Welcome to The Bible in Three, a podcast where we discuss 3 Things About the Bible in about three minutes. Today we’re explored Galatians 6:14. This is my friend Gene’s favorite verse and I think it’s a beautiful verse, too!
ONE—The Background
Paul wrote his letter to the believers living in Galatia because Jewish believers were telling the Gentile believers that faith in Jesus was not enough. They were mixing in the Jewish faith and traditions with Christianity creating a big mess called legalism.
TWO—The Breakdown
Paul starts his letter by defending his apostleship. He’s been accused of being a man pleaser and he has to set his hearers straight. He’s not trying to please men but show that the way to God is by grace through faith not works. Believers are justified through what Christ did on the cross and they are sanctified not because of the laws they keep but in the way the Holy Spirit empowers them to daily model their lives after Jesus.
THREE—The Bite-sized Truth
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.
Practical Application: I had a professor say that “the guiding principle of the Christian life is not the law, but the Spirit. And the power for living the Christian life is through the Holy Spirit.” In other words, being a follower of Christ is a work of Christ. This transformation is not something we can boast about unless it is to boast of the cross of Jesus Christ. And that’s what Paul is saying to the people of Galatia and we can take it to heart as well. Being a Christian is not a checklists of do’s and don’t’s but rather a daily response to what Christ has done in our lives.
May be boast again and again about the great work Christ did on the cross for us.
Here are some more resources to dig deeper.
Local Church— Being plugged into a church that prioritizes the reading and understanding of scripture is pretty important. For some that may be a pretty big ask due to previous hurt within this space. If that’s you, take your time and pray for God to lead you to the right space. But know that being in community with other faithful and mature believers is what God intended for his people. I’ll be praying with you for that community as well!
Traveling with the Father my friend Christine has a podcast with 3–5 minute devotionals that connects every day life to the truth of Scripture. You’ll love her soothing voice and beautiful honesty.
The Focused 15 Challenge My friend Jennifer has a 5 day challenge for creating a space for growing your faith.
YouVersion Bible App I love this resource because you can read the Bible in multiple versions as well as start reading plans that are as short as a few days or as long as an entire year.
Bible In Three I also have a few more resources for the entire family on my website!
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