April 16, 2008
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In his letter to the Galatians, Paul expressed amazement that they had abandoned what they’d been taught “for a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6). They had been taught the true Gospel-a life with the fullness of the life of Christ (Galatians 2:22) that could be experienced by anyone (Galatians 3:28) …a life of freedom (Galatians 5:1)…a life of walking in the Spirit, with His fruit and gifts (Galatians 5:16-25).
As Paul began this letter, he reminded the Galatians that Jesus “gave Himself for our sins.” Why? So He could “rescue” us. Paul used a Greek word he never used again in all of his writings. Literally, he said that it was God’s will that we be taken out “from this present evil age.” Set free! Released! Delivered!
Many Christians make the same kind of mistakes that plagued the Galatians. They accept a life of compromise and are content with an attitude of survival-not victory or abundance, but a life filled with burdens and cares. This is not God’s intention. It is His “will” that we be rescued from this present evil age. God wants us to live in victory, not defeat, and to be free, not bound or overwhelmed with burdens.
I listened to what President Bush wants to talk to the Pope about. It’s accept all faiths, including the muslem. Has Christianity gotten so polluted that we will say all roads lead to heaven? There is only one way to Heaven – Jesus.
Kristina – Getting married in August.
Comments (10)
I love Paul! He is my favorite person from the Bible, underneath Jesus of course.
Thanks for the reminder. Unfortunately we get so caught up in the world, that those feelings on content can either stay or we tend to want something more (materalistic wise, etc).
We always have to remember to spread God’s love and always persevere. And yes, some of the views Christianity has, is so, so clouded. People began “mixing” all these different religions and claim it all to be the same thing, when it’s not. Yep, yep, one way to heaven, that’s through Jesus. John 14:6.
Have a great day!
I think the Pope is trying to please everyone but is not making much sense to me.
@jillcarmel - I believe you are right. Peace at any cost isn’t true peace.
we can accept all religions that isn’t kill other religions and those are the one going to heaven.
But in view he just want to keep peace which isn’t going well with the killers whom want to conquer it all.
I would guess president Bush of all people has to be very politically correct when greeting any religious figure. I guess he should focus on the blessing we have in America of religious freedom. I was happy to listen to the president speak this morning and articulate real American values which are in line with our Chrisian faith.
@thankee - I think Paul Harvey said it best when he said that America should go back to being an example instead of an influence. Years ago the US built up itself and people wanted to be like us. Now we influence by sending money instead of example. -according to Paul.
I didn’t hear it, so really have little to say about it.
Kristina is going to make someone very happy.
We are a nation that wants the most out of something with very little cost. It has spoiled us and we have become lazy. We may work hard at certain things, but faith is not one of them. It requires time, effort, and the pain of letting go of your “stuff”…..going through the pain of God tearing you away from what you’ve tried to be and reshaping you into what He intended you to be. Most people expect God to do all the work and to just instantly change them, change the country, and blah blah…..but the truth is that He wants us to run with him HARD. He wants us to become smarter, wiser, bolder, and to question ourselves in comparison to Him. We have to truly go after the truth with every fiber of our being, not just going to church and reading our Bibles…..it isn’t good enough anymore.
The more I look at it, the more I just see a nation of Christians asleep at the wheel. It makes me think about how Jesus differed so much from the Pharisees, the religous leaders of the day, and he essentially shoved it in their face that they had twisted the truth so far from what it really was. Having several different ways of getting to Heaven is like trying to get different answers from 2 + 2; there is only one answer, 5,9, and 23 don’t work.
“Lord Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.” St. Paul is a really good preacher. My favorite is St. John.. God bless!
@Randy7777 - I really like what Paul Harvey had to say. I like it when someone cuts through everything and makes it simple. That is a good idea for us individuals too! Be an example…. not an influence! But you know I bet being an example will automatically cause us to be an influence too! Goes to the motive of the heart again…