Good Morning!
We ended the previous email with the following verse in Galatians 2:20-21:
"...and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
the life I now live in the flesh,
I live by Faith in the Son of God,
Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
I do NOT set aside the grace of God;
for if righteousness comes through the law,
then Christ died for nothing."
As a believer in Jesus Christ, it is NOT you who lives but it is Jesus who lives. Your life is lived by FAITH and not by sight. What you do needs to reflect your FAITH and NOT your FLESH.
Decisions you make in your life are based upon your Faith...NOT your flesh. You "do NOT set aside the Grace of God" and do something because it feels good or it feels right. I was raised in the "If it feels good, do it" generation which has led to this generation of more lawlessness and fleshly living. We are seeing a nation that is living based on their own fleshly desires rather than trusting in Christ by Faith. AND, if they don't get their way they will fight and destroy whatever they can to get it. Then there are good people...Godly people even...who will sink into their own fears and allow it to happen.
The issue during the writing of Galatians was whether Gentiles could get to heaven without going through the law. Could Gentiles get to heaven based on Faith and NOT flesh? The answer was "Yes." Peter was one of those sinking back into spiritual oblivion allowing those who were forcing the Gentiles into a Gospel of Law and NOT a Gospel of Faith-based solely on what Jesus did by dying for us. Paul's reaction is rather forceful. Read 3:1-5:
"You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified?
2 I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?
3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?
4 Did you suffer so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing?
5 So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?"
These are rhetorical questions. There is an obvious answer to every question. In other words, Paul was saying that if you answer any of the questions with a fleshly answer...YOU ARE WRONG! He called them "Foolish" on two occasions. Today we may call them "Knuckleheads."
He brings up a couple of issues.
"Did someone hypnotize you?" Are you listening to other opinions that are foolish and wrong and accepting them as truth? We have a lot of that going around today. A lot of people with a lot of opinions that are based on flesh...not Faith. that's always been a problem, but, people who claim to be believers are buying into it and it does NOT please God.
"Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by Faith?" Did the spirit in you come by the works of the law or did it come by your Faith in Jesus? Remember, Satan has spirits for you to follow as well.
"You started with the Spirit...Are you now going to finish with the flesh?" One thought: Let the Spirit of God complete His work in you. Runaway from other spirits who desire to control you.
"Are the miracles that God works among you from the law or by Faith?" God gave the law. He is NOT bound by the law. He works miracles without the boundaries of the law. He is God! He works among us by Faith. He loves our Faith. He responds to our Faith. He blesses us through our Faith. The law is inferior to our Faith in God.
Sure...we are living in a nation that trusts in their flesh more than their Faith. I know the time of the return of Christ is moving swiftly toward us. With every decision our nation makes...I see it more vividly. Our recent fleshly decisions will move us even more quickly to that end.
Here's the real scenario. The closer we get to Christ's return...the more erosion we will face. BUT...we are not discouraged because God is in control. He holds us in His hand securely. So, don't live by feelings...live by Faith. Don't rely on the law...rely on your Faith in Jesus. Don't be hypnotized by the clever speeches of other humans who claim they know the answer for your life...Be Faithful to the words of Christ and the leading of His spirit in your life.
I leave you with these words from Jesus:
"My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
30 The Father and I are one." John 10:27-30
May God Bless You!
Don Betts
DBEA/campus320
DBEAWINNING.COM
TO GOD BE ALL GLORY!