THE GOSPEL BLESSING

Feeling Blessed

“What then has become of the blessing you felt?”  (Galatians 4:15a, ESV).  The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians is rich with earnest, doctrinal arguments, cultural illustrations and an insightful allegory clarifying the truth of the gospel.  His approach to justification has been celebrated and debated in the historical teachings of the Christian faith.  Applying doctrine produces the church’s experience.  The doctrine of the gospel and justification produced the experience of joy and happiness.  Justified Christians felt blessed after embracing the gospel Paul preached.  In contrast, the false gospel of agitators distorted God’s gift of justification and injected upset that blighted their former feeling of blessedness.

Doctrine Matters

Very influential Jewish Christians of the party of the Pharisees demanded Gentile compliance with the Law of Moses.  Some claimed James, the brother of the Lord, authorized their command.  The gravity of their influence even swayed the apostle Peter.  Peter used to eat with Gentile Christians, but pressure from these guardians of the Law caused Peter, Barnabas and many other Jewish Christians to stop eating with the uncircumcised Gentiles.  Therefore, in earnest the apostle Paul publically confronted Peter about his hypocrisy that supported the sabotage of their new freedom of crossing the old boundaries hindering fellowship.  Paul called the false teachers spies because their mission restored justification according to works of the law, which once again empowered the traditions that prevented God’s promise to Abraham from being realized.  The false doctrine affected practice.  Those who left the truth of the gospel fell out of step with the new freedom of fellowship bestowed by justification by faith.

Experience Matters

The gospel produced the feeling of blessedness and happiness in God who now knew them as His adopted sons.  The Spirit of Jesus, the Son of God himself, guaranteed and imparted the reality of God’s promise to Abraham.  Jew and Gentile both received justification from God just like Abraham, according to their faith in God’s promise.  The promise of God to bless all nations through Abraham’s descendant had been fulfilled by Jesus so that the blessing of justification was offered through faith in Christ.  In Galatians Paul fought to define a common experience of justification through faith rather than through law or the elementary principles of the world.  They had been enjoying the experience of justification in fellowship together at the table, as one family, without the burdens and barriers of their former transgressions, traditions and taboos.  In this one family, through the seed of Abraham, Christ the Son of God, and by the Spirit of the Son, they shared in the future hope of God’s promise of righteousness.  The only thing that mattered now was faith expressing itself through love; because in Christ they equally belonged to the one family of God.

Methods Matter

The spies and agitators threatened to destroy the realization of one family through God’s promise.  Contrary to God’s promise, they held the Law defined the ground of justification, which really would only entitled the doer of the Law full acceptance, equality and status in God’s family.  Yet these charlatans were really boosting their own pride and self-interests.  They sought to secure circumcision and outward adherence to the traditions of Judaism to avoid persecution from fellow Jews by removing the offenses of ethnic and cultural uncleanness.  Thus Paul corrected Peter, because if Jews could not in fact succeed as doers of the Law, then it was hypocritical to so burden Gentiles.  Instead, as transgressors of the Law all Jews were living under the curse of the Law.  Even the Messiah died under the curse of the Law; howbeit, unjustly.  He was crucified not because of his own transgressions, but because of his people’s transgressions.  Through their rejection, jealousy and evil false accusations, they delivered an innocent to his crucifixion.  The cross embodied the complete, sinless faithfulness of Jesus Christ to God’s covenant.  Therefore, Jesus — who is the Son of God, the seed of Abraham, the appointed Messiah [Christ or King] and mediator between God and man — represents both God and man in a new covenant.   Therefore, Paul clearly exposed an insidious hypocrisy and defended the cross as God’s method for granting justification, the blessing of belonging to the family of Abraham and enjoying the promise and blessing of God’s new creation.

GOSPEL TRUTH AND CLARITY

Birth Pangs of the Gospel

In Galatians Paul defines the truth and clarity of the gospel of Christ. The drama spurring this impassioned reproof also required an unprecedented council in Jerusalem over the same issue: Whether the church should require Gentile Christians be circumcised and submit to the Law of Moses to be saved. Additional background is in Luke’s account in Acts 10-11 and 13-15. These were the birth pangs of the gospel’s movement from its Jewish roots to its Gentile branches (See also Romans 9-11).

Pressures to Conform

Very influential Jewish Christians of the party of the Pharisees demanded Gentile compliance with the Law of Moses. Some claimed James, the brother of the Lord, authorized their command. The gravity of their influence swayed the apostle Peter until the apostle Paul publically, in front of the church in Antioch, confronted him about his hypocrisy. Peter used to eat with Gentile Christians, but pressure from these guardians of the Law caused Peter, Barnabas and many other Jewish Christians to stop eating with uncircumcised Gentile Christians.

Defense of the Truth

Good men had been swayed by the claim that compliance with God’s Law completed the Messiah’s purpose for his people. Instead Paul argued that compliance to the Law caused a reversion from the purpose. Paul exclaimed: “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3, ESV). The truth of the gospel and the freedom and joy of Christians was at stake. Paul did not give in to the distortion of the gospel message for even a moment. Therefore, Paul called the church to arms: But what does the Scripture say? Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman [Galatians 4:30, ESV].”

Shocking Revelations

Paul was shocked by their departure from the clarity of the gospel that he preached. Therefore he shocked them. He surprised the Jews by asserting that rebuilding the Law nullified God’s grace. Without the grace of justification through the cross of Christ they were slaves to their transgressions and losers of their inheritance as sons of God which God promise through Abraham. Indeed Paul contended: You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace [Galatians 5:4, ESV]. Paul shocked the Gentiles, asserting that submission to the Law was like reverting to their former slavery in paganism [See Galatians 4:8-11]. Whether paganism or the Law, they all were left to the rudimentary principles of rituals and efforts according to human knowledge and their mystical imaginations. Instead, the gospel fulfilled God’s promise of justification and the adoption as sons through the simple call to trust just like Abraham had trusted.

Rule of Grace

To those who doubt that trust in the gospel of the crucified Messiah is sufficient without the requirements of the Law, Paul asserted: For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. [Galatians 5:5-6]. When we follow the rule of grace, then the Spirit of the Son of God rules our hearts. This is more effective than the ways that depend upon the flesh. Paul’s confidence in the gospel should become our confidence, because he knew this was not just another religion or spiritual way among preferred choices. The gospel of the cross of Christ is the boast of our faith, because through the cross of Christ God causes us to die to this world to be partakers of His new creation [Galatians 6:14-15].

Feeling True Love

This poem is for my wife Leslie on our anniversay — Today!!!

FELT AT FIRST,

ONE TRUE LOVE;

LIONESS, MIRTH;

MY TRUE LOVE –

HIGH ON EARTH!

– BY BRYAN BUTTRAM, WWW.BRYANBUTTRAM.WORDPRESS.COM

TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY – AT LEAST

TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY – AT LEAST

The wisdom of this Proverb cautions that there is another side to the story.  Proverbs 18:17 states:  “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him” [ESV].

Parents quickly learn there are two sides to every story.  Counselors learn to listen to both sides before giving advice.  Fair minded judges hear both sides before passing judgment.  And friends – friends often regret getting in the middle, even before they hear the other side; but especially after they hear it.  The other side doesn’t always clarify the issues, but the other side clarifies some truths about human nature.

If you as a friend find yourself in the quagmire of a dispute between other friends, you probably feel pressure to choose a side.  Do not choose a side until you have fairly heard both sides.  Perhaps after hearing both sides you will see that the best way to help your friends is to stay in the middle.  The middle is not calm, but it does allow you to the freedom to develop an unbiased, righteous understanding of the issues.  Once, a brother asked Jesus to settle a dispute over an inheritance with his brother.  Jesus refused to take sides, but he did advocate for the will of His Father.  [Luke 12:13-21].

On another occasion, one of Jesus’ best friends made a complaint against her sister.  Martha complained that Mary was not helping her with the preparation of service of food.  Jesus was aware of both sides of the issue because he was involved and literally in the middle, for Mary was hearing him teach.  Jesus took Mary’s side, not because Martha didn’t have a good point; but because Mary chose the better part.  In this case Jesus clarified that one choice was the best choice; not that the other choice was wrong.  [Luke 10:38-42].

The Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus would create disputes in order to entangle Jesus in a quagmire.  They connived and asked Jesus if taxes should be paid to Caesar [Matthew 22:15-22].  If Jesus said “No”, then they could get him in trouble with Roman authorities; and if Jesus said “Yes” they could turn the rabble against him.  Beware, it may be in the self promoting interests of one side to wrongly discredit the other side in your eyes or to alienate you from the other side.  Jesus answered so wisely he amazed people with this famous quote:  “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”  If you fail to amaze others, at least be confident in your conscience that your answer pleases God, honors righteous laws and seeks the truth in-between.

Paul and Barnabas disputed whether or not to take John Mark on the second missionary journey.  [Acts 15:36-41].  Paul saw John Mark as a cowardly deserter; while Barnabas felt Mark regretted his decision and learned his lesson.  They disputed the issue so sharply; they did not agree and split their team.  One went one way and the other went the other way.  Whose side would you take?  Is it possible to take a side in the interests of righteousness and conscience without discrediting either side for selfish motives?  I think so, but both sides may have to accept the reality of agreeing to disagree.  Biased human nature can’t see and accept this solution.

It’s up to you, the one in the middle to fairly hear both sides of the story; and then articulate God’s will, the best choice, the truth in-between, or the reality that all may have to be content with the consequences of no agreement.  In spite of the unfortunate parting of ways, Paul did find John Mark very helpful in later years [2 Timothy 4:11].  Paul also advised other Christians:  “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” [Romans 12:18, ESV].

THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GUIDANCE IN THE LORD’S WORK

What if the Holy Spirit Chaired Every Church Leadership Meeting?

Luke described the routine leadership meeting of the teachers and prophets in the church at Antioch.  He mentioned no specific agenda, nor committee reports.  Yet they pursued a serious spiritual purpose through worship and fasting.  Therefore, the Holy Spirit attended and led the meeting.   Acts 13:1-3.

If the Spirit Does Not Lead Then the Flesh Leads

When church work is conducted mostly like ordinary human business; the spiritual methods are garnish rather than the meal.  The mission of Christ is the meat of the Holy Spirit’s work, and he does help Christ’s disciples to accomplish this mission.  John 16:7-15.  Jesus did promise the Holy Spirit.  He is the Helper who manifests the fellowship and presence of both Father and Son within our hearts.  In human relationships personal influence powerfully affects our lives.  By the Holy Spirit the Lord powerfully influences and helps us in order to accomplish his own mission.  It is God’s will that His work be accomplished according to His plan and promise and not by human wisdom and pride.  John 14:15-24; Acts 1:6-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Galatians 3:1-14; 2 Corinthians 3:1-6.

The Spirit is Indispensible to Knowing What God Wants

The deep things of God cannot be discovered or known by the natural man, but only by the spiritual man.  The Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals them to the spiritual man.  The knowledge of God is not just information, but it is an understanding and fellowship that is personal.  It’s personal because only the spirit of a person knows the person.  Only the Spirit of God knows God.  The Holy Spirit’s fellowship with God is direct and personal.  Your inner spirit’s fellowship with you is direct and personal.   Relationships in which the thoughts and mind of the spirit is shared usually share the mutual benefits of closeness and loyalty.  It’s amazing God offers this potential by lighting our lamp and abiding in our home.  The potential from His Spirit with our spirit is great when we respect His holy presence, purposes, and ways by seeking for ourselves the spiritual mind of the Son of God.  Proverbs 20:27, 1 Corinthians 2.