"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." (Ephesians 4:5-7)
Sadly, there are those who don't yet understand or distinguish the difference between the old and new covenants, and thus, end up trying to put the new wine into old flasks, and vice versa. This is why we are encouraged and instructed to study the scriptures for ourselves, as doth a workman unto God, so that we can know and discern Thy truth, and thus, ultimately, be set free. To this end, apostle Paul's writings to believers in Galatia has purpose.
"Stand fast therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)
What is that yoke of bondage? Good question!
Note that in writing unto the churches of Galatia. Paul first begins by telling them that he marvels that these are so soon removed from Him that called them into the grace of Christ -- unto another gospel -- which as Paul writes, "is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." So much so, that Paul writes "if we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9) Indeed, Paul presents this very same message twice.
"If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:9)
Why? Because the gospel that Paul preached is not after man, "for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12)
Paul continues, by saying -- "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish, having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? If [it be] yet in vain. He therefore that ministers to you in the Spirit, and works miracles among you, [doeth he it] by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Galatians 3:1-5)
And herein, the crux of the matter.
"Even as Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness, know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the SAME ARE the the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, "In thee shall all the nations be blessed, so then they which BE OF FAITH are blessed WITH faithful Abraham."
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." BUT, that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, "the just shall live by faith, and the Law is NOT of faith, but, "the man that doeth them shall live in them."
The good news? "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 hangs on a tree." That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:1-15)
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 -- for IF the inheritance be of the Law it is no more of promise, but God gave to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serve the Law? It was added because of transgressions TILL THE SEED SHOULD COME TO WHOM THE PROMISE WAS MADE; and it was ordained by the angels in the hand of a mediator." (Galatians 3:16-20)
Am I suggesting that the Law is against the promises of God? Of course not, or as Paul writes, "God forbid." But Paul's message does not stop there, and neither should our understanding of his whole message in its entirety. Indeed, continuing, "... for if there be a Law given which could have given life, verily, righteousness should have been by the Law. But the scripture hath concluded -- all under sin -- that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Galatians 3:16-22)
But before faith came, admittedly, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed -- thus, the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ -- THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Why? Because as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ ... and if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:23-29)
"For if ye be circumcised" -- under the Law, then "he is a debtor to do the whole Law and Christ is become of no effect unto you." (Galatians 5:2-3) Indeed, as Paul writes, Christ shall profit you nothing becuse "whosoever of you are justified by the Law, ye are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5:2-4)
Am I suggesting that the Law is against the promises of God? Of course not, or as Paul writes, "God forbid." But Paul's message does not stop there, and neither should our understanding of his whole message in its entirety. Indeed, continuing, "... for if there be a Law given which could have given life, verily, righteousness should have been by the Law. But the scripture hath concluded -- all under sin -- that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Galatians 3:16-22)
But before faith came, admittedly, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed -- thus, the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ -- THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Why? Because as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ ... and if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:23-29)
"For if ye be circumcised" -- under the Law, then "he is a debtor to do the whole Law and Christ is become of no effect unto you." (Galatians 5:2-3) Indeed, as Paul writes, Christ shall profit you nothing becuse "whosoever of you are justified by the Law, ye are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5:2-4)
Thus, don't let a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Don't those others who desire to rule over you mislead you from the good news gospel which God Himself declared unto you -- "from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ 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, to whom be glory for ever and ever, amen. (Galatians 1:1-4)
God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ as One -- who Himself according to the promise willingly gave Himself for our sins -- not "themselves" or "one apart from the other" as modern day religious dogma suggests. Rather, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
God our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
The same He that "was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
Therefore, let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teaches in all good things ... and as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith. And, in so doing, stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage!
Stand in the offering plate.
God our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
The same He that "was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
Therefore, let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teaches in all good things ... and as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith. And, in so doing, stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage!
Stand in the offering plate.
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