Scripture: Galatians 5:12 I wish that the ones who are upsetting you would castrate themselves! Thought for the Day: Let’s be honest, this is one of those passages that catches your attention. Paul’s words are not very Christian, but there might be more than first meets the eye. In some of the pagan cults of the time which the Galatians would have known, those who were truly devoted
Scripture: Galatians 5:6 Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t matter in Christ Jesus, but faith working through love does matter. Thought for the Day: I came across an article while I was working on a sermon. I liked the title, so I started reading. It wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. In fact, the title was the antithesis of the article. I was expecting
Scripture: Galatians 4:28 Now you, my friends, are children of the promise, like Isaac. Thought for the Day: It is said that a person is known by the promises s/he keeps, not by the promises made. We know God by the promises kept, and so it is easier to trust in new promises made. As those who continue to live in the tension between the old and new
Scripture: Galatians 5:2-6 Look, I, Paul, am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, having Christ won’t help you. Again I swear to every man who has himself circumcised that he is required to do the whole Law. You people who are trying to be made righteous by the Law have been estranged from Christ. You have fallen away from grace! We eagerly wait for the hope
Scripture: Galatians 5:1 Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again. Thought for the Day: The movie, The Free State of Jones, is coming out today. I am intrigued by the movie, and though some say it takes a few liberties with it accuracy, it has spurred me to read about Newton Knight, the poor white Southern
Scripture: John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Thought for the Day: The Apostle Paul spoke often about freedom or being set free. He not only spoke about it, but it spoke from the perspective of one who knew
Scripture: Galatians 4:21 Tell me—those of you who want to be under the Law—don’t you listen to the Law? Thought for the Day: Paul begins this section with a question about listening. For his audience, the idea of listening and faithful obedience were inseparable. Those from a Jewish background would have known the Shema (Deut. 6:4ff), which begins Hear, O Israel: the Lord The Lord is our God,
Scripture: Galatians 4:16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? Thought for the Day: Telling the truth can be so formidable and difficult when you know the truth-telling will not be heard well. I’m pretty certain we have all been there at one time or another, and we have all chosen to approach those moments with the best intentions. At times, we have
Scripture: Galatians 4:13-14 You know that I first preached the gospel to you because of an illness. Though my poor health burdened you, you didn’t look down on me or reject me, but you welcomed me as if I were an angel from God, or as if I were Christ Jesus! Thought for the Day: There has been an ongoing speculative debate about Paul’s physical infirmity. Paul was
Scripture: 1st John 5:2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep God’s commandments. Thought for the Day: When we read that we are to keep God’s commandments, the author is not referring to some lengthy and burdensome list. The author of 1st John is referring specifically to the two Great Commandments – to love the Lord your