Bible Thoughts

September 16, 2001

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians he found it necessary to rebuke them for their attitudes regarding the law of Moses. In this passage he explains to them why he rebuked the apostle Peter. Previously, Peter had been eating with and living with the Christian Gentiles, but when Jews sent by James came to him, Peter separated himself from the Gentiles for fear of what the men from James would say and do. So Paul rebuked Peter and in doing so also rebuked the Galatians since they too were looking back to the law of Moses. The letter explains how we are justified by faith and not by the keeping of the works of the Law. In Galatians 3:24-29, Paul explains how the law was a schoolmaster or tutor to lead us to Christ. In verse 29 Paul states, "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." The Law of Moses was to prepare the world for Christ. Having obtained Christ there is no schoolmaster since the "promise" has come.

The Christian might ask, "What does this mean for me today?" Other than the Seventh Day Adventists, no one is trying to impose the Law of Moses upon anyone.

There is a lesson for us today and it is a crucial one: we are saved by faith and not by works. Works are an essential element of faith, for as James said, “faith without works is dead being alone”, but works alone will not save us. The majority of Christians say, “I already know that." But when otherwise faithful Christians fight over issues such as “one cup or multiple cups” or “food in the church building” you have to wonder if they really do understand that “…by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

When the law of Christ was established and the law of Moses was fulfilled, one law was not merely traded for another. Christ’s law is a law of faith, not of rituals and ordinances. We are not justified by communion, we are not justified by baptism. We are justified by faithful obedience. Does this mean we do not have to be baptized? Absolutely not! It is through water baptism that our sins are washed away—not by power of the water but through faith in Christ Jesus. When Christians make doing an act of obedience a certain way more important then the obeying, they are taking upon themselves the same heart as those Paul rebuked in his letter to the Galatians.

We are saved by faith not by law. This does not mean we can ignore Christ’s laws or do them wrongly but it does mean we should not let the act itself become more important then the action. Philippians 2:3-5: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus"(KJV).-Scott Huston

The Way of which Luke speaks is the message in the gospel of Christ. As they taught the truth, men and women were pricked in their hearts, obeying the truth, as well as some who reacted negatively to the preaching of the gospel. It is still the same and has been through the centuries.

Demetrius and the silversmiths of that day were fearful that Paul's preaching would ruin their business. As idolaters, they preyed on the weaknesses of the people whom they controlled. They were unwilling(as they saw it) to surrender their position and power to someone like Paul, a preacher of the gospel of Christ. Hence, there was "no small stir" created in Ephesus because they felt threatened by his teaching. Paul was trying to persuade them that God's way is best.

The apostle had been a persecutor of those who were Christians. He confesses, "...and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women"(Acts 22:4). Paul had been zealous for the Old Law and sought to stop any teaching that would affect observance of that Law. The reality of what he had done in the past weighed heavily upon the mind of the apostle. However, he did not let that keep him from serving the Christ who died for him. When he learned the truth, he responded and became a Christian. Paul found that God's way is best!

As the years passed, the apostle taught and encouraged the Hebrews, as well as the Gentiles, to follow the commands of God as revealed in the New Testament. He had nothing to offer that originated with men. His concern focused on the truth of the gospel. With all of his might, he taught what had been revealed and persuaded others to accept and follow the word of God. Paul found God's way to be best!

Faithful men of today dedicate themselves to following the commands of Christ in all areas. The searchers for truth examine carefully the inspired words of the New Testament (including the writings of Paul). They will respond by following the instructions of Christ as revealed in the gospel. Those who are so dedicated realize that God's way is best!

We can never be any better, or any happier than our thought patterns. As the stream cannot rise above its source, we, in our manner of life, cannot rise above our thoughts.

Our thinking determines our course of conduct. "Keep the heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life"(Proverbs 4:23).

Christ said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things"(Matthew 12:34, 35).

Think about these things. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report [whatever is gracious]; if there be any virtue[excellence]; if there be any praise[anything worthy of praise], think on these things"(Philippians 4:8). Right thinking and wise thinking are essential to our well-being and to our success in the Christian life.-Bob Wear, Gospel Advocate, October 22, 1953, page 703.