvation could only come by grace and never by works.

Was one covenant instituted at Sinai, and another at the cross?

While the cross brought new revelations and realities to God's covenant, the basic foundation was the same -- the everlasting covenant was laid before the creation of the earth; for Christ is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8.

Does the new covenant release us from God's commandments?

How could it?

Part of the covenant is this:
God says: ""I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

When Israel accepted David as their king, the same form of conditions stated that, David would be their king, and they would be his loyal subjects.

But now some claim a different type of covenant, one where they claim a "king" and Savior they don't have to obey, they can serve Him any way they find convenient?
But is that Biblical?

I think not.

Justification does not make void obedience to the law. Obedience has always been the requirement to be part of God's kingdom. However, being that we are sinful and cannot offer a life of perfect obedience, God promised justification, imputed as well as imparted righteousness, but this does not lessen the claims of the law. Rather, through the merits of Christ we are clothed with Christ’s righteousness and brought into a right relationship with the law.
Paul gives a clear rebuttal of the anti-law views which claim that grace gives men freedom to break the law of God.

The New covenant does not abrogate the law, the Holy Spirit writes the law on our hearts and minds, internalizing righteousness into our lives.

Much of the strange theology that God's commandments are no longer binding revolve directly with the Sabbath. Most have no problem with stressing the other nine are still binding.

The idea that we can pick whichever day we want puts us in charge rather than God, and is thus contrary to true new covenant theology.

So what is the difference --
and Galatians does stress a difference?
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/27/17 09:07 AM

Is anyone saved under the old covenant? No. Why? Because the old covenant relied on the promises of the people to keep the law. And they could not. The new covenant is based on the promises of God to write the law on our inward parts and on our heart and minds. The law does not change. There is only one way to salvation.
Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/27/17 10:54 AM

Originally Posted By: dedication
Are there two ways of salvation?

No, once man fell into sin, salvation could only come by grace and never by works.



Originally Posted By: Ellen White
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). There are many in the Christian world who claim that all that is necessary to salvation is to have faith; works are nothing, faith is the only essential. But God's Word tells us that faith without works is dead, being alone. Many refuse to obey God's commandments, yet they make a great deal of faith. But faith must have a foundation. {FW 47.1}

God's promises are all made upon conditions. If we do His will, if we walk in truth, then we may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us. While we earnestly endeavor to be obedient, God will hear our petitions; but He will not bless us in disobedience. If we choose to disobey His commandments, we may cry, "Faith, faith, only have faith," and the response will come back from the sure Word of God, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20). Such faith will only be as sounding brass and as a tinkling cymbal. In order to have the benefits of God's grace we must do our part; we must faithfully work and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. {FW 47.2}

We are workers together with God. You are not to sit in indolence, waiting for some great occasion, in order to do a great work for the Master. You are not to neglect the duty that lies directly in your pathway, but you are to improve the little opportunities that open around you. . . . {FW 47.3}


In other words, grace will save us, but grace is only extended to those who do God's will. God wants us to obey, therefore salvation comes only through obedience. When we obey, we show our faith, without which it is impossible to either please God or be saved, for we are saved by grace through faith.

Originally Posted By: dedication
Justification does not make void obedience to the law. Obedience has always been the requirement to be part of God's kingdom. However, being that we are sinful and cannot offer a life of perfect obedience, God promised justification, imputed as well as imparted righteousness, but this does not lessen the claims of the law. Rather, through the merits of Christ we are clothed with Christ’s righteousness and brought into a right relationship with the law.


You started off well in the above, and then shifted to heresy. You have basically said that Christ's obedience substitutes for ours to fulfill "the requirement to be part of God's kingdom," in essence removing the claims of the law from us and leaving them in place only for Christ. I cannot accept such theology. You say "we are clothed with Christ's righteousness" as if His righteousness removes the requirement for us to be righteous. But is that what we are told?

Originally Posted By: Ellen White
The righteousness of Christ will not cover one cherished sin. A man may be a law-breaker in heart; yet if he commits no outward act of transgression, he may be regarded by the world as possessing great integrity. But God's law looks into the secrets of the heart. Every act is judged by the motives that prompt it. Only that which is in accord with the principles of God's law will stand in the judgment. {COL 316.2}

Christ loves His church. He will give all needed help to those who call upon Him for strength for the development of Christlike character. But His love is not weakness. He will not serve with their sins or give them prosperity while they continue to follow a wrong course of action. Only by faithful repentance will their sins be forgiven; for God will not cover evil with the robe of His righteousness. He will honor faithful service. He will abundantly bless those who reveal to their fellowmen His justice, mercy, and love. Let those who are engaged in His service walk before Him in true humility, following faithfully in His footsteps, cherishing the holy principles which will live through the eternal ages. Let them in word and action show that they obey the laws which are obeyed in heaven. {SD 13.3}


And...

Originally Posted By: Ellen White
The world's Redeemer declares, "I have kept my Father's commandments." "I counsel thee," saith the True Witness, "to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." Christ's righteousness will not cover the unrighteousness of any one. "All unrighteousness is sin," and "sin is the transgression of the law," therefore, those who are breaking the law of God and teaching others to break it, will not be covered with the garments of Christ's righteousness. He came not to save men in their sins; but from their sins. "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in him." These utterances are weighty, and should be duly considered. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned [transgressed the law], we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." "My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." We need an advocate with the Father, because it is the Father's law that we have broken. We need to repent of our transgression, and return to our allegiance to God. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins: and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not; whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him." Here it is plainly stated that whosoever abideth in Christ will not be a transgressor of the law of God. {RH, July 24, 1888 par. 12}
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/27/17 06:40 PM

Originally Posted By: green
In other words, grace will save us, but grace is only extended to those who do God's will. God wants us to obey, therefore salvation comes only through obedience. When we obey, we show our faith, without which it is impossible to either please God or be saved, for we are saved by grace through faith.
Old Covenant thinking is based on the our promise to obey by our own effort. Exodus 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD has spoken we will do. That is death. The New Covenant is based on the promise of God to write the law on our inward parts, for Him to cause us to walk in His law. That is life. It required effort on our part, but everything we have to offer is as filthy rags.
Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/27/17 08:12 PM

Originally Posted By: APL
Originally Posted By: green
In other words, grace will save us, but grace is only extended to those who do God's will. God wants us to obey, therefore salvation comes only through obedience. When we obey, we show our faith, without which it is impossible to either please God or be saved, for we are saved by grace through faith.
Old Covenant thinking is based on the our promise to obey by our own effort. Exodus 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD has spoken we will do. That is death. The New Covenant is based on the promise of God to write the law on our inward parts, for Him to cause us to walk in His law. That is life. It required effort on our part, but everything we have to offer is as filthy rags.


Good points.

Originally Posted By: Ellen White
We have little idea of the strength that would be ours if we would connect with the Source of all strength. We fall into sin again and again, and think it must always be so. We cling to our infirmities as if they were something to be proud of. Christ tells us that we must set our face as a flint if we would overcome. He has borne our sins in His own body on the tree; and through the power He has given us, we may resist the world, the flesh, and the devil. Then let us not talk of our weakness and inefficiency, but of Christ and His strength. When we talk of Satan's strength, the enemy fastens his power more firmly upon us. When we talk of the power of the Mighty One, the enemy is driven back. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us. {AG 262.2}
. . .
We must be better acquainted with our Bibles. We might close the door to many temptations, if we would commit to memory passages of Scripture. Let us hedge up the way to Satan's temptations with "It is written." We shall meet with conflicts to test our faith and courage, but they will make us strong if we conquer through the grace Jesus is willing to give. But we must believe; we must grasp the promises without a doubt. {AG 262.4}
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/27/17 09:16 PM

through the power He has given us, we may resist the world, the flesh, and the devil. Then let us not talk of our weakness and inefficiency, but of Christ and His strength.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/27/17 09:50 PM

Originally Posted By: Green Cochoa

Originally Posted By: dedication
Justification does not make void obedience to the law. Obedience has always been the requirement to be part of God's kingdom. However, being that we are sinful and cannot offer a life of perfect obedience, God promised justification, imputed as well as imparted righteousness, but this does not lessen the claims of the law. Rather, through the merits of Christ we are clothed with Christ’s righteousness and brought into a right relationship with the law.


You started off well in the above, and then shifted to heresy. You have basically said that Christ's obedience substitutes for ours to fulfill "the requirement to be part of God's kingdom," in essence removing the claims of the law from us and leaving them in place only for Christ. I cannot accept such theology. You say "we are clothed with Christ's righteousness" as if His righteousness removes the requirement for us to be righteous. But is that what we are told?


Why do you misrepresent what I wrote?

Where have I "removing the claims of the law for us...claiming His righteousness removes the requirement for us to be righteous "???

That is an OUTRIGHT misrepresentation!

One that you can state only if you are taking things to extremes to promote a one sided doctrine, which is not balanced with truth.

Do you think that you can stand before God in your own righteousness? That you will reach a point where all you need is "forgiveness" for long ago sins, but your own righteousness at that point will be "good enough" to present before God? That you won't need Christ's merits to stand before the judgment seat of God?

If that is what you believe you will find yourself wanting. And I say that with serious concern.

Yes -- we are to follow our Savior in obedience, rejoicing in His salvation, AND continually placing our will under His will, co-operating with Him, as we walk daily with Him depending upon His strength to live according to His will. There is nothing that I wrote that excuses our going our own way, doing our own sinful things.

But without Christ's perfect merits, all our righteousness is still FILTHY RAGS and can NEVER earn us heaven.

Quote:

To him who accepts Christ as his righteousness, as his only hope, pardon is pronounced; for God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. The justice, truth, and holiness of Christ, which are approved by the law of God, form a channel through which mercy may be communicated to the repenting, believing sinner. {YI, November 29, 1894 par. 2}

Those who do not believe in Christ are not reconciled to God; but those who have faith in him are hid with Christ in God. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Through the imputed righteousness of Christ, the sinner may feel that he is pardoned, and may know that the law no more condemns him, because he is in harmony with all its precepts. It is his privilege to count himself innocent when he reads and thinks of the retribution that will fall upon the unbelieving and sinful. By faith he lays hold of the righteousness of Christ, and responds with love and gratitude for the great love of God in giving his only begotten Son, who died in order to bring to light life and immortality through the gospel. Knowing himself to be a sinner, a transgressor of the holy law of God, he looks to the perfect obedience of Christ, to his death upon Calvary for the sins of the world; and he has the assurance that he is justified by faith in the merit and sacrifice of Christ. He realizes that the law was obeyed in his behalf by the Son of God, and that the penalty of transgression cannot fall upon the believing sinner. The active obedience of Christ clothes the believing sinner with the righteousness that meets the demands of the law. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
{YI, November 29, 1894 par. 3} Mrs. E. G. White.


Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/27/17 09:55 PM

This isn't just a "cut and paste" of quotes --
Here is the whole following article EGW wrote:
This is defending the message of 1888, where Christ as our righteousness was presented as the truth.



QUOTE
Christ is the sinner's substitute and surety. He has obeyed the law in the sinner's place, in order that the sinner may believe in him, and grow up into him in all things to the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, and thus be complete in him. Christ has made reconciliation for sin, and has borne all its ignominy, reproach, and punishment; and yet while bearing sin, he has brought in everlasting righteousness, so that the believer is spotless before God. The time comes when it is asked, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" and the answer is, "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again." He who has the spotless robe of righteousness, woven in the loom of heaven, in which is not a thread that sinful humanity can claim, is at the right hand of God, to clothe his believing children in the perfect garment of his righteousness. Those who are saved in the kingdom of God will have nothing of which to boast in themselves; the praise and the glory will all flow back to God the giver of salvation. {YI, December 6, 1894 par. 1}

But there are many who claim to be children of God who are resting their hopes upon other dependencies, rather than on the blood of Christ alone. When urged to rest their faith wholly upon Christ as a complete Saviour, many reveal the fact that they have faith in something that they think they can do. They say, "I have a great deal to do before I can be fit to come to Christ." Another says, "When I have done to the uttermost all that I can do, then the Lord Jesus will come to my help." They imagine that they have a great deal to do themselves to save their own souls, and that Jesus will come in and piece out that part which is lacking, and give the finishing stroke to their salvation.

These poor souls will not be strong in God until they accept Christ as a complete Saviour. They can add nothing to their salvation. The Israelites were required to sprinkle the door-posts with the blood of a slain lamb, in order that when the angel of death passed through the land, they might escape destruction. But if instead of doing this simple act of faith and obedience, they had barricaded the door, and taken every precaution to keep the destroying angel out, their pains would have been in vain, and would have testified to their unbelief. When the blood was seen upon the door-post, it was enough. The salvation of the house was assured. So it is in the work of salvation; it is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanseth from all sin. {YI, December 6, 1894 par. 2}

It is not now the work of the sinner to make peace with God, but to accept Christ as his peace and righteousness. Thus man becomes one with Christ and one with God. There is no way by which the heart may be made holy, save through faith in Christ. Yet many think that repentance is a kind of preparation which men must originate themselves before they can come to Christ. They must take steps themselves in order to find Christ a mediator in their behalf. It is true that there must be repentance before there is pardon; but the sinner must come to Christ before he can find repentance. It is the virtue of Christ that strengthens and enlightens the soul, so, that repentance may be godly and acceptable. Peter has made this matter clear where he says of Christ, "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."

Repentance is as certainly a gift of Jesus Christ as is forgiveness of sins. Repentance cannot be experienced without Christ; for it is the repentance of which he is the author that is the ground upon which we may apply for pardon. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that men are led to repentance. It is from Christ that the grace of contrition comes, as well as the gift of pardon, and repentance as well as forgiveness of sins is procured only through the atoning blood of Christ. Those whom God pardons he first makes penitent. {YI, December 6, 1894 par. 3}

"Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Christ has paid a dear price for the mansions which he has gone to prepare for those who believe in him. Those who shall inhabit those mansions must be fitted for the society of heaven by the righteousness of Christ, and by the work of the Holy Spirit. The preparation for heaven must be made in probationary time, and there must now be submission to the work of the Spirit of God on the heart, in order that the soul may be brought into communication with heaven, and may be educated to enjoy the realities of the eternal world. The righteousness of Christ, which will be imputed to the believing soul, will be the title by which his entrance into heaven will be assured. Through the influence of the Spirit of God, the believer is transformed in character; his taste is refined, his judgment is sanctified, and he becomes complete in Christ. The love that was manifested toward him in the death of Christ, awakens a response of thankful love, and in answer to sincere prayer, the believer is brought from grace to grace, from glory to glory, until by beholding Christ, he is changed into the same image.
Mrs. E. G. White.
-
{YI, December 6, 1894 par. 4}
Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 04:26 AM

I was attending a meeting, and a large congregation were present. In my dream you were presenting the subject of faith and the imputed righteousness of Christ by faith. You repeated several times that works amounted to nothing, that there were no conditions. The matter was presented in that light that I knew minds would be confused and would not receive the correct impression in reference to faith and works, and I decided to write to you. You state this matter too strongly. There are conditions to our receiving justification and sanctification, and the righteousness of Christ. I know your meaning, but you leave a wrong impression upon many minds. While good works will not save even one soul, yet it is impossible for even one soul to be saved without good works. God saves us under a law, that we must ask if we would receive, seek if we would find, and knock if we would have the door opened unto us. {FW 111.1}
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 04:55 AM

Yes, and what are those conditions?
They are to come to Christ and depend fully upon Him for justification and sanctification, walking with Him in faith, obedience and putting our will under His will, unceasingly.
The battle is "abiding in Christ" accepting His salvation and co-operating with Him as He leads us on the path of righteousness.

It is NOT first you must overcome your sin and then Christ will extend you grace.


But let's return to the lesson and see what scripture has to say, instead of trying to pit justification against sanctification as if one obliterates the other one.

They don't.



Now what do these texts say and mean:


The Two Covenants
Lesson for August 26-September 2, 2017

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,
24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—
25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—
26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 05:26 AM

Consider this:

God is love (1 John 4:8). God is perfect. The law is a transcript of His character. His character does not change (Mal. 3:6).

If God keeps His own law, to the point where Jesus would even die to make atonement for us, will not God also keep the law in saving us? Think of the balances in which we are weighed. What is weighed in them? Are they not the representation to us of God's standard of righteousness and obedience? If no standard existed, no balances would be required.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 06:49 AM

You are not dealing with subject texts under study.
No one is attacking God's standard of righteousness.

Or do you think Paul in Galatians has nothing to say to us?
Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 06:57 AM

If quoting John means I think Paul has nothing to say to us, then I think Paul has nothing to say to us.

I would recommend you open your mind to look at the Bible in its entirety as having been inspired by God. The author of the quarterly is not. I'll be honest, I'm not here to discuss the quarterly. I'm here to discuss God's Word.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 07:13 AM

How do we understand the verses under discussion in this week's lesson.

Maybe a story will help us understand.


With apologies to Bunyan's “Pilgrim’s Progress” from which the following is slightly adapted.


I saw a man clothed with rags standing in the city of Destruction, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I looked, and saw him open the book, and read therein; and as he “ read, he wept and trembled;

Christian reading: "For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me." Psalm 38:4 " we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isaiah 64:6 your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2

and, not being able longer to contain, he broke out with a lamentable cry, saying, "What shall I do? What shall I do?"

I looked then, and saw a man named EVANGELIST coming to him,

Evangelist: "Wherefore dost thou cry?"

Christian answered, "Sir, I perceive by the book in my hand that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to Judgment; oh woe is me, I am a lost man, this burden that is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, I am a lost man, bound for destruction.

Then said EVANGELIST, "If this be thy condition, why are you standing here?"

Christian answered, "Because I know not where to go."

Then he gave him a parchment roll; and there was written within, "Flee from the wrath to come!" Matt. 3:7

The man, therefore, read it; and looking upon EVANGELIST very carefully, said, "Whither must I fly?"

Then said EVANGELIST, pointing with his finger over a very wide field, "Do you see yonder wicket gate?"
"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14

The man said, "No." Then said the other, "Do you see yonder shining light?"

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:" 2 Peter 1:19

Christian said, "I think I do."

Then said EVANGELIST, "Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly thereto; so shalt thou see the gate; at which, when you knock, it will be opened for you and you will be instructed where to go next.

So Christian set out, walking with the huge load upon his back, toward the light in the distance. On the way he met Mr. Worldly wise who lived in Morality Town.
,
Worldly wise: Say good fellow, where are you going with that heavy burden?

Christian: I am going to yonder wicket gate before me; for there, as I am informed, I shall be directed into a way to be rid of my heavy burden.

W. Wise. Who bade you go this way to be rid of your burden?

Chr. A man that appeared to me to be a very great and honourable person; his name, as I remember, is EVANGELIST.

W. Wise. Avoid him for his counsel! That is not the way to rid yourself of the burden. That path only leads to robe makers, they will only cover your burden with a robe, they will not rid you of the burden.

Chr. Why, sir, this burden upon my back is more terrible to me, pray tell how I may rid myself of it?

W. Wise. But why go you by way of the gate, seeing it is only the way of the robe makers? Now hear me, I could direct you to obtain what you desire. Yes, the remedy is at hand. Besides, I will add, that instead of those dangers and hardships of a cross, you shall meet with much safety, friendship, and satisfaction.

Chr. Sir, I pray, open this secret to me.

W. Wise. Why, in yonder village (the village is named Morality) there dwells a gentleman whose name is LEGALITY, a very judicious man, and a man of a very good name, that has skill to help men off with such burdens as you carry on your shoulders; yes, to my knowledge, he has done a great deal of good this way There, I say, thou may be eased of thy burden; and if you prefer not to go back to your former habitation, you may send for your wife and children to come to you to this village, where there are houses now at reasonable rates: provision is there also cheap and good; and that which will make your life the more happy is there to be sure, for you shall live by honest neighbours, in credit and good moral fashion.

Chr. Sir, which is my way to this honest man's house?

W. Wise. Do you see yonder high hill? ( Mount Sinai )

Chr. Yes, very well.

W. Wise. By that hill you must go, and the first house you come to is his.

So CHRISTIAN turned out of his way to go to Mr. LEGALITY'S house for help. But, the hill looked very steep and forbidding and CHRISTIAN was afraid to venture farther, wherefore there he stood still, and knew not what to do. Also his burden now seemed heavier to him than while he was in his way.

Suddenly there came flashes of fire out of the hill, that made CHRISTIAN afraid that he should be burned:

"And there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly." Exodus 19:16-18

Here, therefore,did Christian sweat and did quake for fear.
"And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake" Hebrews 12:21

The burden upon his back became even heavier and seemed to crush him as he stumbled and fell to the ground.

And now he sensed that Mr. WORLDLY WISEMAN'S counsel had sent him to his eternal death. But then he saw EVANGELIST coming to meet him; at the sight also of whom he began to blush for shame.

So EVANGELIST drew nearer and nearer; and coming up to him, he looked upon him with a severe and dreadful countenance, and thus began to reason with CHRISTIAN.

Evangelist spoke: What dost thou here, CHRISTIAN?"
At which words CHRISTIAN knew not what to answer; wherefore at present he looked up speechless at him.

Then said EVANGELIST, "Stand up and be still, that I may show thee the words of God." So he stood trembling.

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? Galatians 4:21
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Gal. 3:10 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Gal. 3:11

Did you think the law would save you from your burden? No, the law condemns you and demands your death.

"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:38

He also did thus apply them: "You are the man and have begun to reject the counsel of the Most High to enter in through the gate, and have drawn back your foot from the way of peace, and have almost been lost in perdition.

For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, Gal. 4:24

Yet you have come to mount Sinai to be freed from you burden? Mount Sinai will only hold you in bondage with your burden and heap more guilt upon your shoulders than you can bear.

The man that met thee is one WORLDLY WISEMAN. He was labouring to render the cross odious to thee. And setting your feet in that way that leads unto the administration of death. "He to whom you were sent for ease, being by name LEGALITY is the son of the bondwoman who now is, and is in bondage with her children;

"For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia , and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Galatians 4:22-27

You rightly feared this Mount Sinai. Now if she with her children are in bondage, how canst thou expect by them to be made free? This LEGALITY, therefore, is not able to set thee free from thy burden. No man was as yet ever rid of his burden by him; no, nor ever is like to be. You cannot be justified by the works of the law; for by the deeds of the law no man living can be rid of his burden. Therefore Mr. WORLDLY WISEMAN is an alien, and Mr. LEGALITY is a cheat; and cannot help thee. Believe me, there is nothing in all thou hast heard of these sottish men, but a design to beguile you of your salvation, by turning you from the way that leads unto life.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 07:14 AM

Originally Posted By: Green
I'm not here to discuss the quarterly. I'm here to discuss God's Word.
I didn't ask you to discuss the quarterly, I asked you discuss God's word. This is a study on the book of Galatians, which is part of God's Word.
We are looking at the book of Galatians chapter four this week ---
Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 07:26 AM

Originally Posted By: dedication
I didn't ask you to discuss the quarterly, I asked you discuss God's word.

Galatians four ---


When Adventists resort to sidestepping to another passage of scripture to avoid explaining the one under question, it shows a lack of understanding. Conversely, when Adventists avoid comparing other passages of scripture to the one under study, it shows lack of understanding.

The classic example is the Adventist explanation for the secret rapture passages of Matthew 24. They typically say something like "well, it can't be like that because over here in 1 Thessalonians . . . ."

In this case, I am not saying "it can't be like that." I'm saying that John helps put the doctrine into sharper perspective--one that helps prevent us from misunderstanding Paul. Unfortunately, I haven't the voice of an angel to communicate here what I am trying to say. You oppose John? Wish to look at Paul in isolation perhaps?

Go ahead. I find Paul to be unbalanced without the addition of Peter, James, and John. Of all the Bible writers, Paul is the most dangerous one to take in isolation. Peter, in 2 Peter 3, warns about wresting Paul's scriptures--the only such warning given in the Bible to explicitly name a specific Bible author.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 07:33 AM

Green, it is you that is sidestepping to another passage of scripture to avoid explaining the one under question. Galatians 4:21-31
Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 07:37 AM

Dedication, you are refusing to permit the comparison of another passage of scripture to the one you are studying. I'm not sidestepping, I'm pulling in more information. You look at a tree, while I look at the forest. Our views are different based on our different perspectives. I recommend you raise your perspective to a higher level. You'll see more that way.

Now, would you be interested in finding a match for the balances used to judge us in Galatians?
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 09:12 AM

How am I side stepping - I spend considerable time showing God's law is still binding, God's law defines sin, and no we are not to keep living in sin, but because I put this in context with the verses in Galatians, you falsely accused me saying I made obedience unnecessary. Which is blatantly a false witness.

You have still not addressed any of the verses in Galatians, under discussion. Your comments did NOT compare anything in Galatians. In fact I get the impression that you think Galatians is heresy and justification is dangerous, and you quickly wish to change the subject back to law.

Galatians will come to the "balance" in later chapters.
It is a very BALANCED chapter if you would only really study it instead of standing in fear of it.

Why do you want side step those verses and jump ahead to the judgment first, which would find you WANTING in the balances of heaven, if you ignore the first parts of the chapter? Why not look at Paul's sequence instead of immediately jumping into judgment. Indeed Paul makes it clear if we only see the law, that law will condemn us to eternal death.
Yes, God's law is the standard and it is far more righteous, especially if you compare it to God's character, who has such glorious holiness we'd fall dead in His very presence.
No way can our efforts reach that level of righteousness, indeed, we need to understand those first chapters for Salvation is NOT by law keeping.

Having been justified by Christ, clothed in His perfect righteousness, and abiding in Him, walking with Him in obedience, with our will placed under His will, leads to righteousness that is far greater than the keeping of the mere letter of law.
(Please notice I said greater -- I did notsay ignoring the law)

And yes -- to pass the judgment, our righteousness MUST be far greater than merely making an effort to stay in the boundary's of the commandments.

Keeping the letter of the law only, engaging in religious practices and moral living -- is outward works, self propelled, self righteousness, the thing Paul is warning only ends in destruction, and leaves one in bondage to sin, it will not cleanse and is the scourge of Laodicea.

Actually keeping the basic outline of the law outwardly isn't all that hard. Thus people think they have it together, but are in reality poor, blind, miserably entrenched in sin, lacking Christ's robe of righteousness.

There is a huge difference between mere "law keeping",
and living with God's righteousness, the fullness of His law written in our hearts and minds, shaping our whole characters.

By fully accepting that one is being justified by Christ, declared righteous by His, Christ's righteousness -- adopted as His child, a citizen of the heavenly kingdom, then reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive in Christ, filling our minds with thoughts of Him, abiding in Him, walking with Him in humble obedience -- that leads to righteousness that is internal, resulting in a "law keeping" with God's standards written in our minds and hearts. This reaches far deeper and broader than the mere keeping of the letter of the law.

What are the balances by which we are judged?
No -- not by outward works, but by our whole hearted co-operation with Christ working righteousness in us, which leads to exhibiting His works in our lives.
Do we glorify HIM?

Are we living to bring glory to HIM Who saved us, by the way we conduct ourselves, by the way we relate to others, or are we living to earn salvation?
The first is what we should long and strive for, the second is self righteousness and ends in failure and will never tip the balances in favor for salvation anyway.

We are to reflect His character, something we can do only if His presence is with us.
-- we don't become little christs.

If you want a chapter not by Paul, try John 15
Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/28/17 10:02 AM

Originally Posted By: dedication
In fact I get the impression that you think Galatians is heresy and justification is dangerous, and you quickly wish to change the subject back to law.


What did you think Galatians was talking about? Are YOU talking about Galatians, or not?

Yes, I have been talking about the law--which Paul in his letter to the Galatians also does. If you want to talk about "Galatians" instead of the law, go ahead. Maybe you could start by telling us about the members of the church there and why Paul would be writing to them.

Originally Posted By: dedication
You have still not addressed any of the verses in Galatians, under discussion. Your comments did NOT compare anything in Galatians. In fact I get the impression that you think Galatians is heresy and justification is dangerous, and you quickly wish to change the subject back to law.


I have been addressing its concepts. The verses have already been quoted here. However, you do not see the connections. If the Bible is a whole, as I believe it is, then other verses do indeed relate to those in Galatians. Here's an example:

Galatians 2:16

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

VERSUS

James 2:24
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Praise God for the Book of James! God knew Paul needed to be put into perspective. In light of such sharp contrasts as we see in the above, it seems shameful for anyone to study Paul in isolation. I believe the writers of the quarterly have done the church a disservice by ignoring these tempering statements.

Let's take a closer look:

First, what does Paul say?


Originally Posted By: Paul
Galatians
3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, [doeth he it] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.
3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:
3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though [it be] but a man's covenant, yet [if it be] confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
3:17 And this I say, [that] the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.


Now contrast that with James.

Originally Posted By: James
James
2:14 What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?
2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.


Clearly, both Paul and James are addressing faith in the same context--that of Abraham. Paul disconnects justification from works; whereas James integrally links them. To understand what Paul is saying in chapter 4, one must necessarily understand his philosophy as expressed in chapter 3. So, while Paul says Abraham was justified merely by believing, and NOT by works, James says Abraham was justified by works--and he explains why in a logical manner, saying that works demonstrate faith.

Originally Posted By: Ellen White
...The Lord does not save sinners by abolishing His law, the foundation of His government in heaven and in earth. The punishment has been endured by the sinner's substitute. Not that God is cruel and merciless, and Christ so merciful that He died on Calvary's cross to abolish a law so arbitrary that it needed to be extinguished, crucified between two thieves. The throne of God must not bear one stain of crime, one taint of sin. In the councils of heaven, before the world was created, the Father and the Son covenanted together that if man proved disloyal to God, Christ, one with the Father, would take the place of the transgressor, and suffer the penalty of justice that must fall upon him (MS 145, 1897). {6BC 1070.4}



By the way, justification is not "dangerous." Do you know what it is? Justification is simply "pardon." As for "Galatians" being heresy, that depends on the interpretation made of it. If it is used to support heresy, though, that does not truly make the book itself heretical.

I cannot stress enough the importance of comparing Paul's writings to the rest of scripture. To fail to do so is to risk great theological error, with consequences up to and including eternal damnation (see 2 Peter 3).
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/29/17 06:47 AM

If you read previous posts, you would see that I fully agree that the Lord does not save sinners by abolishing His law.


Originally Posted By: Green
By the way, justification is not "dangerous." Do you know what it is? Justification is simply "pardon." As for "Galatians" being heresy, that depends on the interpretation made of it. If it is used to support heresy, though, that does not truly make the book itself heretical.


I'm glad to know that you think "justification is NOT dangerous", however you do not really understand "justification" if you think it only means "pardon".
Now pardon is an important part of it, but if you think it ONLY means "pardon" then you still view the law as YOUR part in working out your own merits that will enable you to stand in the judgment. Yes, that theological error can reap very sad consequences for it will NEVER even come close to what you need to pass the judgment.

Also glad you don't think Galatians is "heresy".
No, it's not heresy! It is the gospel truth! However, the same spirit prevalent in 1888, where the gospel from Galatians and Romans was presented, and highly resisted by many of the leading brethren, is still rather evident.

Those brethren were convinced those young upstarts, Jones and Waggoner, were out to belittle God's law, and tell people it was just fine to sin. Which Jones and Waggoner were NOT doing in their presentation.
Adventists were so enmeshed in defending the law, they had lost sight of the meaning of "justification". Oh, they still believed in "pardon", but not in the full understanding of justification.




This was exactly what Paul had to deal with.
The Jews -- (Christian Jews following Paul and causing confusion in the churches Paul established) were zealous for the law!
What were they doing? They were coming with their long lists of things the Gentiles had to perform in order to be counted as belonging to the household of God and heirs of the promises.
They didn't outright deny Christ, I'm sure they believed sins could be forgiven, but they took the people's thoughts AWAY from a relationship with Christ -- to a self centered focus on their own works to win God's favor.

Until we too, learn to understand the full meaning of "justification" and what it really means in our lives, the latter rain will not fall upon us.


PAUL AND JAMES

Paul is explaining justification through a living faith in Christ -- it is NOT obtained by works.

James is telling us that a person in whose life there is no change has never experienced living faith or justification.
Their faith is DEAD.

Jesus says, those who ABIDE IN ME will bring forth much fruit, without Me you can do NOTHING (See John 15)

Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/29/17 08:06 AM

Originally Posted By: dedication
If you read previous posts, you would see that I fully agree that the Lord does not save sinners by abolishing His law.


Originally Posted By: Green
By the way, justification is not "dangerous." Do you know what it is? Justification is simply "pardon." As for "Galatians" being heresy, that depends on the interpretation made of it. If it is used to support heresy, though, that does not truly make the book itself heretical.


I'm glad to know that you think "justification is NOT dangerous", however you do not really understand "justification" if you think it only means "pardon".
Now pardon is an important part of it, but if you think it ONLY means "pardon" then you still view the law as YOUR part in working out your own merits that will enable you to stand in the judgment. Yes, that theological error can reap very sad consequences for it will NEVER even come close to what you need to pass the judgment.


Originally Posted By: Ellen White
"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Justification means pardon. It means that the heart, purged from dead works, is prepared to receive the blessing of sanctification. God has told us what we must do to receive this blessing. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." "Do all things without murmurings and disputings; that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." {ST, December 17, 1902 par. 3}

Does that help update your understanding?

Think about it logically, for a moment: If "pardon" entailed merely uttering the words "te absolvo," and nothing more, what would it accomplish? In order for God to truly pardon us, He must hide our sins. In Psalms, we are told: "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalms 103:12, KJV). That's a long ways. In fact, that's an impossible distance--for east never meets west. So, how does God accomplish this? By choosing to accept Jesus' perfect life in place of our own--and seeing His character in our stead. That is true pardon--and justification.

Originally Posted By: dedication
Also glad you don't think Galatians is "heresy".
No, it's not heresy! It is the gospel truth! However, the same spirit prevalent in 1888, where the gospel from Galatians and Romans was presented, and highly resisted by many of the leading brethren, is still rather evident.

Those brethren were convinced those young upstarts, Jones and Waggoner, were out to belittle God's law, and tell people it was just fine to sin. Which Jones and Waggoner were NOT doing in their presentation.
Adventists were so enmeshed in defending the law, they had lost sight of the meaning of "justification". Oh, they still believed in "pardon", but not in the full understanding of justification.




This was exactly what Paul had to deal with.
The Jews -- (Christian Jews following Paul and causing confusion in the churches Paul established) were zealous for the law!
What were they doing? They were coming with their long lists of things the Gentiles had to perform in order to be counted as belonging to the household of God and heirs of the promises.
They didn't outright deny Christ, I'm sure they believed sins could be forgiven, but they took the people's thoughts AWAY from a relationship with Christ -- to a self centered focus on their own works to win God's favor.

Until we too, learn to understand the full meaning of "justification" and what it really means in our lives, the latter rain will not fall upon us.


PAUL AND JAMES

Paul is explaining justification through a living faith in Christ -- it is NOT obtained by works.

James is telling us that a person in whose life there is no change has never experienced living faith or justification.
Their faith is DEAD.

Jesus says, those who ABIDE IN ME will bring forth much fruit, without Me you can do NOTHING (See John 15)



If one never obeys God's commands to humble himself or herself, to pray, to seek God, to make confession for sin, will he or she be forgiven? But these are works that we must do--and that God will not do for us. Therefore, I take the position that Paul should not be understood as speaking in absolutes. His thoughts were not detailed--he was not a detail-oriented person. His theology must be understood in more general terms, but leave the specifics for other Bible authors to explain. Paul's thought is simply that our salvation will not be merit-based. He does not teach that we need not obey. But some go so far as to claim that he indicates our works are neither necessary nor helpful toward our salvation. James would disagree. So would John. And Peter.

Paul himself says "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12, KJV). Interesting, no?

...but it seems you don't wish to weigh in on the balances.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/29/17 08:36 AM

WHAT IS FAITH?

Faith isn’t about feelings, it is not depended upon our senses, faith is more objective than our senses, it’s believing the promises in scripture, and trusting in a Person, Jesus Christ. Faith is based on something outside of ourselves, not a resource from within, but in the ultimate resource that is standing at the right hand of God.
Faith is putting our trust in a Person. Some people think faith is an experience, or feeling, but faith is in opposition to that, even when negative feelings emerge, or it seems that Christ isn't listening, faith presses on beyond feelings and experience and relies on God’s promises in His Word.

Romans 1:17 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 3:22,25 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.

Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

And yes, faith, trusts God enough to follow His leading even when it didn't make sense from a human standpoint.
Noah -- by faith builds a boat -- even though it had never rained before.
Abraham -- by faith up and leaves his country not know where God would lead him.
Moses -- by faith turns his back on the throne of Egypt to cast in his lot with slaves.



WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION?

Justification is pardon for sins by the blood of the Lamb, it is imputation of righteousness, a righteousness not of our own.

The parable of the prodigal son gives us a picture of justification.

Luke15:22 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.


We see:
The Father eagerly reaching out to bring the sinner home.
The sinner acknowledges his unworthiness, reinstatement is entirely by grace.
He is covered with a robe of righteousness.
He is "adopted" as a son bearing the signet of full privileges.
There is a calf "sacrificed" -- the son is fully pardoned -- but more He is fully and joyfully accepted as a child of the Father.

Justification is pardon. The sins of the repentant sinner are gone, taken, by Jesus to the cross where He died that we might live.
But pardon, by itself isn't "righteousness". Righteousness is right doing, right motives. In justification, Christ's righteousness is imputed to us. His merits applied to our account. His robe of righteousness clothes us.

We are adopted as members of God's family.

Quote:
The object of our faith, hope, and love, should be Jesus,--Jesus always, Jesus only. A mere profession of faith will not save us; we must have real faith in Christ. Then the heart will be renewed; we shall be born again. Christ takes our sins upon himself, and imparts to us his righteousness. {GCDB, April 13, 1891 par. 31}


We "die" to sin, and are raised to newness of life in Christ (symbolized by our baptism.
Justification is how God sets us right through a substitute, someone who takes my place – in the place of me – This is the reality of the perfection that is lived out in the life of Christ. Christ fulfilled righteousness, His life meets all the requirements set out by God’s law. To save humanity one needs infinite righteousness. Christ in his person is infinite. We need a perfect obedience to the law – and Christ is the only One who gave that perfect obedience to the law. That perfect life must be placed on record, instead of, in the place of, our highly faulty righteousness. The same with Christ’s death; the wages of sin is death, Christ took our sins and died in our place. The required righteousness was lived out by Christ while He was on this earth walking among men as a man. It is His righteousness, His perfection, all the prophecy has prophesied that there would be a kinsman Redeemer. Redemption is in something more objective then ourselves, it is in the person Jesus Christ. This is opposed to something more subjective which is my experiences, my feelings, or something mystical that was experienced.
Why is it important?

It is a misleading to believe that the exaltation of justification by faith will lead people to deny the need to overcome sin, for it is by the exaltation of justification by faith in Christ and HIS righteousness that the sinner is brought to a true knowledge of their sinfulness and is finally given the power to break the binding chains of Satan. The more we lift up Jesus, the more we talk of His beauty, the more the heart will bind itself in sympathy with Christ and His sufferings. The more we present His sacrifice and behold His matchless love, the more we will be changed into his likeness, and by uniting ourselves with Christ in gratitude for salvation, the heart learns loyalty to God, and fidelity to His commandments. By the exaltation of Christ’s righteousness, we learn that even our offerings of obedience are totally insufficient to earn heaven and we confess our utter dependency on Christ’s saving righteousness. In binding our hearts in sympathy with Him that loved us the believer runs away from sin, willing to rather die than to wound Christ afresh by knowingly committing sin. All this is the result of the exaltation of Christ’s substitutionary righteousness and it is by this emphases that the believer becomes sealed against sin and prepared for translation.

Justification...

Let the subject be made distinct and plain that it is not possible to effect anything in our standing before God or in the gift of God to us through creature merit. Should faith and works purchase the gift of salvation for anyone, then the Creator is under obligation to the creature. Here is an opportunity for falsehood to be accepted as truth. If any man can merit salvation by anything he may do, then he is in the same position as the Catholic to do penance for his sins. Salvation, then, is partly of debt, that may be earned as wages. If man cannot, by any of his good works, merit salvation, then it must be wholly of grace, received by man as a sinner because he receives and believes in Jesus. It is wholly a free gift. Justification by faith is placed beyond controversy. And all this controversy is ended, as soon as the matter is settled that the merits of fallen man in his good works can never procure eternal life for him. {FW 19.3}


Sanctification.

Sanctification has the meaning of being set apart for holiness.

Justification sets us apart -- pardons and cloths us with Christ's righteousness,
We, having "died" to sin are alive in Christ.

Sanctification concerns our relationship with Christ and His Holy Spirit. It requires whole hearted "abiding" in Christ, with full faith, trusting Him and obeying Him.


Phil. 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:
1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/29/17 09:36 AM

Comprehension?

What is meant by works?

The works Paul is talking about, that have no part in justification, are things done in order to gain merits with God.

When we speak of "works" the word "works" is not referring to our crying out to God to save us, it is not talking about our sorrow for sin, or confessing them before God, it is not talking about our longing to be more like Jesus, it is not talking about our love for Him.

I do not see turning to God in prayer and crying out to Him for His salvation as "works" nor are "repentance" "confession of sins" "seeking God" "loving Him" classified in the same category of "works".

If a person is doing them as a matter of "works" I fear they are not genuine.

Those things need to come from the heart, not just some action of works.
And even those responses that bring us nearer and nearer to God are "gifts of grace" from God, we have the choice of "hardening our hearts" or responding in loving co-operation.

A DIFFERENT WORD:
G2716 "katergazomai" "doing" or "resulting in"

For godly sorrow worketh G2716 repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh G2716 death.

When Paul writes "work out your own salvation" he's not talking about "works". "ergon"
He is using an entirely different word. "katergazomai" G2716
which has more the meaning "doing" or "resulting in"


On the other hand
"ergon" has more of a business oriented working meaning.
It is usually translated as "works".

That is the word Paul uses in these texts:
Rom 3:20
Therefore by the works G2041 of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? G2041 Nay: but by the law of faith.

Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds G2041 of the law.


Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, G2041 he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

Rom 4:6Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputes righteousness without works, G2041


Titus 3: 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Posted By: Green Cochoa

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/29/17 10:03 AM

From the rent sepulcher of Joseph rings forth the proclamation, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, and do the works of righteousness that I do, are justified, sanctified, made white and tried. They have obtained godliness and eternal life.” {OFC 239.1}

One man becomes ruler of ten cities, another of five, another of two, each man receiving exactly in proportion to the improvement he has made on the talents entrusted to his keeping. Our efforts in works of righteousness, in our own behalf and for the salvation of souls, will have a decided influence on our recompense.--The Review and Herald, Oct. 25, 1881. {3SM 147.4}

Religion consists in doing the words of Christ; not doing to earn God's favor, but because, all undeserving, we have received the gift of His love. Christ places the salvation of man, not upon profession merely, but upon faith that is made manifest in works of righteousness. Doing, not saying merely, is expected of the followers of Christ. It is through action that character is built. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14. Not those whose hearts are touched by the Spirit, not those who now and then yield to its power, but they that are led by the Spirit, are the sons of God. {MB 149.2}

Do you desire to become a follower of Christ, yet know not how to begin? Are you in darkness and know not how to find the light? Follow the light you have. Set your heart to obey what you do know of the word of God. His power, His very life, dwells in His word. As you receive the word in faith, it will give you power to obey. As you give heed to the light you have, greater light will come. You are building on God's word, and your character will be builded after the similitude of the character of Christ. {MB 150.1}
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/29/17 05:47 PM

Originally Posted By: dedication
The Two Covenants
Lesson for August 26-September 2, 2017

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,
24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—
25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—
26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.



Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel (people claiming to be God's people) is, that they might be saved. (many following the subscribed forms are NOT saved)
10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (what knowledge are they lacking? They know the law, scripture says they are "zealous for the law".)
10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (here is the key -- they are not submitting themselves to be led by God, but work according to their definition of righteousness and interpretations of the law)
10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (a right interpretation of the law will always lead one to Christ)
10:5 For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them. (but just one broken means we have broken all and stand in condemnation of the law, worthy only of death)

10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in you heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (the question is not who can become good enough by the law to ascend to heaven)

10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead. (Do we have the power to raise anyone from the dead? Was it our power that raised up Christ? No! Yet we are dead in our trespasses. There is no way we can raise ourselves. Yet the power that raised Christ from the dead can raise us from the death of sin!)

10:8 But what does it say? The word is nigh thee, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved.
............Eph. 2:5 For when we were dead in sins,
............He quickened
(resurrected us giving us spiritual life!)
.................... together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
.............. 2:6 And hath raised [us] up together,
.............. and made us sit together in heavenly
(citizens of heaven, clothed in Christ's righteousness, forgiven
.............. in Christ Jesus:


10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.....
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel
.



What is the difference between the old covenant
(the one that is a perversion even of the Old Testament gospel, covenant of God)

---going about to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. They are trying to "resurrect themselves" unto spiritual life.





Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/29/17 06:24 PM

Old Covenant - based on the promises of the people to keep the law. Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

New Covenant - bases on better promises - the promises of God. Eze_36:25-28 Then will I sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them. (28) And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Both envision obedience to the law. The means to achieve it are different. One leads to death. The other leads to Life. Just keeping the law because you are required to do so, really means you do not obey.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/31/17 07:26 AM

Originally Posted By: APL
Old Covenant - based on the promises of the people to keep the law. Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

New Covenant - bases on better promises - the promises of God. Eze_36:25-28 Then will I sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them. (28) And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Both envision obedience to the law. The means to achieve it are different. One leads to death. The other leads to Life. Just keeping the law because you are required to do so, really means you do not obey.


Agree.
Also the seeking to establish one's own righteousness means one does not really obey, as it usually ends up substituting one's own idea instead of following God's righteousness.

Example -- Cain, he was worshipping God, "obeying" according to his own idea which wasn't obedience at all but substituting his own works for what God required.

Example -- the last day crises will be built on the same concept, people will be worshipping and even urging the keeping of God's commandments, but substituting their own "works of righteousness" -- a day sanctified by human decree, and trampling on the day sanctified and blessed by God.

Example -- 7th day Sabbath keeping itself can be offering a substitute righteousness as we see in the conflicts between Christ and the Jewish leaders. A dreary adherence to rules may "look righteous" but real righteousness is found only in a joyful day of worship with Christ?

Pr. 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

Indeed our righteousness must come from a source outside of ourselves -- from Christ. We are to be His, and to constantly look to Him as our Savior.

Rev. 1:5 Jesus Christ, ...Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ez. 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.


And He has promised "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ez. 36:26-27
Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/31/17 08:23 AM

A few excerpts from Steps to Christ:

The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. {SC 26.2}

There are those who profess to serve God, while they rely upon their own efforts to obey His law, to form a right character, and secure salvation. Their hearts are not moved by any deep sense of the love of Christ, but they seek to perform the duties of the Christian life as that which God requires of them in order to gain heaven. Such religion is worth nothing.
{SC 44.2}

We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. "Ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him."
1 John 3:5, 6. Here is the true test. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, our thoughts, our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy law. "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous." 1 John 3:7. Righteousness is defined by the standard of God's holy law, as expressed in the ten precepts given on Sinai. {SC 61.1}

It was possible for Adam, before the fall, to form a righteous character by obedience to God's law. But he failed to do this, and because of his sin our natures are fallen and we cannot make ourselves righteous. Since we are sinful, unholy, we cannot perfectly obey the holy law. We have no righteousness of our own with which to meet the claims of the law of God. But Christ has made a way of escape for us.
{SC 62.2}

Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work alone. They have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but now they seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such effort must fail. Jesus says, "Without Me ye can do nothing."
{SC 69.1}
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/31/17 09:19 AM

A different question?

Scripture seems to talk about TWO "old covenants".
One that God presented to the Israelites.
And another that the Israelites presented to God.

God's "old covenant"
God's covenant (whether old or new) has always been based on solid promises of salvation. We call it the "everlasting covenant" with Christ as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth as the hope of salvation.
"The covenant of grace is not a new truth, for it existed in the mind of God from all eternity. This is why it is called the everlasting covenant."FLB 77

The old covenant that God presented to Old Testament believers was a covenant of grace "dressed in ceremonies" that foreshadowed Christ's work of salvation. It was part of the everlasting covenant.

As we read in Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and an earthly sanctuary.
9:2 For there was a tabernacle built; the first with the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the holy place.
9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all.

It is this "old covenant" that was to teach them of their need for a Savior, and point them to coming Savior. Its function would vanish away at the cross, as type met antitype.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he says, A new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxed old is ready to vanish away.

Mankind's Old Covenant

"We will do it" confidence in self.
This is the one that seemed to take center place in the thinking of the people -- they thought they had to clean themselves up to earn their salvation, they promised to do it, and of course, failed. This was not what God was offering -- it was mankind's perversion of God's covenant.

The very means (ceremonial) that God gave them, instead of awakening in them their need, as sinners, of a Savior, became a "works" program.

That self confident "old covenant" should have "vanished away" after the terrible incident at Sinai, when the people realized they needed the cleansing, forgiveness and the holy Spirit to come into a right relationship with God.

"They could not hope for the favor of God through a covenant which they had broken; and now, seeing their sinfulness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their need of the Saviour revealed in the Abrahamic covenant and shadowed forth in the sacrificial offerings. Now by faith and love they were bound to God as their deliverer from the bondage of sin. Now they were prepared to appreciate the blessings of the new covenant. {AG 136.3}

However, that "old covenant" didn't vanish away, and hasn't vanished away to this day-- it is still the bases of all false religion and very prevalent! It's based on --"We will worship and obey, but we will do it our way"

The class of worshipers who follow the example of Cain includes by far the greater portion of the world; for nearly every false religion has been based on the same principle--that man can depend upon his own efforts for salvation. As Cain thought to secure the divine favor by an offering that lacked the blood of a sacrifice, so do these expect to exalt humanity to the divine standard, independent of the atonement. ... Humanity has no power to regenerate itself. It does not tend upward, toward the divine, but downward, toward the satanic. Christ is our only hope. "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." "Neither is there salvation in any other. {PP 73.1}

The New Covenant --
The gospel, and all God's promises of salvation, is ratified by the blood of Christ, it is the gospel in reality. The ceremonial has passed away, Christ our Savior, and heavenly high Priest is our salvation.

So which of these two "old covenants" is Paul speaking about?

Both -- he has combined them as one, and is urging people to accept the new covenant which brings the reality of forgiveness and new life in Christ.
Both, those "old" were to vanish away -- the "gospel in ceremonies" was to be replaced by looking to Jesus Who is the reality those ceremonies pointed to.
And the perversion of the covenant in seeking ones own righteousness also (always) needed to pass away.


CONCLUSION:
The everlasting covenant overarches all salvation's story.
God's old covenant of the gospel in ceremonies ended at the cross when the reality replaced the shadow.
God's new covenant gospel, ratified by Christ's death, and administered by His life, began at the cross.

The perversion of the covenant -- "we will do it" seeking one's own righteousness instead of the righteousness in Christ, continues to pervert the gospel to this day.

It's why, when EGW was asked what "law" Galatians was talking about -- she said "both".
Paul was saying Jewish ceremonies are not required to be part of God's family.
Paul was emphasizing that looking to our works of law keeping as the means of salvation would not bring salvation, but looking to Christ for salvation, brought cleansing, and righteousness.


------------------------everlasting covenant---------------------------

God's old covenant---------------------------God's New Covenant
gospel in ceremonies-------------------------gospel in reality of Christ.

-----------------old perverted covenant on weak promises---------------

May we all enter into the everlasting covenant of grace, in the brilliant light of the new covenant, ratified by the blood of Christ, and applied by His life as our heavenly high Priest.

There is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved!





Posted By: APL

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 08/31/17 04:35 PM

God's Everlasting Covenant is the New Covenant. It is only called New because it was ratified after the Old. And in reality, both covenants are parallel tracks from paradise lost, to paradise restored, they are not dispensations. Both covenants were only made with the House of Israel and the House of Judah, gentiles have no part of either covenant apart from Christ. Salvation has ever only been via the New Covenant.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/05/17 06:50 AM

The Lesson for this week is discussing Galatians 5:1-15

Christian Liberty

5:1 Stand a fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Love Fulfills the Law

7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/05/17 07:48 AM

Galatians 5:1 Stand a fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage

Sin is the cruel slave master that binds his victims in firm chains that they cannot escape.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free....

With urgency Paul admonishes us to be on guard, be not careless, but steadfast and constant. Don't lie down and sleep, but stand up for your liberty.

Satan hates the gospel of freedom, the gospel of grace, and will fight against it with all his might.

What is this liberty?

Now we must understand that the devil also offers his brand of liberty. His brand of liberty is antinomianism -- no law, do as you please. But it is only an appearance of "liberty", a sham liberty that leads into deeper bondage with sins chains binding its victim in its consequential ruin and addictions.

Paul warns against that counterfeit liberty. calling it the "bondage of corruption".

This is not speaking of that kind of liberty. This is speaking of the liberty whereby Christ has made us free, not from an earthly bondage, but from the burden of guilt and from the wrath of God against sin.

And where does this liberty occur?

In the conscience.

For Christ has made us free,
-- not physically, we still live in this world of sin
-- not carnally, we are not freed to live licentiously in sin
-- but we are freed from the burden of guilt and shame,
-- we are freed from the accusations of Satan that we belong to him and must do his bidding.
---we are freed from Satan's kingdom, and accepted as sons and daughters of the King of kings, through Jesus Christ our Savior.

In this freedom, our conscience is free and quiet.
We do not live in fear of God and the wrath to come.
With the confidence of a son or daughter we can come to the loving Father.

Romans 8:15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

We are now free to honor and glorify God, and live for Him in joy and love.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/06/17 06:54 PM

Galatians 5:2
"Behold, I, Paul, say unto you, that if you be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing."


Strong statement! Does the rite circumcision defeat salvation?
That depends upon WHY it is done.

Why this strong thundering against circumcision?
Basically it is against all attempts to provide our own salvation.

Paul is stating that nothing under the sun is more hurtful than the doctrine that people can save themselves by their traditions and works; for they utterly overthrow the truth of the gospel and think they do not really need it.

They say -- we are of the circumcision, therefore we are members of the family of God, we follow the law, we don't need a Savior from sin.

They depend upon their works, and think they need nothing more.
It is the state of Laodicea -- we are rich and in need of nothing for we have our forms and regulations that we follow -- we need nothing more.


Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/07/17 09:22 AM

3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Paul is NOT saying that works of themselves are nothing, but the trust in the works is nothing.

We need to mark well the difference.

The Laodicean Christians pride themselves on their achieved goodness thinking they need nothing more. But they are in the nakedness of sinful shame, blind to their condition, because Christ is not a vital part of their lives.

The answer to the Laodicean state is given in Rev. 3

3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.


How much we need Christ our Savior in our lives cannot be over stated. We need salvation which comes only from Christ, never from ourselves.

When we trust in our own works we make Christ only a vague power, with ourselves as the means and achievers of salvation.
Therefore he who receives circumcision with this opinion, that it is necessary for justification, to him a close relationship with Christ is not all that necessary.

Christ is left outside, knocking, but the door remains closed as we simply throw out a power cord asking for "power" to overcome sin, but, we will do this ourselves, mindset.

Yet, those who try to "do" the law, don't do it. For the more they go about to fulfill the law, the more they transgress it. For their focus is on the law and on themselves, neither of which can renew.

Now scripture does say we are to "overcome" even as Christ overcame. How?

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

It is Christ that makes us righteous! We cannot make ourselves righteous. If we accept the gift of justification which Christ offers us -- we are righteous before God.
Do we believe that?
Do we REALLY believe that?

If we offer God our own righteousness as our means to heaven then the curse is still upon us -- for "Cursed is every one that fulfills not all the things that are written in the law" Deut. 27:26.

To be fallen from grace, means simply we are not depending upon the grace of God for salvation, but depending upon our works.
When we depend upon our works, grace becomes a minor theme, a denial of it's absolute necessity in salvation.

Paul's whole message here is to wean people away from their self reliance, and drive them to Christ.

Open the door wide for Christ to enter your entire life.
Abide in Him, pray without ceasing, feed upon His Word, believe in His promises. And yes -- when we do this, we will overcome --

He will cleanse our conscience from guilt and shame and all the dead works we've been offering Him, and we will be adopted as sons and daughters of God! He will give us a new heart, and spirit of living in harmony within His will -- Yes, we will live in obedience to His will.

But there will be a difference-- we don't obey in order to be saved, we obey because we are united with Christ, He will teach us what to say and do on a daily basis, and we co-operate with Him for we want to represent Him.
We need Him in our lives, in all that we do.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/08/17 07:54 PM

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased

Interesting concept --
Somehow we thought that "circumcision" was an "offense" to the Gentile Christians and "the cross" was welcomed.
But Paul is reversing this idea.

Why would the cross be an "offense" and even something like circumcision be accepted in order to remove the offense of the cross?

Paul is speaking of his experience.
His people, the people claiming to be God's chosen, despise him, because he is telling them that their circumcision and zeal for the law will not save them. Their gospel, which is not a gospel, will not save anyone. (See Gal. 1:6-7) Everything they point to as things meriting them a place in God's kingdom, Paul is saying will not save them, so they persecute him and try to get rid of him.

However, here is the central point of "overcoming"!
Their zeal for the law did not enable them to overcome. As Matthew 23 points out -- that zeal ends up being a "white washed sepulcher" looking clean on the outside but full of rotten material inside.

They hated Christ, Himself. Why? Because His pure and holy life was a constant reproof to them INSPITE of their pious and strict show of law keeping.

When people respond to Christ in repentance, accepting His gift of righteousness, His justification, and invite Him fully into their lives, believing they are the sons and daughter of God, joint heirs with Christ in God's kingdom, their lives change in a dramatic way. Abiding in Christ brings fruit!

However, they will find that the offense of the cross has not ceased.

Justification by faith is one message satan and his evil hosts fight against.

Quote:
“It is a knowledge of Christ as the sin-bearer, as the propitiation for our iniquities, that enables us to live a life of holiness… Satan knows that without this knowledge we should be thrown into confusion and divested of our strength. Our faith in God would be gone, and we should be left a prey to every artifice of the enemy.” [1 SM 264]

“The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of God and man is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken. {GW 161.1}

Why do people believe that the exaltation of justification by faith will lead people to deny the need to overcome sin, when it is by this very truth of justification by faith in Christ and HIS righteousness that the sinner is brought to a true knowledge of their sinfulness and is finally given the power to break the binding chains of Satan!

The more we lift up Jesus, the more we talk of Who He is and what He has done, the more the heart will bind itself in sympathy with Christ and His sufferings. The more we present His sacrifice and behold His matchless love, the more we will be changed into his likeness, and by uniting ourselves with Christ in gratitude for salvation, the heart learns loyalty to God, and fidelity to His commandments.

The offense of the cross lays man's glory in the dust and this the carnal mind does not like at all, people want something, anything, that will bring glory to themselves.
But if we escape the offense of the cross, we have fallen from grace and salvation.


Principalities and powers and wicked spirits in high places are arrayed against all who yield obedience to the law of heaven. Therefore, so far from causing grief, persecution should bring joy to the disciples of Christ, for it is an evidence that they are following in the steps of their Master.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/10/17 08:17 AM

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

In the previous verses Paul has been urging his readers to focus on Christ, not on self. Christ is our salvation. We have nothing of which to boast.
As we forsake our self righteousness and depend upon Him for our righteousness, it changes the way we look at others.
God's love can flow through us to others.

Once we are freed from the burden of having to work up our salvation, and depend upon Christ for our righteousness, we are freed to fulfill the law" which goes far deeper than merely observing a superficial regard for the law.

What is it that makes heaven- heavenly? It is love and harmony! Pride, self-righteousness, haughtiness, strife, putting others down to lift oneself up, cruelty, etc. all that will not be present there.

We cannot change the heart. We can't even force ourselves to love in a godly manner. This is where the biggest evidence of whether one follows a works oriented or a Christ oriented sanctification shows the biggest difference. One checks off rules and looks down on others who haven't achieved their standard, they tend to evaluate their "progress" by the defects of others, not realizing they may be further from fulfilling the law, than the ones they look down upon.
The other has faith that they are forgiven and accepted by God, and they see people in need, (just as they need Christ) and like Christ who reached out to others, they too reach out to others. Self is no longer the focus -- with Christ they seek to help others.

When we read the judgment scene as pictured in scripture. What do we see there in
Matthew 25?

Those whose "works" are approved, are surprised -- why?
Because they weren't doing them to be saved -- the love of God was flowing through them showing that they were in tune with Christ.


I remember a testimony of one man which he presented in church.
He came from a very strict Adventist background.
One day, as he was traveling on business, he stopped at a restaurant. While there he noticed a woman enter, and he quickly glanced away in distain -- makeup, cheap jewelry, short skirt --
He noticed another person enter -- this one looked like a homeless fellow, ragged, dirty. Again he felt a sense of repulsion. Wondering how he managed to choose a restaurant that catered to this "low life".

The homeless man sat at a table and ordered just a coffee. Suddenly the woman got up, took out her wallet and bought another full meal and carried it over to the homeless man who received it with genuine gratitude.

As he related the story, the Adventist confessed that the Holy Spirit really convicted him at that moment. There he was in his neat clothes and a nice amount of money in his wallet, wrapped in his self righteousness, thinking all those condemnatory thoughts about the woman. Nor had he moved in compassion when the homeless man entered.
She was like the "good Samaritan" with a heart of compassion, he was like the Levite filled with distain unmoved by compassion.

It's not easy to lay aside our self centered religion, and admit we cannot "do it", God still has a lot of work to do in me!
We need to sing the children's song.
"Into my heart, Come into my heart Lord Jesus, and shine out from my heart" because that's the only way we can fulfill God's law.

Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/10/17 08:23 AM

A NEW WEEK September 9-16

The Lesson for this week

Living by the Spirit


Texts for discussion this week:
Galatians 5:16-25

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: 4adultery, 5fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, 6murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 7gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/12/17 08:47 AM

Walking in the Spirit

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

What is meant by "walking"?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our walk?

To "walk" indicates our life activities -- a “way” of life to be “walked.” Who is our walking partner?

Enoch walked with God, he learned how to commune with God through every facet of life.

Christ is not physically on earth now, but He is still walking with us through the Holy Spirit.

"Christ instructed His disciples regarding a most essential and complete gift which He was to bestow upon His followers--the gift that would bring within their reach the boundless resources of His grace. {AA 47.1}

The Holy Spirit works in us by bringing to mind, vividly and often, the precious truths concerning God's saving operations in the plan of redemption. We would forget the truths of God, which we neglect to obey, and for us his rich promises would lose their efficiency, were it not for the Holy Spirit working upon our hearts; he takes of the things of God, and presents them anew to our minds. {RH, August 25, 1891 par. 6}

"When He, the Spirit of truth, is come," said Jesus, "He will guide you into all truth." {DA 670.3}

"The Comforter is called "the Spirit of truth." His work is to define and maintain the truth. He first dwells in the heart as the Spirit of truth, and thus He becomes the Comforter. There is comfort and peace in the truth, but no real peace or comfort can be found in falsehood. ..Through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit speaks to the mind, and impresses truth upon the heart. He exposes error, and expels it from the soul. It is by the Spirit of truth, working through the word of God, that Christ subdues His chosen people to Himself. {DA 671.1}

"In describing to His disciples the office work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire them with the joy and hope that inspired His own heart. He rejoiced because of the abundant help He had provided for His church. The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people. The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power.
"It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. {DA 671.2}


Walking in the Spirit is living our lives with a conscious realization of God's presence. God, through His Spirit, is our walking partner!

“Being led by the Spirit” in verse 18. The phrase, “being led by the Spirit,” means the Holy Spirit is leading, we aren't "using" the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is the One Who takes the initiative in the life of a Christian. We don’t lead him; he leads us.

He impresses the meaning of scripture upon our minds; He awakens love for Christ and the desire to honor and obey Him; He reveals the paths to take, magnifying the law in its goodness, He leads us to develop godly attitudes. We are being led to put to death the deeds of flesh and to walk as children of God, in the presence of God.

“Being led by the Spirit” refers to the Spirit’s initiative and enablement. “Walking by the Spirit” refers to our resulting behavior.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/17/17 05:25 AM

The Gospel and the Church

Lesson for this week
Sept. 16-23

Memory Text: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10, ESV).

Verse in Galatian for this week's Study
Galatians 6:1-10


Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.




Be Generous and Do Good

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/17/17 05:57 AM

Paul is not dealing with a case of defiant sin, he is talking about human failure, being "overtaken" (and yielding to sin) as in the "flesh" winning a battle.

In the verses we studied last week, we realize the war between the spirit and the flesh is an ongoing battle, but when we walk with the Holy Spirit the lusts of the flesh are subdued and lose their power.

But we, being human are still very susceptible to being "overtaken" by the flesh and trespassing.

Paul is much sterner when it comes to defiant, purposeful sinning. (See 1 Cor. 5)

But in this situation he states:
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."
The proper response in this situation should not be punishment, condemnation, or disfellowship but rather a gentle, caring response to help them "mend" and be restored in their spiritual walk.

Interesting too, Paul's caution seems to be saying, Don't look down on this person because you weren't the one who slipped in his particular trespass -- remember you could very easily be the next fall.
When Jesus looked at the multitudes plagued with sin, He felt compassion for them. We too need that compassion and remember, our own walk is totally dependent upon the Holy Spirit leading and enabling us.

We should gently care for our brothers and sisters in Christ who may stumble and fall as we walk together on the path to God's kingdom.

A question we need to consider --
When we see a person slip and fall do we reach out to them with compassion as Jesus did, to lift them up and encourage them in the spiritual walk, (as in matt.18) or do we gossip and condemn them?



Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/18/17 06:15 AM

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself


One of the greatest dangers to the Christian walk is a sense of spiritual pride -- an "I have arrived" attitude.

Why is this dangerous?

1 Cor. 10:12
"Let him who thinks he standeth, take heed, lest he fall.


Remember Peter, who loved His Lord dearly, yet was filled with self confidence --
"Even if everyone else forsakes you Lord, I would never do that! Even if I have to die with you, I would never deny You!"

Matthew 26:34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Quote:
All who have a sense of their deep soul poverty, who feel that they have nothing good in themselves, may find righteousness and strength by looking unto Jesus...

The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells. {FLB 136.5}

Those who are truly sanctified have a sense of their own weakness. Feeling their need, they will go for light and grace and strength to Jesus, in whom all fullness dwells, and who alone can supply their wants. Conscious of their own imperfections, they seek to become more like Christ, and to live in accordance with the principles of His holy law. This continual sense of inefficiency will lead to such entire dependence upon God, that His Spirit will be exemplified in them. --Bible Echo, Feb. 21, 1898
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/20/17 09:14 AM

Genuine, caring love for others -- even people that we are not naturally attracted to -- is a sign that a power beyond ourselves is at work within us.

It's something that a mere law based performance can never manufacture. It's something that comes from God.
If we've found the love of Christ, He will lead us to obey His law of love, in verity.

A person demonstrated the gift of the spirit thus:
The fruit of the spirit is spoken of as one --
Consider a orange. It has a peel and inside are many sections, but it is one fruit. Take the peel away and the inside sections dry up.

Love is like that peel, it surrounds all the others, it contains all the others (peace, joy, etc) if we lose love, we loose the whole fruit.
The others all dry up without love.

1 Cor. 14

13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/22/17 09:26 AM

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.



What is Paul referring to in the above verses.

We can look at it on the broad scale of human interpersonal relationships. It is quite natural for a smile to reap a smile in return; a person who has many friends is usually a very friendly person. In marriage we hear accounts of marriages saved because one partner commits to really building up the other person. The way we treat others does have a significant effect on how others treat us. It can change the whole atmosphere when a happy, positive person enters a group!
Hopefully we can by that person within our church community, bringing a unity to work together for Christ.

But then we move to another scene. Paul writes to Timothy that " all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
Thus living a godly life, does not guarantee any painless existence in this world, in fact it can bring some rough times.

However, I was thinking of the verse in yet a different line.

Much of Paul's letter was on salvation through faith in Christ, not by law. Here he is bringing in a balance, saying, even though we are not saved by keeping the law, yet that law (which is based on love) is there for a reason. God put it there because He loves us.
To willingly live outside God's law, thinking it doesn't matter if we obey it or not, is in essence mocking God and his law.
Disobeying God's laws does have consequences-- sin has serious consequences.

For example, King David, did some pretty bad things, he confessed, repented in genuine repentance, and God forgave him, justified him and even called him a man after his own heart.
David was restored in a saving relationship with God, he received justification, yet he still reaped the consequences of his sin. There was, among other things, the loss of respect of his children, and even of his subjects. Life was different and not so pleasant after his fall.

Yes, grace is an undeserved gift to the believing Christian, yet don't mock God by thinking that the gift, which comes without the law, makes it OK to sin. Disregarding God's law has consequences -- a person does reap the results of their sins.
Those sins can leave terrible scars. Like nails pulled out of a board, even though the nails are gone, they leave holes, so sins, even though forgiven, leave scars.

But like David, who held fast his faith in God, and knew his transgressions were covered, moved forward continuing to serves and love God, we too can be assured that when we come to Christ, we are forgiven, and even when things don't go smooth for whatever reason, we continue in well doing, for in the end, through Christ working for us and in us, we will reap eternal life, if we keep our eyes fixed on Him.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/23/17 05:14 PM

What powerful counsel these quotes contain --


From "Christ's Object Lessons"

"We ourselves owe everything to God's free grace. Grace in the covenant ordained our adoption. Grace in the Saviour effected our redemption, our regeneration, and our exaltation to heirship with Christ. Let this grace be revealed to others. {COL 250.1}

Give the erring one no occasion for discouragement. Suffer not a Pharisaical hardness to come in and hurt your brother. Let no bitter sneer rise in mind or heart. Let no tinge of scorn be manifest in the voice. If you speak a word of your own, if you take an attitude of indifference, or show suspicion or distrust, it may prove the ruin of a soul. He needs a brother with the Elder Brother's heart of sympathy to touch his heart of humanity. Let him feel the strong clasp of a sympathizing hand, and hear the whisper, Let us pray. God will give a rich experience to you both. Prayer unites us with one another and with God. Prayer brings Jesus to our side, and gives to the fainting, perplexed soul new strength to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. Prayer turns aside the attacks of Satan. {COL 250.2}

When one turns away from human imperfections to behold Jesus, a divine transformation takes place in the character. The Spirit of Christ working upon the heart conforms it to His image. Then let it be your effort to lift up Jesus. Let the mind's eye be directed to "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29. And as you engage in this work, remember that "he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." James 5:20. {COL 250.3}

"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:15. Nothing can justify an unforgiving spirit. He who is unmerciful toward others shows that he himself is not a partaker of God's pardoning grace. In God's forgiveness the heart of the erring one is drawn close to the great heart of Infinite Love. The tide of divine compassion flows into the sinner's soul, and from him to the souls of others. The tenderness and mercy that Christ has revealed in His own precious life will be seen in those who become sharers of His grace. But "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Romans 8:9. He is alienated from God, fitted only for eternal separation from Him. {COL 251.1}

It is true that he may once have received forgiveness; but his unmerciful spirit shows that he now rejects God's pardoning love. He has separated himself from God, and is in the same condition as before he was forgiven. He has denied his repentance, and his sins are upon him as if he had not repented. {COL 251.2}

But the great lesson of the parable (or the unforgiving servant) lies in the contrast between God's compassion and man's hardheartedness; in the fact that God's forgiving mercy is to be the measure of our own. "Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?" {COL 251.3}

We are not forgiven because we forgive, but as we forgive. The ground of all forgiveness is found in the unmerited love of God, but by our attitude toward others we show whether we have made that love our own. Wherefore Christ says, "With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matthew 7:2. {COL 251.4}


Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/23/17 06:08 PM

THE LAW OF CHRIST

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

What is the law of Christ?

Some contend it is something different than the ten commandments -

However, the difference is not a difference in God's law, but a difference in understanding what that law actually entails!!!

God's command law is the law of Christ.

Matt. 12 :36-39 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets


QUOTE
"The first four commandments of the law grow out of our relation to God, and demand the loving loyalty of our whole hearts. The last six grow out of our relations to our fellow-man, and require us to regard their interests as our own.
The keeping of these commandments comprises the whole duty of man, and presents the conditions of eternal life. Now the question is, Will man comply with the requirements? Will he love God supremely and his neighbour as himself? There is no possible way for man to do this in his own strength. {BEcho, June 11, 1894 par. 2}

"If the first commandments are loyally observed, the other six, which define the duty of man to his fellow-man, will be as faithfully observed. When God has his rightful place on the throne of the heart the duties assigned in the last six commandments will be performed as there directed. {3SP 52.2}
All the religious service of the Jews was of no value whatever unless connected with living faith in Christ Jesus, who was the substance of which that service was the shadow. Christ had repeatedly shown that his Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands. The moral law contains the gospel in principle. {3SP 54.2}



Fulfilling God's law can only be done through Christ --
His grace of forgiveness and redemption accepted, His love and mercy fully appreciated, flows through us to others to give of ourselves for their uplifting.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/24/17 04:18 AM

The last lesson this quarter in the book of Galatians

BOASTING IN THE CROSS
Sept. 23-30
The lesson link

Memory Verse:
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Gal. 6:14 NKJV


Texts to study for this week:
Galatians 6: 11-18


Glory Only in the Cross

11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!
12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation
.



Blessing and a Plea

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Posted By: kland

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/28/17 05:59 PM

The Jews had always prided themselves upon their divinely appointed services, and many of those who had been converted to the faith of Christ still felt that since God had once clearly outlined the Hebrew manner of worship, it was improbable that He would ever authorize a change in any of its specifications. They insisted that the Jewish laws and ceremonies should be incorporated into the rites of the Christian religion. They were slow to discern that all the sacrificial offerings had but prefigured the death of the Son of God, in which type met antitype, and after which the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic dispensation were no longer binding. {AA 189.3}
Before his conversion Paul had regarded himself as blameless "touching the righteousness which is in the law." Philippians 3:6. But since his change of heart he had gained a clear conception of the mission of the Saviour as the Redeemer of the entire race, Gentile as well as Jew, and had learned the difference between a living faith and a dead formalism. In the light of the gospel the ancient rites and ceremonies committed to Israel had gained a new and deeper significance. That which they shadowed forth had come to pass, and those who were living under the gospel dispensation had been freed from their observance. God's unchangeable law of Ten Commandments, however, Paul still kept in spirit as well as in letter. {AA 190.1}

What could "divinely appointed services" mean other than the feast days? What other could "the ancient rites and ceremonies committed to Israel" include?

In the Galatian churches, open, unmasked error was supplanting the gospel message. Christ, the true foundation of the faith, was virtually renounced for the obsolete ceremonies of Judaism. The apostle saw that if the believers in Galatia were saved from the dangerous influences which threatened them, the most decisive measures must be taken, the sharpest warnings given. {AA 385.2}

Christ was standing at the point of transition between two economies and their two great festivals. He, the spotless Lamb of God, was about to present Himself as a sin offering, that He would thus bring to an end the system of types and ceremonies that for four thousand years had pointed to His death. As He ate the Passover with His disciples, He instituted in its place the service that was to be the memorial of His great sacrifice. The national festival of the Jews was to pass away forever. The service which Christ established was to be observed by His followers in all lands and through all ages. {DA 652.2}

In this ordinance, Christ discharged his disciples from the cares and burdens of the ancient Jewish obligations in rites and ceremonies. These no longer possessed any virtue; for type was meeting antitype in himself, the authority and foundation of all Jewish ordinances that pointed to him as the great and only efficacious offering for the sins of the world. He gave this simple ordinance that it might be a special season when he himself would always be present, to lead all participating in it to feel the pulse of their own conscience, to awaken them to an understanding of the lessons symbolized, to revive their memory, to convict of sin, and to receive their penitential repentance. He would teach them that brother is not to exalt himself above brother, that the dangers of disunion and strife shall be seen and appreciated; for the health and holy activity of the soul are involved. {RH, June 14, 1898 par. 15}
This ordinance does not speak so largely to man's intellectual capacity as to his heart. His moral and spiritual nature needs it. If his disciples had not needed this, it would not have been left for them as Christ's last established ordinance in connection with, and including, the last supper. It was Christ's desire to leave to his disciples an ordinance that would do for them the very thing they needed,--that would serve to disentangle them from the rites and ceremonies which they had hitherto engaged in as essential, and which the reception of the gospel made no longer of any force. To continue these rites would be an insult to Jehovah. Eating of the body, and drinking of the blood, of Christ, not merely at the sacramental service, but daily partaking of the bread of life to satisfy the soul's hunger, would be in receiving his word and doing his will. {RH, June 14, 1898 par. 16}
Posted By: Daryl

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/30/17 03:26 AM

I must say that this has been an interesting quarter of studies from the book of Galatians!
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/30/17 05:15 AM

Originally Posted By: Daryl
I must say that this has been an interesting quarter of studies from the book of Galatians!

I fully agree --
The plan of salvation is something priceless and profound! We will be studying it and still finding it intensely interesting all through eternity!

Quote:
The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? The infinite love and mercy of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, calls for the most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon the mission of him who came to save his people from their sins. As we thus contemplate heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger, and our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God, because they will be more and more mixed with faith and love. They will be intelligent and fervent. There will be more constant confidence in Jesus, and a daily, living experience in his power to save to the utmost all that come unto God by him. {CE 57.2}
As we meditate upon the perfections of the Saviour, we shall desire to be wholly transformed, and renewed in the image of his purity. There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become like him whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we shall speak of him to others, and represent him to the world. {CE 57.3}
Posted By: dedication

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 09/30/17 05:37 AM

Originally Posted By: kland

Before his conversion Paul had regarded himself as blameless "touching the righteousness which is in the law." Philippians 3:6. But since his change of heart he had gained a clear conception of the mission of the Saviour as the Redeemer of the entire race, Gentile as well as Jew, and had learned the difference between a living faith and a dead formalism. In the light of the gospel the ancient rites and ceremonies committed to Israel had gained a new and deeper significance. That which they shadowed forth had come to pass, and those who were living under the gospel dispensation had been freed from their observance. God's unchangeable law of Ten Commandments, however, Paul still kept in spirit as well as in letter. {AA 190.1}

What could "divinely appointed services" mean other than the feast days? What other could "the ancient rites and ceremonies committed to Israel" include?

In the Galatian churches, open, unmasked error was supplanting the gospel message. Christ, the true foundation of the faith, was virtually renounced for the obsolete ceremonies of Judaism. The apostle saw that if the believers in Galatia were saved from the dangerous influences which threatened them, the most decisive measures must be taken, the sharpest warnings given. {AA 385.2}



Excellent quotes!

The temple rituals and ceremonies were to lead people to Christ and teach them about the work of Salvation Christ would do for a lost world.

However, like many people today, the main Jewish population thought it was something they could do to merit their own salvation. The focus turned away from the ONE who offered salvation and centered upon self and what they could do to earn salvation.

Those who fall into that trap, like Paul prior to accepting the gospel, tend to regard themselves as good "touching the righteousness which is in the law", as they boast that they are pretty strict in checking off their list of does and don'ts, while those who were weaker really had not hope.

However, when we come to Christ and accept His righteousness then we no longer "boast" about our strength, for we realize that's all "dead works".
Real faith and salvation and true overcoming, is all from Christ!


Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.



Posted By: Daryl

Re: Third Quarter 2017 The Gospel in Galatians - 10/02/17 04:25 AM

And it continues from the book of Romans over the next three months.
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