miserable means

Posted on August 3, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
repairing a car

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

Galatians 6:17-18 (JDV)

Galatians 6:17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I am bearing on my body the marks of Jesus.

Galatians 6:18 Brothers, the favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your breath. Amen.

miserable means

I am not sure if Paul was referring to the persecutions and difficulties he faced in his missionary work (shipwrecks and the like) when he said he was bearing the marks of Jesus. He may have been referring to the betrayal and abandonment he was feeling because of the way the congregations in Galatia had turned against him. Either way, we would have to agree that it was not right. A seasoned missionary should not have to endure such misery.

But what if these troubles had never happened? If Paul had always experienced victory in his church planting and development, we would not have these epistles. They were born out of trouble. And they have provided all of us with valuable insights about God’s design for his people in this age.

When we encounter things in our lives that are not working out right, we need to keep in mind that God’s plan includes them as well. We should be open to being taught – even through miserable means.

Posted in discipleship, persecution, suffering | Tagged | Leave a comment

what matters instead

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
five person holding hands over socket plates

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Galatians 6:11-16 (JDV)

Galatians 6:11 See what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

Galatians 6:12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh – these would force you to be circumcised– but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:13 You see, even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh.

Galatians 6:14 But my boasting is not going to happen except about the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me by it, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:15 You see, neither being circumcised nor not being circumcised mean anything; what matters instead is a new creation.

Galatians 6:16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel of God!

what matters instead

It is very difficult to apply the principles Paul taught in Galatians. It is much easier to debate whether this or that practice is biblical than it is to live in the new creation reality. But in the end, it is the new creation reality that will make a difference, both in our individual lives, and among our congregations.

Living in the new creation reality at least means allowing others to have different priorities, without disfellowshipping them. We have to stand strongly for the essentials, and allow for diversity in the non-essentials. But we also should have the liberty to discuss and admonish one another even on the non-essentials.

For Paul, the cross of Christ, and the new creation it brought to believers – these were essentials. May that always be the case with us.

Posted in divisions, unity | Tagged | Leave a comment

planting to harvest life

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
young tomato

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

Galatians 6:6-10 (JDV)

Galatians 6:6 Let the one who is instructed in the word share all his good things with the instructor.

Galatians 6:7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a human plants he will also harvest,

Galatians 6:8 because the one who plants to his flesh will harvest destruction from the flesh, but the one who plants to the Breath will harvest permanent1 life from the Breath.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not get tired of doing good, because we will harvest at the appropriate season if we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, since we have a season, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.

planting to harvest life

The Sacred Breath who comes into us at our conversion is a deposit, guaranteeing the permanent life which we will harvest at the appropriate season. When is that appropriate season? It is resurrection day – the last day, when Jesus returns.

The heretical cult trying to change the Galatians had taught them that good works were essential to individual salvation. Paul and his team urged the Galatians to stop thinking of good works that way. Instead, good works are a means of showing appreciation toward those who have shared the gospel with you. Also, they are a planting of like kind. The Sacred Breath brings us spiritual life. Operating our lives in such a way as to produce the fruit of the Breath (working for the good of all) is an investment in the same future.

The alternative (even if you are in the visible church) is planting to your flesh. The end result of that kind of planting is destruction. So Paul and his team encouraged the Galatians to plant the right thing, so that their harvest would be life, not destruction and death.

Lord, give us the wisdom to plant for a harvest of life.

1αἰώνιος

Posted in destruction in hell, eternal life, future, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

weight lifting

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
photography of women carrying cinder blocks

Photo by Artem Bali on Pexels.com

Galatians 6:1-5 (JDV)

Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if a human is overtaken in any violation,1 you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.

Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s weights; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:3 You see, if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he cheats his own mind.2

Galatians 6:4 Let each person evaluate3 his own achievement, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else

Galatians 6:5 because each person will have to carry his own load.

weight lifting

A few months ago my son-in-law had a major household renovation project going, and I asked to help. One of the things he had to do was bring several large bins full of crushed rock into the back deck where he would use them to make a foundation for the new deck. The bins were incredibly heavy, so I suggested a wheel barrow to transport them. The hardest part was getting the bins from the car to the wheel barrow. Between the two of us, we did it, but I put a bit of strain on my left knee. Talking about it at work that night, a co-worker suggested I had made a mistake. Well – yes, it was too heavy a job for me to do. But it was not a mistake, because I appreciate my son-in-law, and I want to help him wherever I can.

Paul’s use of weight lifting as a metaphor here is interesting. At first glance, it seems a contradiction to tell the Galatians to carry one another’s weights (verse 2) because each will have to carry his own load (verse 5). But the fact is, each of us does have a load to carry. That’s why we need each other’s support. Only by working together can we all finish well.

Lord, open our eyes to the ways we can help each other live free from the heavy burdens we have to carry.

1παράπτωμα

2φρεναπατάω

3δοκιμάζω

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in consideration of others, discipleship, ministry, partnership | Tagged | Leave a comment

fruit of the Breath

Posted on July 30, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
sliced fruits on tray

Photo by Trang Doan on Pexels.com

Galatians 5:22-26 (JDV)

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Breath is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Galatians 5:23 gentleness, and self-mastery. There is no law against such things.

Galatians 5:24 But those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its sufferings and cravings.

Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Breath, let us also keep in step with the Breath.

Galatians 5:26 Let us not become egocentric, provoking one another, envying one another.

fruit of the Breath

This is another instance where the Bible uses resurrection metaphor, but it is often missed because we tend to use Spirit for translating πνεῦμα, rather than Breath. What Paul is getting at is that the Galatian Christians were dead in their sins, and the Sacred Breath (Holy Spirit) breathed new life into them. Their old lives achieved the achievements of the flesh (mentioned in yesterday’s text). Their new lives in Christ produce the fruit of the Breath: the character of godliness.

The heretical cult trying to take over the Galatian congregation were pushing for them to become entangled in an achievement based religion. Paul and his team encouraged the Galatians to reject that heresy, and concentrate on keeping in step with the breath that made them alive.

Lord, keep us constantly aware of the new life you breathed into us. May we keep in step with your Breath, and allow him to produce his fruit through us.

Posted in discipleship, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, patience, peace, resurrection, self-control, the flesh | Tagged | Leave a comment

an insult sandwich

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
burger with sliced vegetables

Photo by Rajesh TP on Pexels.com

Galatians 5:19-21 (JDV)

Galatians 5:19 Now the achievements of the flesh are obvious: whatever results in sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,

Galatians 5:20 idolatry, alternative spiritual experiences,1 hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish passions, dissensions, heretical cults,2

Galatians 5:21 envy, drunkenness, excessive partying, and anything like these. I am warning you about these things– as I warned you before– that those who are practicing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

an insult sandwich

When I was growing up in the Southern United States, KKK stood for Klu Klux Klan, a racist organization bent on controlling and terrorizing blacks. But when I went to the Philippines, I discovered that they use the same three letters for an approach to telling someone what they don’t want to hear. KKK stands for kiss, kick, kiss. You soften the blow by sandwiching an insult between two praises.

That appears to be how Paul is operating in this passage. He is condemning some of the specific traits of verse 20 which are associated with the Judaizing heresy which is trying to take over the congregations in Galatia. He lists the traits of verses 19 and 21 because the Galatians think they are beyond those problems.

Paul’s point is that they are all results of walking according to the same flesh. If you want to live the resurrection life, you need to put all that stuff to death.

Lord, you have brought us to new life by your Sacred Breath. Show us how to live consistently according to that new life.

1φαρμακεία

2αἵρεσις

Posted in discipleship, envy, Holy Spirit, sin | Tagged | Leave a comment

animation, not stagnation

Posted on July 28, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
person performing cpr on dummy

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Galatians 5:16-18 (JDV)

Galatians 5:16 But I am saying, walk by the Breath and you will certainly not carry out the cravings1 of the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 You see, the flesh craves2 what is against the Breath, and the Breath what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do the things you want to do.

Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Breath, you are not under a law.

animation, not stagnation

I don’t like the word Spirit for πνεῦμα because it leads people to think in terms of possession by a ghost. That is not at all what Paul is getting at. Paul uses πνεῦμα as a means of animation, not possession. It is in passages like this one that we see the contrast. The flesh and the Breath are both necessary for new life, but the flesh is used to being dead, so it wants to stay dead. So, in the case of the Galatians, they tended to fall back on superstition and legalism because that is what they know. The heretics come along and tell them they need to follow the Jewish traditions, and they believe it, because that is what the flesh craves. But the new life within them craves freedom. They did not come to life by following a human tradition, they cannot walk in newness of life that way. Human tradition leads to stagnation. God’s Breath gives animation.

Lord, thank you for the new life you have given us by your fresh Breath of resurrection power. Lead us by that new life, and keep us from falling back into the old death.

1ἐπιθυμία

2ἐπιθυμέω

Posted in discipleship, Holy Spirit | Tagged | Leave a comment

against

Posted on July 27, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
war chess

Photo by Gladson Xavier on Pexels.com

Galatians 5:13-15 (JDV)

Galatians 5:13 For you were invited to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another by love.

Galatians 5:14 You see, the whole law is fulfilled in one word: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Galatians 5:15 But if you are biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be obliterated by one another.

against

In Galatia, a new theology had been introduced that turned the congregations against one another, took away the believers’ freedom in Christ, and made it impossible for them to serve one another by love. This new theology was working against the gospel instead of promoting it. One of the reasons the Lord gave us this book in scripture is that the same thing can happen today. When we start biting and devouring, something has gone wrong.

Lord, make us experts in your word, not so that we can win against our theological opponents, but so we can champion your gospel and demonstrate its truth by loving one another.

Posted in discipleship, gospel, love | Tagged | Leave a comment

interrupted race, defiled loaf

Posted on July 26, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
action athlete blur close up

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Galatians 5:7-12 (JDV)

Galatians 5:7 You were running well. Who interrupted your being persuaded about truth?

Galatians 5:8 This persuasion does not come from your inviter.

Galatians 5:9 A little fermented dough contaminates the whole batch of dough.

Galatians 5:10 I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is disturbing you will pay the penalty.

Galatians 5:11 Now brothers, if I were still preaching being circumcised, why am I still persecuted? In that case the trap of the cross has been eliminated.

Galatians 5:12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be castrated!

interrupted race, defiled loaf

Paul shows his frustration with the group of heretics who are throwing the Galatian congregations into confusion. He expresses what is going on by describing it as an interrupted race. The goal of the race is not some new tidbit of truth. The believers in this region are trying to become persuaded of the truth they were already taught. This new additional teaching of the heretics was interrupting their progress.

It was doing more than that. Paul changed his metaphor to express the fact that the new teaching was defiling the congregation just like fermented dough permeates and changes the loaf. If left unchecked, the result will be a congregation of lost souls.

Lord, give us discernment, and a strong desire to run toward truth, not away from it.

Posted in discernment, discipleship, heresies, truth | Tagged | Leave a comment

the things that matter

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Jefferson Vann
man in blue suit

Photo by The Lazy Artist Gallery on Pexels.com

Galatians 5:1-6 (JDV)

Galatians 5:1 Christ set us free so we could experience freedom. Stand stable then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:2 See! I, Paul, am saying to you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not be of benefit to you at all.

Galatians 5:3 Once more I testify to every human who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law.

Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from favor.

Galatians 5:5 You see, we eagerly await through the Breath, by faith, the hope of righteousness

Galatians 5:6 because in Christ Jesus neither being circumcised nor not being uncircumcised accomplishes anything; what matters is faith achieving things by love.

the things that matter

The Sacred Breath (Holy Spirit) has come into us, and given us new life. We have no need to go back to the dead letter – which could only accentuate our need for Christ. If we try to be justified any other way, it would alienate us from Christ. The achievements which matter are the ones achieved in faith by acts of love.

Lord, thank you for the new life we have. Thank you that we never need rely on the dead letter to do the things that matter.

Posted in faith, grace, love, works | Tagged | Leave a comment