Last week, we saw how believers are a battlefield, with both flesh and the Spirit warring within them.
Read moreHow to Win the War Within (Galatians 5:16-18)
How to Win the War Within
Galatians 5:16-18
The Gospel Starts a War Within (Galatians 5:16-18)
The Gospel Starts a War Within
Galatians 5:16-18
When I was a boy, it took my family a little while to realize I was left-handed. One of my earliest memories is of an interchange with my paternal grandfather. He had bought me my first baseball glove, but since it was for right-handed throwers, it sat on my left hand. But when thrown a ball, I would both catch and throw it with my gloved left hand.
Read moreReject Anti-Gospels (Galatians 4:21-26)
Reject Anti-Gospels
Galatians 4:21-26
At this point in Galatians, Paul decided to cap his scriptural defense of the gospel of grace with a story from Scripture. [1] Paul was shocked that some in the Galatian church contemplated living under the law, after receiving Christ's gospel (21). They were not listening to the demanding nature of the law (21). And Paul could not understand why they wanted to rely on it for their standing with God.
Read moreWhat We Are After the Gospel (Galatians 3:23–29)
What We Are After the Gospel
Galatians 3:23–29
Before placing our faith in Christ, we were imprisoned and guarded, as we saw in last week’s article. Let’s also think about what we become after placing our faith in Christ. What does faith in the gospel do to us?
Read moreWhat We Were Before the Gospel (Galatians 3:23–29)
What We Were Before the Gospel
Galatians 3:23–29
In this passage, Paul will tell us what faith in the gospel does to us. When we truly believe, what happens to us? Paul will explain it to us in fairly radical terms, first by telling us what we were (the bad news) and then by telling us what we are (the good news). So, let us look first at what we were.
Read moreGospel Blessing: Christ Was Cursed for Us (Galatians 3:10–14)
Gospel Blessing: Christ Was Cursed for Us
Galatians 3:10-14
Last week, we began looking at how the gospel transfers us from curse to blessing, the first way being that it promotes the way of faith. The second reason the gospel transfers us from curse to blessing is that Christ was cursed for us. This is what we must believe. For this point, Paul again quotes from Deuteronomy. He wrote:
Read moreThe Gospel of Grace Promotes the Way of Faith (Galatians 3:10-14)
The Gospel of Grace Promotes the Way of Faith
Galatians 3:10-14
How can someone enjoy and experience God? How can we become fully human as God intended? How can we be released from paralyzing guilt and shame? How can we attain abundant life? How can we be free?
Read moreThe Gospel Is Versatile, Not Rigid (Galatians 2:6-10)
The Gospel Is Versatile, Not Rigid
Galatians 2:6-10
In our final segment of Galatians 2:1-10, we learn that the beautiful, acceptable gospel is versatile, not rigid.
Read moreConcluding the Book of Mark (Mark 16:17-20)
Concluding the Book of Mark
Mark 16:17-20
Let's be honest. This passage is likely why many wonder if this should be included in Mark's gospel (see my explanation about this disputed text in last week’s post). Many of us see things like demons, tongues, invincibly picking up snakes, and drinking poison, and run the other way.
Read moreJesus’ Parting Words to the Disciples and Us (Mark 16:15-20)
Jesus’ Parting Words to the Disciples and Us
Mark 16:15-20
Before we jump into our final text of Mark, we have to address the notation in many of our Bibles suggesting that the final twelve verses might not be in the original text.
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