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Galatians Part VII

My Notes from Chapter 6. This will finish out my series on the Book of Galatians.  Let me say that in all my years of preaching I never felt closer to God in the pulpit then when I preached these lessons.   The notes only reflect a small part of what I actually said verbally and what struck me as so amazing was how incredible I felt because something in me was testifying to the truth of which I spoke of.  Unfortunately this series was also probably my undoing as it caused a lot of unrest among my people.  I believe it was during this series that I openly embraced the idea of Gay couples being accepted and loved unconditionally.  It was shortly after I preached this series that I invited Mike Williams to come and hold the first and last Grace Gathering at the Straughn Community Chapel.  He was nothing short of amazing and even though with that gathering brought much pain in my life, it was only the pain of REBIRTH.  For the first time in my life when I left organized religion shortly after that gathering I felt like a NEW TYPE OF HUMAN.    I know some will argue with me on this (and that’s OK) but I am convinced you can not truly fully experience the NEW BIRTH until you leave organized religion.  There is just too much self righteousness in church settings for one to fully embrace the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF JESUS.

BLESSING TO ALL MY BEAUTIFUL FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS.

Who does Paul says needs restored?
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
 
The context has been clearly people who were reverting back to law, and they needed restored back to the gospel message of unconditional love based on what Christ did rather then what we can’t do. PETER IS THE EXAMPLE PAUL IS TALKING ABOUT. And Barnabus fell right in with Peter.
 
And when we restore such we must be very careful lest we are tempted (To DO WHAT?) IS IT NOT THE TEMPTATION TO BE SELF RIGHTEOUS WHICH IS UNBELIEF?
 
The brother who is overtaken is the brother who is no longer walking in the spirit but is walking in the law which condemns.
 
There is only one law I want to follow, the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
 
He didn’t say "Keep each other straight", or Make sure everyone is faithful, He said Bear one another’s burdens and fulfill the law of Christ—LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS CHRIST LOVED YOU. And just how did he love us? By total and complete forgiveness before we ever did the first thing to deserve it.
 
Verse 3—Isn’t he talking about self righteousness through obeying the law? If you are doing that you are deceiving yourself.
 
Where should our rejoicing be?
Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
 
When you do good deeds let it be done as something that is done freely not expecting anything in return—there is where real joy is found. Do what you do for no other reason then it fulfills something inside of you. 
 
And in this type of work it has nothing to do with anyone else—it is my burden & my Joy!

Luke 6:27-37
27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ do that. 
34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ lend to ’sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full.
35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

I DON’T EXPECT TO GO TO HEAVEN.  I DON’T EXPECT ANYTHING IN RETURN FOR LOVE I GIVE THAT WAS NOT MY LOVE TO START WITH.  I GIVE ONLY WHAT I HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED.
Paul concludes with Sowing & Reaping.
Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. 
Verse 8 talks about our choices–Sow to the Flesh or Sow to the Spirit?
Sow to the flesh = serving the law to get your flesh right with God.
Sow to the Spirit = believing God has made you righteous through the finished work of the cross by the faith of Jesus.
 

How do I know he’s talking about Law-Flesh? Look at vers 12-14

Verse 15 describes where I am today……..simply realizing that Circumcision (the law) or uncircimcision (without law) has no bearing on my new relationship with the Father (new creature) because the only thing that caused that to happen was JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, PLUS NOTHING.

I WILL NEVER AGAIN BOAST IN MY RIGHTEOUS ACTS, MY BELIEFS, OR MY STANDING IN THE CHURCH.  I WILL BOAST IN JESUS.

Posted by Cliff on Aug 23rd 2008 | Filed in Thoughts, Cliff, Contributors | Comments (6)

Galatians Part VI

My notes from chapter 5.

Where will you Stand?
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
 
We can stand in the liberty that Christ set us free for—–AND JUST WHAT IS THAT?
By the context of what Paul had just said, it is freedom from the thought that I must live up to the standard of the law in order to be right with God.
2 Cor 3:1-9
 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.
3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.
5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant- — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was,
8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!
2 Cor 3:10-18
10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.
11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away.
14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.
15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
 
Does Our Belief’s Matter?
Galatians 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
 
When ever Paul is talking about our actions, our beliefs, or how we choose to live he is talking about the here and now, and of course what we believe does matter!!!!!!!!!
 
In verses 2 & 3 he is making it abundantly clear that following the law makes Christ of no use to us in the flesh. And we should clarify—(following the law to be right with God). 
 
What is Falling From Grace?
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
 
We have always been taught that falling from grace was going back to a life of sin a debauchery, but Paul is saying here that falling from grace is going back to legalism. The thinking that you can be justified by following law.
When you do that you leave the peacfulness of grace and enter back into the realm of condemnation.
 
Through The Spirit - Not The Flesh.
Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
It is in our spirit that the truth of this gospel will resonate—In the flesh nothing will get us this hope, but the FAITH of JESUS working by his perfect love is our HOPE, and it is that FAITH that speaks to our inward man.
To Run Well I Must Lose the Weight!
Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
 
I know full well what allows me to run well up and down the basketball court—less weight. Paul aludes to the same thing here. The Galations had picked up some dead weight that was hindering them from running well—it was the LAW—verse 11
Verse 10–bear his judgement. When you go back under law-you will bear its judgement on you.   Do you really want to do that?
Verse 9 says even a little leaven will leaventh the whole lump—does that mean a little Law?
Jesus said beware of the leven of the Pharisees.
 
Serve by Love Not by Law!
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
What is the difference in serving my neighbor by love or by law? One is done freely, the other is done because you think you have to. Giving an occastion to the flesh is trying to get right with God through your flesh.–not sex, drugs & rock & roll.
Now if you are serving your neighbor by law why would you think you have to? Fear of punishment? What if by love? Because you want to without fear?
Are you led of the Spirit or of the law?
Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
 
Lust of the flesh is connected directly to choosing to be under law to be right with God,    And what happens to those who choose law—they bite and devour one another. (Sound Familiar?)
But to be led of the Spirit is to be led to the righteousness that Jesus Christ secured for every human being at the cross, and if you are led by the spirit you are not under law.
The Works of the Flesh—under law
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
 
All of the above are violations of the law—ARE YOU GUILTY?   What about "Such Like"?
Gal 3:10
10 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.
And under the law no one can enter into the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Gal 1:13
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Gal 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
IN TIME PAST was referring to when he was in the Jews’ religion.
Is the Fruit of the Spirit really MINE?
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
In these verses he takes us to life without law.   He takes us to a place where we see what God really is—-He is love, he is joy, he is peace, he is longsuffering, he is gentle, he is goodness, he is the faith, he is the meekness (in control), he is temperant—-and against such there is NO LAW.
IT’S WHAT GOD HAS TOWARD US NOT WHAT WE HAVE TOWARD EACH OTHER.
This is how God relates to us now for the rest of our lives, and also every human being that will ever live.
2 Cor 3:18
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Verse 26—what should we not be desirous of? VAIN GLORY, provoking one another, envying one another.

When you choose to be led by the law there WILL be vain glory!  You will be completely overwelmed with the desire to be self righteous—–which is another description of VAIN GLORY.

IT STILL AMAZES ME HOW MANY WELL MEANING CHRISTIANS CHOOSE A LIFE OF LAW RATHER THEN FREEDOM.  WHEN YOU CHOOSE LAW YOU GIVE UP YOUR PEACE BUT NOT YOUR GRACE.   GRACE IS ALWAYS OURS WHETHER WE KNOW IT OR NOT.

 

Posted by Cliff on Aug 17th 2008 | Filed in Thoughts, Cliff, Contributors | Comments (7)

Galatians Part V

Who is most likely "NOT" to know God?
Galatians 4:8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.
 
Paul was talking about people who had been completely under the bondage of the law—religious people who thought they knew God but were completely oblivious.
 
How does God know us now?
Galatians 4:9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
 
God knows us now through Christ and not the law. And Paul labored to help them see what God sees. We are known by God only through the righteousness of Christ. It is by the faith OF Christ as a result of God taking complete control over our redemption.
Phil 3:9
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
 
And now I labor to help you see what God sees—that you have a righteousness, which is not of the law or personal performance: you have a righteousness which is of God through the faith of Christ.
 
 
Why Did Paul ask People to be like HIM?
I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.
 
He could do this because he never pointed to himself but always to Christ. Those who claim they have the answers are the ones to be wary of.
But when someone points to Jesus and Jesus only that is a person to listen to.
 
Real blessedness should be found in the church.
Galatians 4:13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
 
Paul says they had it but now it was gone, and why? Because they were turning back to the law. Show me a church steeped in law and I will show you a church devoid of blessedness.
 
Should telling the truth make one an enemy?
Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
 
It made Paul an enemy and it will make you an enemy of those who practice law today!
 
Does your church exclude or include?
Galatians 4:17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.
18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.
 
I am not against people going to church. And if you are looking for one make sure that it is a place where everyone is included. You might find that to be a rare place.
 
Paul shows us how easy it is to go backward.
Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
 
This is why we need each other. It is so easy to slide back into old bad habits believing that God could not love us unless we live a certain way. Which leads to failing, which leads to mistrusting God………etc.
We break the cycle when Christ becomes our life and we see that life in everyone and everything.
 
The story of Isaac & Ishmael
Galatians 4:21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,
24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar — 
25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children — 
26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written: "Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband." 
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman." 
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
In the above verses Paul ends the fourth chapter with a clear understanding of the difference in the old way vs the new way.
 
Ishmael represented the Old way. He was the son born according to the flesh. Abraham and his wife did not trust God and decided God couldn’t accomplish his promise to them without their help. That’s called “Self Righteousness”. Of course God did not need their help to bring them the promised son Isaac. Neither Isaac’s performance, righteousness, faith, nor anything else from him had ANYTHING WHATSOEVER to do with his birth.   AND SO IT IS WITH US.
 
As verse 31 says, “So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.” 
 
We are children of the FREE!!!!!!!   Jesus says the same basic thing in John. Listen:
    
John 3:6-8 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit  gives birth to spirit.
You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
THE SPIRIT GIVES BIRTH TO spirit. We can’t cause it, we can’t see it happen, I don’t even think we can truly comprehend what it really means, BUT IT STILL HAS HAPPENED TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US, whether we know it or not.  It happened on that beautiful CROSS when Jesus was raised from the dead giving birth to an entirely new Human Race, free from sin and the law that defines it. 
 
I AM SO GLAD THAT WE HAVE A CREATOR THAT TRULY CAN BE COUNTED ON TO RESCUE US ALL FROM OUR LIVES OF ILLUSION & PAIN.
 

Rom 8:31-39  What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

More Later

Posted by Cliff on Aug 9th 2008 | Filed in Thoughts, Cliff | Comments (3)

Neither Do I Condemn You!

Due to a conversation I recently had with someone I am reposting this that I wrote in April of 2007.

The title to this post are the words of Jesus in the story of the woman caught in adultery. 

John 8:1-11  1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.  But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.  9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  11 ”No one, sir,” she said.  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

This story has profound meaning to every single person of the human race because we are ALL this woman.  Who among us has not been caught in adultery?  Adultery is simply unfaithfulness and I am convinced that God wants us all to relate to this woman in a very real way.  We are HER!  No one is left out.  No one has been faithful.  Who is it among us that feels justified in condemning another soul?

Now if we are HER, then who do the teachers of the law and the Pharisees represent in this story?  Again it is US.  You see we are not only unfaithful but we are also very good at averting our own guilt by trying to shine the light on someone else that we think is more guilty.

Jesus is the truthmaster in this story and he is not about to buy into this game that humans play of seeing who is most guilty of violating the law.  Paul the apostle would later tell us that if you rely on the law that you must keep all the law.

Gal 3:1010 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.

Just what message is Christ trying to get across in this story?  He tells them that “he that is without sin can cast the first stone.”  He writes something in the sand that makes every single person walk away from their position of judgment, and then he asks the woman if there was anyone left to condemn her?  When she answers “there is no one”, He then tells her that neither does he condemn her.

I don’t remember her asking for forgiveness or even confessing her belief in Him?  In this story there are not multiple characters, it is just US. 

We are the woman in adultery, we are the teachers of the law, we are the Pharisees, and WE ARE THE FORGIVEN.

Does God want us to continue a life of sin?  NO, and he even tells us that, but he also doesn’t want us to continue with the false notion that some of us are the faithful worthy of his love, and some of us are the unfaithful worthy of His condemnation. 

WE ARE ALL FORGIVEN.  Put down your stones and leave your lives of sin, and bask in the beauty of His unconditional love.  It is only when we see ourselves as one human race, created and loved by our Father from the very beginning that we can enjoy real peace.  As long as you see your self as superior you can never know this peace at least in the hear and now.  God will eventually show us all that we are indeed ONE. 

The bottom line for me is not only to hear these words of Jesus “NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU”, but also to let them be my cry to all my fellow travelers on this earth.  I have put my stones down and have welcomed His love into my heart.  It is beyond description and I want everyone I meet to know how very loved they are by God and by me. 

Thank-you Lord Jesus.

Posted by Cliff on Aug 8th 2008 | Filed in Thoughts, Cliff | Comments (6)

The Tale of Two Christians

We at BoldGrace are often misunderstood for our criticism of organized religion, especially Christians.  I would like to set the record straight on at least how I feel about Christians who are still involved in organized religion.  I feel the same way about them as I always have.  I think some get IT and some don’t.  You can have two Christians in the same church and yet in reality they are as different as night and day.  You will also find people all over the this earth from every walk of life who get IT.

Let me describe this tale of two Christians as best I can.

One has made a connection within themselves.  This connection goes far beyond doctrine or teaching.  This connection is eternal and it is a gift we have always had.  This person feels the connection and follows the yearnings within even though they are in disagreement with much of what they may hear from the pulpit each week.

Paul gives us the best description of what this connection does to us and for us.


Love is patient
Love is kind
Love does not envy
Love does not boast
Love is not proud
Love is not rude Love is not self-seeking
Love is not easily angered
Love keeps no record of wrongs
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
Love always protects
Love always trusts
Love always hopes
Love always perseveres
Love never fails.

The other side of this tale of two Christians is the person who is certain that their relationship with God is based on what they do outside of themselves.  Their emphasis is on church attendance, bible reading, prayer, living a pure lifestyle, etc.    This type of Christian often judges and condemns others who are not falling in line with the teachings of the church.

What is my point here?  I simply want to point out that I believe there are many sincere believing Christians who GET IT.  They have made the connection that every human being is destined to eventually make.  This connection is simply a clear vision of who we really are at the core.  WE ARE GOD’S VERY BEST WORK.  Within each of us is something so special and wonderful.  Once we make the connection all the arguing and debating about who is right and who is wrong, who is OK with God, and who is not, becomes completely irrelevant.

In this tale of two Christians I believe both are accepted by God, but I’m just as certain that one of them is at peace and the other is not.  I think you can guess who?

So, next time you come here and feel like we are picking on Christians simply ask yourself "Are you one that GETS IT?  If you are you will understand that we are not attacking people who go to church, but rather systems of self righteousness that can destroy a person’s peace.

Going to church or not going to church is a personal choice that I will respect.  For me it’s about the connection we made inside.  A connection that is so beautiful.  A connection that changes us from the inside out and has nothing whatsoever to do with whether we attend church or not.

A famous Quaker preacher Thomas Kelly said the following:

Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we are continuously called to. Eternity is at out hearts, pressing upon our time-torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny. It is a dynamic center, creative Life, a gift from God to each of us. It is a Light Within which illumines the face of God and casts new shadows and new glories upon the face of men. It is a seed stirring to life. It is the Shekinah of the soul, the Presence in the Midst. Here is the Christ, the son of love, And He is within us all.

I long for the day that each and every human being finally sees the Christ that is within US ALL.

Posted by Cliff on Aug 6th 2008 | Filed in Thoughts, Cliff | Comments (6)

Galatians Part IV

My notes from Galatians 3:16 through Galatians 4:7

Who were the promises made to?
Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
 
A promise was made by God to Abraham’s SEED. There has been no promise made to us apart from Christ. And Christ is the NEW MAN that brings the free gift to ALL MEN.
ROMANS 5 SHOWS US TWO MEN–THE OLD ADAM AND THE NEW CHRIST.
Rom 5:18-21
18 Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
And the law that was added could not change this great promise that God made. Yes the law had a purpose, and that purpose was to point out our transgressions—-it still does that even today.
 
 
 
Do you understand the purpose of the law?
Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
 
The law is not against God’s promise, but obedience to the law will never secure the promises.
 
The law helps us come to a conclusion—WE SIN. It helps us see that God can not count on us for our justification. GOD KNEW WE NEEDED TO SEE THIS. AND WHAT SHOULD IT LEAD US TO?
Rom 11:32
32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
 
Why are so many still under a schoolmaster? You need to be if you still think you can get right with God? WHEN DID FAITH COME?
 
What made you a child of God?

 

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
 
John 14:5-6 HE IS THE WAY
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way ?"
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
WE HAVE BEEN TELLING PEOPLE THE WAY AND THEN COMPLICATING IT WITH A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS WE MUST DO, LIKE FOLLOWING THE LAW.
 
And just what does he mean "For ye are all one in Christ Jesus"? Men and Women? Until we all realize our true nature is spirit and not flesh we will continue to relate more to the flesh for our identity. Relating to a false identity will always leave us without peace.
 
AND WHAT ABOUT BAPTISM?

Rom 6:3-10
3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—
7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

THERE IS ONLY ONE BAPTISM AND IT HAPPENED FOR ALL OF US AT THE CROSS WHEN HE DREW EVERYONE INTO HIS BODY MAKING US ALL ONE.  THE WATER BAPTISM THAT MANY OF US HAVE BEEN THROUGH ONLY SYMBOLIZES THE ONE TRUE BAPTISM.

1 Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,  

 

THE GOOD CONSCIENCE WE HAVE TOWARD GOD CAN NEVER HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF OUR PERSONAL PERFORMANCE.  IT HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF CHRIST’S PERSONAL PERFORMANCE ON THE CROSS WHICH RESULTED IN HIS RESURRECTION OF WHICH WE ALL TOOK PART IN. 

IF YOU ARE STILL COUNTING ON YOUR PERFORMANCE TO BE RESURRECTED YOU WILL LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU COME UP SHORT, AND YOU WILL COME UP SHORT.
 
Why would anyone choose to be a slave?

 

Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
 
What are you choosing when you choose to be under God’s Law? Slavery

 

Under Law = being childlike needing a tutor. Not developed or mature.

 

 Galatians 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
 
God never intended for us to stay in bondage under the elements of the world—of religion.
Gal 1:4 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:   THE PRESENT EVIL WORLD PAUL SPOKE OF WAS THE RELIGIOUS WORLD OF LAW.
In Tim King and Frank Martin’s Book "Furious Pursuit" they make the point that God intends for all his children to reach the age of Love, no longer needing a tutor or governor to make sure we did what was right.
REMEMBER WHAT MAKES US LOVE—-BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.
 
When did the age of love happen—

 

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
 
The Age of Love came when God sent forth his SON.
And who did HE come to redeem ? Sinners? NO—-those under the law

 

 What changed in this redemption?

 

 Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
 
We can now call him ABBA, FATHER—This is a huge change from being under a task master.
Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Do you see yourself as a son or daughter?

 

Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
 
The only kind of servant we might be to God is a bondservant–a person who had served his debt for seven years then said I want to continue serving –he would nail his ear to the doorpost proclaiming his free devotion to his Master.   But even if we choose that we can only serve as friends. A bond servant serves with COMPLETE FREEDOM.

John 15:15
5 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE.