Weekly Recap #48 - (Part 2) - Galatians

I love it when I can finish up an entire book so that we can do our recap in one post.

We also read 3 chapters in Ephesians this week,  but I'm gonna wait until next week to recap that....so I can post it altogether!!

So....let's learn a little about the book of Galatians.

The book of Galatians is Paul's letter to the Christians of Galatia.  Galatians is the epistle of every believer who  confesses as Paul did in Galatians 2:20....

"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."

Many people follow a different way that pretends to be the "Good News", but it isn't the Good News at all.  Many are fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 

I love these words Paul wrote

(and look for this as a blog post next week)

Galatians 1:10

Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.  If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. 

 

The key issues for the church in Galatia were.... 

1)  How do people become acceptable to God?

2) What do people need to do to earn God's favor?

3) How do people become members of God's family?

For Paul....the answer was simple....

There is nothing people can, or need to do!!!

ONLY CHRIST has already done what is needed to make people acceptable to God.  So....we should simply receive His gift....thank Him for what He has done for us....and trust in Him.

This is the verse of scripture that speaks to my heart about abortion.  That "fetus"....is a human being....a person....from the moment of conception:

Galatians 1:15

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace.

AMEN...and AMEN!!!

This verse is sooooo me.....

Galatians 3:3

How foolish can you be?

After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

Battlefield of the Mind

(have you read Joyce' Meyer's book?)

Galatians 5:17

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.  And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

Simply put....because Satan is trying his very best to keep us from doing anything good!!!

Here are the results of following the desires of our sinful nature....

~~~ sexual immorality

~~~impurity

~~~lustful pleasures

(I thought of my own problem with overeating)

~~~idolatry

~~~jealousy

~~~anger

~~~selfishness

~~~sorcery

~~~hostility

~~~quarreling

~~~division 

~~~envy

~~~drunkenness

~~~wild parties

.....and other sins

Here are the fruits of the Holy Spirit....

~~~love

~~~joy

~~~peace

~~~patience

~~~kindness

~~~goodness

~~~faithfulness

~~~gentleness

~~~self-control

(there's that problem with overeating again)

Galatians 5:25-26

Since we are living by the Spirit , let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.   

Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

If we see another believer overcome by some sin, we should GENTLY....and HUMBLY....help that person back onto the right path....and we should be careful not to fall into the same temptation ourselves.  We are supposed to share each others burdens....and we should NEVER think we're too important to help someone else!!

I love this verse for those people who like to be a "copy cat"....or as Pappy calls them...."mockingbirds"....

Galatians 6:4-5

Pay careful attention to your own work. for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.

For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

We're gonna reap what we sow....

Galatians 6:7b

You will always harvest what you plant.

Galatians 6:9

So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone....especially to those in the family of faith.

Paul closed his letter in his own handwriting using large letters (another indication regarding his poor eyesight).

Some people who are doing wrong try to get you to join in whatever they're doing to make themselves feel better....or to try to justify their own actions.

Galatians 6:14

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Because of that  cross, my interest in this world has been crucified and the world's interest in me has also died.

(this verse of scripture reminded me of the reason that I closed my Facebook account!!)

HOPE each of you have a great weekend!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!