Saved By Grace, Living By God’s Word

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KJB Daily DevotionFollowing Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Saturday, November 25, 2017
Chapters: Galatians 1-3
Message: Saved By Grace, Living By God’s Word

Hello My Friend,

There is and always has been a lot of controversy among Christians regarding the Old Testament, on the one side, it is said that it does not apply to us today because we are saved by grace, on the other side it is said that we have to live according to the Law after we are saved, including things like eating only clean animals. Well, here is the truth. While we are not, and I repeat are not, subject to living by the Law because we are saved by grace, that does not mean that God does not want us to live by some standard, and the only way we can learn how to live by His standard is by understanding the Law and what exactly relates to us, for example, following the ten commandments, these should be priority as they are all. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” – Romans 6:15-16.

The Book of Galatians contains six chapters, the author of this epistle is Paul and it was written to the believers of Galatia. Paul wrote this letter during his third trip to Corinth, around 60AD. The purpose of the letter was to correct the false teaching of Jewish legalism that got mixed in and was now a part of the Christian Church. What we are to learn from the book is that Christ ended the need to be justified by the law, we are justified by faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross, not by our own works. First and far most we must understand that there is only one Gospel to follow, and that is the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from 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. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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.– Galatians 1:1-8.

according to the will of God and our Father:God has one will for all He creates, and that is the first two commands He gave. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” – Exodus 20:3-6.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Do you realize that any change in the way the Gospel is presented creates another god? God only wants us to worship Him His way, and now that is through His Son. Justified; To prove or show to be just, or conformable to law. When admit we are a sinner, believe in the Gospel of Christ, and confess that we need Jesus to save us we are justified, conforming to the law of grace. Adding to the Gospel just one more thing actually creates another gospel and god, and this is what God is talking about, we are not to combine the works of the law with grace, under no circumstances. Even the apostles had a hard time comprehending that we are justified by faith alone. Paul even fussed at Peter for trying to combine from the law that all men need to be circumcised. Of course, this was one of those issues taken out of context.

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 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.– Galatians 2:11-16.

why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?Think about it, if the Jews, who saw the miracles that led to the law to begin with, could not follow the law, how could they expect the Gentiles to follow it. In this world of disbelief in a God they cannot see, how can they believe in a man who gave His life to redeem them bound for hell? You would be surprised on how many that cannot grasp that. Nevertheless, Jesus died for every soul, therefore, if a person believes in Christ, then why would they trust anyone telling them they need to follow a bunch of rules to keep their salvation? Paul fusses at the Galatians for bringing this in the church and reminds them of the promise that God gave Abraham.

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 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? 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 children of Abraham.– Galatians 3:1-7.

the same are the children of Abraham.This song comes to mind; “Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had father Abraham, I am one of them and do are you, so, let’s just praise the Lord!” We who believe in Christ are one of those children promised to Abraham, the only children to physically see Abraham on earth was Issac, Jacob, and Esau, but every day he meets more of his children in heaven. You see, we all have to believe in Christ, not just us born under the New Testament, but all who found favor in God. If a person truly wanted God in their life, they would believe in Christ, even if they were following the law. Those who love God go where He goes and do what He tells them to do, if He says that our salvation was paid for by His Son, and He alone is all that is needed for our redemption than we are to believe that and do it.

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. 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. 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: 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 3:10-14.

but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.While we are not under the law, once we get saved and allow Christ it live in and through us we automatically start conforming to His Son, and that includes following God’s standards that are contained in the Old Testament. What is the curse? Death and hell for our sin. We can give a big thanks to Jesus for making it so that we are no longer bound to that curse. Praise God! Does that mean we will never sin after we are saved? Of course not. Does that mean we are no longer saved if we do? Of course not! Does that mean we will always be in God’s will? Of course not. What it does mean is that we are under the law of grace, not of works, and that is sufficient enough to get us back on track whenever we do. “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” – James 4:5-6.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “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.” – Galatians 2:20.

Today’s Prayer: God, It is still unbelievable to think that we do not have to do anything to be saved except believe in and receive Your Son as our Saviour. Thank You, Jesus for making such a great sacrifice for us, we are not worthy to receive such a gift, but You offer it freely to anyone who comes to You by faith. Lord, as I live my life for You, keep me grounded in this truth, never let me fall into a false gospel, and never let me turn anyone down from knowing the truth. Let me be a witness and testimony of Your wonderful love and grace. I love You, Lord and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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