Bible Thoughts

January 13, 2002

The experiences of the apostle Paul, as he stood for righteousness, are summarized in this passage. Facing so many adversities, he still remained true to the Lord. Paul understood that what he underwent in this world would be nothing to compare with the reward he would receive from the God of Heaven.

Whatever be the cost, how great the suffering, how painful the experiences--Paul would endure for he understood that this life was only for a short time but the next life would be for eternity. Paul suffered, but he understood that every ounce of pain, every affliction, and every disappointment would not compare with what he would inherit--eternal life.

Facing all of the oppositions of Satan and his cohorts, the apostle stood strong for the truth and the ways of God. There was no power, no influence, and no adversary that would keep him from living as a Christian.

In spite of all of the difficulties, the persecutions, and the adversaries, Paul was content to be a disciple of Christ, nothing more; nothing less. His excellent example of perseverance should strike the heart of every Christian. No matter how tough the opposition, Paul was faithful. No matter what the cost, Paul paid the price. No matter what he suffered, Paul knew the reward was worth it all.

In all of the difficulties he faced, as pointed out in the passage at the beginning, Paul was contented with his lot in life. Why? Because this man of God understood that what he suffered in this life was not even to be compared with the reward in the next life. With such an attitude, the apostle could endure whatever was heaped upon him, whether hunger, prison, false brethren, physical injury, and even death, he was content to follow the Lord and live as a Christian. Why? He put the kingdom of God and the Lord's righteousness before all else. He refused to surrender to Satan and always contented himself with the knowledge that someday, any suffering he endured was worth eternal life in heaven.

Paul was contented with his lot in life. His attitude was always that God will take care of him. His faith was strong enough to endure whatever persecutions came his way. His hope rested not in the things of this earth, but in the reward for faithful service. In spite of all the physical harm that was inflicted on this man of God, he was contented to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, nothing more; nothing less.

How contented(satisfied) are you with your life? Real satisfaction for the disciple of Christ comes through righteous living, respecting the ways of God, and a faith that says, "I will serve the Lord, whatever the cost." Such will bring happiness in this life and joy in eternity.

When Paul wrote this to the Galations he was speaking of their desire to return again to the Law of Moses for justification. Specifically, he was warning against making fleshly circumcision a binding requirement upon Christians. Always it seems, people are seeking justification by the keeping of rules or checklists. That is, “I have done this, this, and this, while I have not done that, just as the Bible says, so I am holy.” How many times has a thought such as this entered into the minds of a people? It seems as though what is sought is a system of rules that may be followed so that punishment may be avoided while still allowing the individual to live their life as they see fit. Even though the heart is not always in the wrong place when attempting to bind a legalistic system of religion the understanding is.

When the law of Christ supplanted the law of Moses it was not merely one set of rules being replaced by another set of rules. The law of Christ is a law of liberty, not a law of bondage. Does that mean we may do as we choose and that there is not a “right” way to do things? Absolutely not. Consider this: under the law of Moses a man or woman was literally born as a child of God. From the first breaths of life they were in God’s kingdom with all the obligations thereof. Though the ultimate choice of whether to follow God or not was up to the individual, by being a Jew the obligation was to follow the Law of Moses. God expected it because of their birthright.

Even the most vile of sinners was still a child of God and was accountable to all points of the Law of Moses. Contrast that with Christianity. The Christian is not literally born into the world as a child of God. Rather, the Christian has recognized the glory of God and the magnificence of Christ and has freely chosen to become a child of God. By taking up the mantle of Christ the former sinner has been freed from the oppressive weight of sin and quickened from the grave. Formerly, not even their prayers would be heard by God for “…we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth"(John 9:31). Now they are free to pray to the Lord of heaven, free to offer up their praises in song, free to offer up their lives as sacrifices pleasing in God’s sight, and free to walk in the footsteps of Christ. The Christian follows Christ, not out of obligation, but freely. Consider then Paul’s rebuke of the Galations. By binding the law of Moses they made the worship of Christ a thing of obligation, not of freedom, as if by the deeds of the flesh they were justified.

Paul said, “Now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?” When Christians begin focusing on rules, what is and is not permitted, and begin wrangling over words to justify a practice they have lost sight of the gift they have been granted, namely to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Christ has told us what pleases him, for the true Christian that should be enough.-Scott Huston