"Paying Dearly for Ungodliness?"Galatians 5:15
If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Thoughts for Today:My thirteen year old daughter Amanda and I have come up with a really interesting application of Matthew 7:2: "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." When it comes to the last piece of pie, cake, final portion of orange juice or anything else, the question is always, "Do you want to split or choose?" In other words, if one person splits the portions, then the other one chooses which one they get. It's a practical way to end disputes regarding equal portions.

Think about it, if everyone received back exactly what they put out, how much more careful would we be with the way we judged, measured or treated others? What if we really believed that every time we criticized another person, made a cruel remark, gossiped or otherwise degraded someone -- sooner or later, we would be hurt to the same degree? I think that is exactly what Paul is saying in our passage today. So even though as Christians we no longer need to fear God's wrath or rejection, if we walk in conflict and animosity with other people, we will eventually be forced to deal with the negative results that those actions produce.

Questions to Ponder:Paul tells us consequences remain for our actions beyond God's direct punishment. How so? Other people (and Satan) will make us pay dearly for our ungodliness. How do you treat other people? With love and compassion or in some other way? How would you like to be treated?

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"The Antidote for Sin is Loving Others"Galatians 5:14
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Thoughts for Today:Although the Old Testament Law is full of commands and prohibitions, many people never look beyond the outward rules to understand its purpose. The focus would seem to be upon our individual actions, but the true target is something different. The Law strikes at the core reason for all of our problems -- humanity's nature. By addressing our actions it reveals the sinfulness and complete helplessness of this nature. Yet, the Law is also powerless to change or enable us to overcome sin. It only points out our weaknesses, failures and susceptibility despite our best efforts. And by doing so, it allows sin to gain an even tighter grip upon us. (Romans 7:18: "For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.")

Conversely, love does what the Old Testament Law could never do. God's love (which we are to reflect) is self-sacrificing. It is the exact opposite of the sinful nature's orientation. When we walk in the one command to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” we reject the urge of self-centeredness and self-interest. As a result, we naturally fulfill the holy commands of the Law.

How does this work? If we love others more than ourselves, then we won't steal from them; we won't hurt (or murder) those we love; and if we truly love our spouses, we won't commit sexual sins. Since we know all sin is selfish, the correct antidote for sin is selflessly loving others as much or even more than ourselves.

Questions to Ponder:Could the Old Testament Law really be as simple as "love"? Try it out. Do you have any problems with sin? Replace the attitude with one of loving others more than yourself. How does this change your desire to sin?

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"The Opposite of Indulging the Flesh"Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Thoughts for Today:Throughout this section, Paul has been teaching that he freedom we gained in Christ released us from bondage to the laws and regulations of Old Testament Law. This freedom is possible because of our born-again spirits (1 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"). So we know that in our spirits we are righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:23-24: "To be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness); and we also know the Lord relates to believers based on who we are in our spirits (John 4:24: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”); however, Paul also recognized there is still a part of us that remains susceptible to sin (“the flesh").

There were some people in Galatia (the same as there are today), who use Paul's defense of God's grace as an excuse or promotion of sin. However, in our passage today, Paul makes it very clear that Christian liberty is not freedom TO sin, but freedom FROM sin. The first step in this process is to deny the desires of the flesh. So how do we deny the flesh? By living godly lives of service to one another in humble love. When we serve others in the power of God's love, it will always negate the influence and control that sin can have in our lives. Why? Because a God-based love is unselfish -- which is the exact opposite of our self-absorbed and self-serving flesh.

Questions to Ponder:Have you become a little more self-indulgent lately? When was the last time you served other people in the power of God's love? Not with our own power or purpose, but to serve others unselfishly? Serving others is the opposite of indulging the flesh.

"Separation From Negative Influence"Galatians 5:11b
As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Thoughts for Today:The King James Version of our passage today reads: "I would they were even cut off which trouble you." Different translations have caused scholars to debate what Paul intended. Did Paul want the Judaizers to castrate themselves (the NIV translation) -- and be punished for their agitation? Or simply to be separated and removed (the KJV translation) from any influence over the Galatians?"

I personally don't think it really matters. Regardless of which translation is correct, Paul wanted the legalists removed from the presence of the Galatians so their preaching and teaching would no longer be a source of confusion for them.

The same can be said for us in our struggle with our little "pet sins". The ones we keep around or allow to keep coming around -- and never really address. In our passage today, Paul tells us how -- cut them off, toss them out, and gain separation from them completely and permanently. Just like castration or circumcision. Why? Because once it happens there is no going back. Unfortunately, sin won't separate itself from us without some effort on our part. In the case of the Galatians, they had to stop listening, paying attention, and serving the Judaizers -- and instead return to the Gospel of grace.

Questions to Ponder:Is there an activity in your life that you just need to end? Is a friend or associate regularly leading you back into a behavior, influence or teaching it is best for you to avoid? Will you remove yourself from the situation or person today?

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"Getting What We Preach"Galatians 5:10b
The one who is throwing you into confusion, whomever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

Thoughts for Today:Every Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader, missionary, pastor and parent should pay very close attention -- Paul is warning that anyone who throws God's people into confusion and causes them to become entangled in legalism will have to bear personal responsibility for what they've done. His words should be a gigantic, flashing red light of warning for the accountability that all teachers and leaders will ultimately have to the Lord.

James confirms this with his own parallel thought (James 3:1): "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." Every one of us who are involved in teaching or leading God's people must take our responsibilities very seriously and with a great dose of prayer as we seek God's will. In fact, Paul's instruction to Timothy is an excellent example of the proper perspective (2 Timothy 2:15): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

Although Paul may not have been wishing judgment to come upon the legalists in Galatia, he is stating the consequence for their actions. In other words, anyone who preaches a harsh and judgmental God -- who will give us only what we deserve -- will indeed get what they preach.

Questions to Ponder:How seriously do you take your responsibilities for leading and teaching others? Do you seek the Lord's will? What is He speaking to you about now? Will you adjust your words, attitudes, and approach to Him? Is the God you teach the God of grace or something else?

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"Immediately Head Back to the Starting Point"Galatians 5:10a
I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view.

Thoughts for Today:Let's say I invited you and a few friends to join me for an ocean cruise from the coast of California to the Islands of Hawaii. But if as we left the harbor, I began to thump the compass with my finger, it might cause you to ask, "Is there anything wrong?" And your concern would probably be elevated if I answered, "Don't worry about it, the compass is only off a few degrees. We'll be just fine."

We all know that a few degrees on a cruise from Dana Point to Catalina Island (a distance of 26 miles) wouldn't make that much of a difference. But on a thousand plus mile trip to Hawaii, it would cause us to miss the whole Hawaiian Island chain by hundreds of miles. Eventually we would run out of fuel and provisions -- become adrift in the middle of the ocean -- and we would perish. Not the place or the result we had intended.

Throughout this section Paul has been discussing the consequences of any form or amount of legalism. His point is that even a small amount will take us far off course and with potentially disastrous consequences. In our passage today, Paul expresses his confidence that we will see the problem in the same way that he does. So if we find ourselves caught in this type of situation (any form of legalism), what should we do? Immediately turn the boat around and head back to the starting point -- God's grace -- before it is too late!

Questions to Ponder:Take a moment now and ask God to reveal to you in what areas you have become a little off course. We all need a course correction from time to time from the Lord. What adjustment do you need to make?

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"God Did Not Make Salvation Complicated "Galatians 5:8
That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

Thoughts for Today:Often times I receive questions from people who seek clarification or additional insight on a particular verse of the Bible. I'm always happy to help in any way I can. It's one of the reasons God placed us in His family, so we would have access to teachers and other mature Christians who can help to broaden and deepen our knowledge of His Word. However, sometimes the questions have nothing to do with anything in the Scriptures. I ask, "Where did you get that idea? It certainly didn't come from the Bible!" Unfortunately, some Christians get their ideas from very odd places. I've had people say to me, "I've been reading Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science), and she said...." or "I went to a Scientology meeting and they said...". In our passage today, Paul is saying, "That kind of thinking does not come from God, so why are you listening?"

Some very strange thoughts can even come from so-called "Christian" authors and speakers, all of which have the potential to take us way off course. It's one of the reasons I am a firm believer in the sufficiency of the Bible -- all by itself. We don't need special tracts, literature, or the interpretations of humans to unlock for us the "secrets" of Scripture. If we really want to know the truth, all we need to do is read the Word.

My advice to anyone who asks questions is to read your Bible. Why? Because when we rely on God's Word, our foundation will always be solid and secure. And we will be a lot less susceptible to being persuaded by newly "inspired" philosophies.

Questions to Ponder:Do you know the truth of Scripture? It's really very simple: God loves us, we are sinners, He sent His Son to die for us, and when we believe and trust in Him we are forgiven and receive eternal life. Humans make God's plan a lot more complicated. Have you become confused? Paul is simply saying that if you are confused, God is not the one who made salvation complicated.

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"The Race Isn't Over"Galatians 5:7
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

Thoughts for Today:Mary Decker Slaney was perhaps America's greatest middle distance runner of all time. She is the only athlete to hold every American record from 800 meters to 10,000 meters. Her greatest international achievement came at the 1983 inaugural World Championships in Helsinki, where she won the 1500 and 3000 meters -- a feat that would become known as the "Decker Double" and helped earn her the title of Sports Illustrated Sportswoman of the Year for 1983. A year earlier, she set world records in the mile, 2000m, 3000m indoors, 5000m and 10,000m (her first race at that distance), and won the AAU Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the country.

In addition to being one of the greatest female runners in track history, Mary Decker Slaney was perhaps the unluckiest. She never won an Olympic medal. In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics she was favored to win the gold in the 3000 meters, but instead collided with a young, inexperienced barefoot runner from South Africa, Zola Budd, who cut her off. Decker Slaney fell on the infield, injured her hip and could not resume the race.

In our passage today, Paul references a race as well -- one in which the runner was also cut off with potentially devastating consequences. Yet, he is not speaking of an actual foot race. The Galatians had been running well spiritually -- but then they had allowed the legalists to cut into their lane, cause them to stumble and discourage their freedom in Christ. Paul was concerned that if they did not recover quickly (refocusing upon and obeying the truth) they would soon fall and become disqualified from the race.

Questions to Ponder:I attended the 1984 Olympics and what happened in Mary Decker Slaney's race was extraordinarily difficult to watch. Expectations and dreams were shattered. She seemed to be such a lock to win the gold medal, and just when it was within her grasp, disaster struck. It's a good lesson for all of us. In your spiritual walk, is anyone cutting in on you "to keep you from obeying the truth?" Are you being negatively influenced in any way? How can you correct your stumble and get back on the right course and finish the race?

​"From Have to -- to Want to"Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Thoughts for Today:I have heard it said, "Saving faith can be distinguished from all other imitations through examining the actions it produces." However, it is very important to understand that action or deeds is not the cause of salvation, but rather the effect. Faith in God's grace is all that is required.

Not long ago, a Christian brother asked me why I spend so much time, energy and money serving God now that I'm retired. He said, "You've worked hard, you've earned a comfortable retirement. Why not just golf and surf every day? In fact, find some new hobbies and enjoy them also!" I read to him James 2:14 and 17: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ...Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

I decided a long time ago, that my faith would be demonstrated not just by words, but by what I actually did as an expression of my faith. And the commitment I made back then has continued into my retirement years. Why? It certainly is not because I am forced to. Then why? Because it is a choice and decision I make each day. It is truly amazing what happens when we fully acknowledge God's love for us. It allows us to release His unencumbered love into the world through our deeds. And it changes our perspective from "have to" to "want to".

A God-centered faith will always have actions that conform to the Word of God. However, it is also true that love is what makes faith work. As we realize how much God loves us it will grow our faith to even higher levels which will naturally create in us the desire to share His love with others. I think James’ point (James 2:14-17) is that anyone whose faith is not producing deeds is struggling with faith, and therefore somewhat deficient in their understanding of how much God loves them.

Questions to Ponder:In our passage today, Paul tells us, "The ONLY thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." He didn't say one of the things. He said the ONLY thing. How is your faith expressed through love? What are you doing to demonstrate God's love through your actions?

"Waiting by Faith"Galatians 5:5
For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.

Thoughts for Today:When we first believed and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, we were "born again". As Jesus explained to Nicodemus, this new birth is essential in order to enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:3-5: Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.")

Just as we did not accomplish our own physical birth, we cannot produce a spiritual rebirth on our own. We are incapable of saving ourselves, therefore we need a Savior. When we place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved -- faith is the only condition (Romans 10:6-9). From that moment, all of us who have been "born again" became righteous in our new born-again spirits. (2 Corinthians 2:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here!") However, we are not only spirit, we also have bodies and souls that are longing to be changed. (Romans 8:23: "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.")

Salvation is not a reformation, but rather a regeneration -- a new birth and a new creation -- that can only be accomplished by a creative miracle of the Holy Spirit. However, there is still a "hope" (i.e., future event) attached to our righteousness. In our passage today, Paul is speaking about the hope that will only be fully realized when we receive our glorified bodies. (2 Corinthians 5:12: "For while we are in this tent [our earthly bodies], we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.")

Questions to Ponder:God gave us His Spirit as a deposit to guarantee what is to come. Are you living by the joy of His Spirit or the limitations of the physical world? Who or what is the source of your hope? How can the realization of this truth change your perspective on a current problem?

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