January 28, 2009 7:46 AM
Dustin wrote:
Wow, this scripture has really stood out to me. 1, 2, and 3 didn't stand out, they didn't jump off the page at me like this one did. I am going to type in my thoughts line for line so if it seems as though i'm rewriting it, im not, these are just the thoughts i had for each line number for number. This is the first time any scripture has stood out to me this strong. if you want to skip i would look at 7 and 31.
1.you can own the whole estate but none of it really belongs to you 2.subject to parents and the time set by God. 3.Slaves to the law 4. God sent his son, born of woman, under the laws. 5.Born under law, but put here to deliver us from sin. 6.God allowed his only son to be crucified so we could recieve the spirit who calls out "abba, Father." 7.Since you are a son of God you are an Heir to his estate, The Kingdom of Heaven. 8.Slaves to satan's ways of sin 9.Falling away after baptism 10.Observing holidays that are not the sabbath. 11.Paul wasted his time trying to convert people to christianity, that had never really heard the gospel.
I felt this way (11) like i was wasting Rick, Tony, And Lamont's time by going to these bible studies. But after last night, I have to say thank you because if you guys weren't the shepherd you are, this sheep would still be lost.
12.Haven't hurt me, You are hurting God. 13.Preached gospel to cure illness. 14.Welcomed with open arms into a city even though he was sick. 15.The people would sacrifice everything to keep the joy they had for the gospel. 16.AM I THE ENEMY? 17.Alienate you from Christ. 18.Be happy, but be happy for the right reason. 19.Stugling again to regain there faith in Christ. 20.Really upset that he cannnot be there to help. 21.Read the law, does it cause you to sin? 22.Abrahams two sons 23.Slave woman= natural birth/ Free woman=birth through the promise of God. 24.Automatically born to be slaves. 25.Hagar and children are slaves. 26.Heaven is free and she is our mother. 27.Be happy woman, that has no children, no pain, cry out in joy, Because women that are fertil have the pain you do not have. 28.Children of Gods promise. 29.Kane and Able persicute each other/ Ordinary vs. Power of Spirit. 30.Seperate from beig a slave for no inheiatance will be earned by slaves, but will from the free. satan= no promise GOD= HEAVENLY PROMISE-ETERNAL LIFE 31. We are not children of satan. WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD.
If you read all the way through this and have questions for me, or just think that some of my thoughts are not quite on track, Please let me know. I am willing to accept criticism and re think what i thought i read.
January 29, 2009 8:44 AM
Johnbob wrote:
Some great snippets here Dustin. There are a few thoughts that might be a bit off track, but you will learn over time. Thanks for being so thorough.
On 10, Paul appears to be referring to the fact that they are observing holidays and feasts of the Jewish faith, like the Passover and many others. These were in observance of the law and the old covenant, thinking that this was required to be right with God. The Sabbath also falls under the old covenant. Though we meet for church, it is on the day after the Sabbath, which is Sunday. So even the Sabbath is not required. Reply to this
January 28, 2009 8:03 AM
Rich wrote:
I agree with Mac, this is a tough chapter to get much from. Much of what is here is specific to the Galatians at that specific time. And it is a letter to Jews who became Christians but who are returning to Jewish customs and ways, returning to trying to follow the law instead of focusing on Jesus.
One verse that hit me was: "What has happened to all your joy?" I sometimes wonder about that concerning myself. When I was a young Christian, I had great joy and zeal. I accepted the Word when I heard it. I was thrilled to have a quiet time. I enjoyed sharing my faith with others. I wanted to go to church and to get together with others. Some of this might have been age (I was young then) but much of it is related to what is being said in Galatians. As I have gotten older as a Christian, I have lost my joy, often because I have returned to much of what I thought and believed prior to becoming a Christian.
For example, why do I blog (some days)? Is it because I love Jesus, because I am happy, or is it because I don't want to disappoint Mac or because I don't want Mac to send me an email asking me where I've been? What about church? What about praying? What about loving my wife and children? Why do I do these things? What is my motivation? Is it because I want to obey some law or some customs I have accepted or is it because I love God?
Thinking about it this way makes me see that Galatians is written as much to me as it was written to Jews in the first century who became Christians and then returned to Jewish ways. Reply to this
January 29, 2009 8:23 AM
Johnbob wrote:
I agree with you regarding the issues with 'joy'. I think the other thing that steals our joy is the numerous distractions we face here is this time and in America. So instead of doing the things that matter, we are all over the place delivering our kids, doing side jobs, or like me, looking for a job (Sprint announced 8000 layoffs and my department is being reduced 45%). So if we are always distracted and tired, where is there room for God? The stresses cause us to do things we wouldn't normally do, like drink or in my case, eat, or indulge in sin, etc.
So we need to simplify our lives. Again, Christianity is not complicated - it is very straightforward. If we take our eyes off Jesus, we won't have joy, that's for sure. Reply to this
January 29, 2009 8:36 AM
Johnbob wrote:
I would probably disagree that this is a tough chapter to get things from though. I missed it yesterday and as I read it this morning, I found myself thinking that there sure was a lot to discuss in chapter 4. One thing to realize is that the writers probably didn't have chapters back then - it was just one big letter. So one thing to think about is that 4 really sets up chapter 5 - though again, it is aimed at Jews. Or you could really say that it is aimed at 'religious people' or people that grew up in a traditional religion (like us, in other words).
So another scripture I like is when Paul says to 'become like me'. Elsewhere in the NT it says to 'Imitate your leaders'. We need to imitate the good attributes of our leaders - instead of being critical.
And in verse 1-7, it talks of us as being a son vs. a slave. So for those of you who struggle with being legalistic - being perfect - depressed when you are not perect, etc. Well, how do you overcome that? By focusing on the fact that you are a son and not a slave. You are an heir, along with your brothers. We have the Spirit in our hearts - this is a prelude to what he discusses in chapter five.
So the point his that the law is not the answer in order to know God and be known by Him. It is not about perfection, it is not about doing your duty - it is about love, forgiveness, and a sincere relationship. More on that in Chapter 5. Reply to this
Must be a bod day coming...I didn't get much out of this chapter.
Reply to this
I mean 'bad'
Reply to this
Wow, this scripture has really stood out to me. 1, 2, and 3 didn't stand out, they didn't jump off the page at me like this one did. I am going to type in my thoughts line for line so if it seems as though i'm rewriting it, im not, these are just the thoughts i had for each line number for number. This is the first time any scripture has stood out to me this strong. if you want to skip i would look at 7 and 31.
1.you can own the whole estate but none of it really belongs to you
2.subject to parents and the time set by God.
3.Slaves to the law
4. God sent his son, born of woman, under the laws.
5.Born under law, but put here to deliver us from sin.
6.God allowed his only son to be crucified so we could recieve the spirit who calls out "abba, Father."
7.Since you are a son of God you are an Heir to his estate, The Kingdom of Heaven.
8.Slaves to satan's ways of sin
9.Falling away after baptism
10.Observing holidays that are not the sabbath.
11.Paul wasted his time trying to convert people to christianity, that had never really heard the gospel.
I felt this way (11) like i was wasting Rick, Tony, And Lamont's time by going to these bible studies. But after last night, I have to say thank you because if you guys weren't the shepherd you are, this sheep would still be lost.
12.Haven't hurt me, You are hurting God.
13.Preached gospel to cure illness.
14.Welcomed with open arms into a city even though he was sick.
15.The people would sacrifice everything to keep the joy they had for the gospel.
16.AM I THE ENEMY?
17.Alienate you from Christ.
18.Be happy, but be happy for the right reason.
19.Stugling again to regain there faith in Christ.
20.Really upset that he cannnot be there to help.
21.Read the law, does it cause you to sin?
22.Abrahams two sons
23.Slave woman= natural birth/ Free woman=birth through the promise of God.
24.Automatically born to be slaves.
25.Hagar and children are slaves.
26.Heaven is free and she is our mother.
27.Be happy woman, that has no children, no pain, cry out in joy, Because women that are fertil have the pain you do not have.
28.Children of Gods promise.
29.Kane and Able persicute each other/ Ordinary vs. Power of Spirit.
30.Seperate from beig a slave for no inheiatance will be earned by slaves, but will from the free.
satan= no promise
GOD= HEAVENLY PROMISE-ETERNAL LIFE
31. We are not children of satan. WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD.
If you read all the way through this and have questions for me, or just think that some of my thoughts are not quite on track, Please let me know. I am willing to accept criticism and re think what i thought i read.
Again Thank you.
Reply to this
sorry i forgot to use spell check.
Reply to this
Some great snippets here Dustin. There are a few thoughts that might be a bit off track, but you will learn over time. Thanks for being so thorough.
On 10, Paul appears to be referring to the fact that they are observing holidays and feasts of the Jewish faith, like the Passover and many others. These were in observance of the law and the old covenant, thinking that this was required to be right with God. The Sabbath also falls under the old covenant. Though we meet for church, it is on the day after the Sabbath, which is Sunday. So even the Sabbath is not required.
Reply to this
I agree with Mac, this is a tough chapter to get much from. Much of what is here is specific to the Galatians at that specific time. And it is a letter to Jews who became Christians but who are returning to Jewish customs and ways, returning to trying to follow the law instead of focusing on Jesus.
One verse that hit me was: "What has happened to all your joy?" I sometimes wonder about that concerning myself. When I was a young Christian, I had great joy and zeal. I accepted the Word when I heard it. I was thrilled to have a quiet time. I enjoyed sharing my faith with others. I wanted to go to church and to get together with others. Some of this might have been age (I was young then) but much of it is related to what is being said in Galatians. As I have gotten older as a Christian, I have lost my joy, often because I have returned to much of what I thought and believed prior to becoming a Christian.
For example, why do I blog (some days)? Is it because I love Jesus, because I am happy, or is it because I don't want to disappoint Mac or because I don't want Mac to send me an email asking me where I've been? What about church? What about praying? What about loving my wife and children? Why do I do these things? What is my motivation? Is it because I want to obey some law or some customs I have accepted or is it because I love God?
Thinking about it this way makes me see that Galatians is written as much to me as it was written to Jews in the first century who became Christians and then returned to Jewish ways.
Reply to this
I agree with you regarding the issues with 'joy'. I think the other thing that steals our joy is the numerous distractions we face here is this time and in America. So instead of doing the things that matter, we are all over the place delivering our kids, doing side jobs, or like me, looking for a job (Sprint announced 8000 layoffs and my department is being reduced 45%). So if we are always distracted and tired, where is there room for God? The stresses cause us to do things we wouldn't normally do, like drink or in my case, eat, or indulge in sin, etc.
So we need to simplify our lives. Again, Christianity is not complicated - it is very straightforward. If we take our eyes off Jesus, we won't have joy, that's for sure.
Reply to this
I would probably disagree that this is a tough chapter to get things from though. I missed it yesterday and as I read it this morning, I found myself thinking that there sure was a lot to discuss in chapter 4. One thing to realize is that the writers probably didn't have chapters back then - it was just one big letter. So one thing to think about is that 4 really sets up chapter 5 - though again, it is aimed at Jews. Or you could really say that it is aimed at 'religious people' or people that grew up in a traditional religion (like us, in other words).
So another scripture I like is when Paul says to 'become like me'. Elsewhere in the NT it says to 'Imitate your leaders'. We need to imitate the good attributes of our leaders - instead of being critical.
And in verse 1-7, it talks of us as being a son vs. a slave. So for those of you who struggle with being legalistic - being perfect - depressed when you are not perect, etc. Well, how do you overcome that? By focusing on the fact that you are a son and not a slave. You are an heir, along with your brothers. We have the Spirit in our hearts - this is a prelude to what he discusses in chapter five.
So the point his that the law is not the answer in order to know God and be known by Him. It is not about perfection, it is not about doing your duty - it is about love, forgiveness, and a sincere relationship. More on that in Chapter 5.
Reply to this