Author: Bible Community Church

Living Under the Holy Spirit | Galatians 5:22-26

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Gal 5:22-26

What must I do to be saved? This is life’s deepest existential question, one that every religion attempts to answer to calm man’s restless and guilt-ridden soul. It is the question the jailer desperately asks Paul and Silas upon witnessing their steadfast faith despite dire circumstances, and it is fully answered with grace and power by the Spirit-filled apostles. (Acts 16:22-30) What makes Christianity distinctive? In a hopeless world ladened with sin and adversity, Christians are able to handle all circumstances in ways beyond the world’s expectations because of the Holy Spirit who dwells within them. We are united with Christ through His Spirit, who faithfully leads us with divine power. (Eph 5:18-19) As we continue forward in the book of Galatians, we examine the power of the Holy Spirit who sets apart believers to a miraculous, fruitful, and triumphant life before God.

Living under the Holy Spirit is miraculous. True spirituality is possessing the Holy Spirit of God as a result of receiving salvation through Jesus Christ. Before receiving Christ, all are dead in sin, without any hope of having a relationship with God. But God Himself, by His sovereign choice, regenerates the dead by imparting new life into the believer through the Holy Spirit. (Eph 2:1, 4-6) Regeneration is a miracle. We cannot save ourselves by our own efforts; it is purely by God’s grace. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin as we hear the gospel, turning us away from sin, and into Christ. (Jn 16:8-9) In the face of all temptations to fall away from God, we are kept in faith by the Holy Spirit. God’s love never falls short in dealing with our constant sin, for He alone is faithful to finish what He began. This is truly miraculous- though we are of man in our flesh, we are of God by the Holy Spirit, experiencing the riches and grace of God every day.

Living under the Holy Spirit is fruitful. Those under the Holy Spirit are in abundance- Christians always have something to give. The Bible likens every man to a tree that is able to bear fruit. (Matt 7:19) It is by the Holy Spirit we can be productive to praise God, win souls to Christ, and do good deeds. (Heb 13:15, Col 1:10) Bearing fruit is essential to spiritual life- it reveals the quality of your relationship with Jesus, and proves whether your salvation is genuine. (Jn 15:4, Matt 7:15-17)

Love- This is the most important fruit by which all other fruit grow. Agape love is possible only by God, for God is love. Only those who have experienced God’s love in Jesus Christ is able to practice this sacrificial love. Love gives at whatever cost, seeking the highest good for the one loved. If you do not love, you do not have the Holy Spirit within you. (1Jn 3:16)

Joy- Joy is not an emotion; it is being alive to the fact that God is alive and sovereign over all. It is complete submission to God, a fruit of communion with Him. (Phil 3:8) Christians must be joyful- it is our testimony to the world that God causes all things- Thy will be done. (Rom 14:17)

Peace- Man has no peace because God hates and will judge the sinner. If you have peace with God, you will have peace with yourself. (Rom 15:13)

Patience- Patience is another expression of love. Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father completely and remained quiet even under persecution. We must not supersede God by losing our patience with others.

Kindness- Christians act graciously for others’ well-being, especially towards their enemies.

Goodness- Christians are good to others, always beneficial and useful.

Faithfulness- Christians remain faithful to Christ in all things until death.

Gentleness- Gentleness is to be meek and humble. It is to keep a true view of oneself, to have poverty of spirit, and absence of pride. It is to think about ourselves before judging others, and handling all matters in love and truth. (Matt 7:3)

Self-control- Christians have been tamed, able to excise restraint in all things. (1Cor 9:27)

Living under the Holy Spirit is triumphant. “… Against such things there is no law.” As we bear the fruit of the Spirit, the law can not condemn us, because we are perfect and justified in the eyes of God. The law can not save, nor can it bear fruit of the Holy Spirit. Its purpose is to show you your sin to bring you to Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is your victory over sin, the law, and its condemnation.

We must be filled with the Holy Spirit as we aim to have the lordship of Christ in every area of our lives. As we continue to examine ourselves under God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will enable us to be faithful, triumphant, and fruitful in Christ.

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Living Under the Flesh | Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:19-21

The flesh is a cursed principle working unceasingly in every man to oppose the will of God. Its potency, powers, and passion are bent towards sin and Satan, and the fruit of its deeds are death and destruction. Unbelievers and believers alike have the flesh- unbelievers are completely and unknowingly under the flesh because they are spiritually dead, whereas the flesh is weakened, yet still active in believers. (Rom 8:8-9) As we examine why the deeds of the flesh are so deadly, we can gain a deeper understanding of why we must entrust our souls to God and walk by the Spirit daily.

The deeds of the flesh are evident. Sin is no secret- even though fallen man suppresses the truth of God’s existence, man knows his sin. (Rom 8:19) This is the basis of God’s final judgment . God sees every sin committed by man, and He can not forget or ignore it. (Lk 8:17) Every wrong is exposed to God, who perfectly knows even the thoughts and intentions of man’s heart. (Hos 7:2, Gen 6:5) This is why sin is deadly- every sin is accounted for by a just and holy God, who knows, sees, and  remembers every sin committed before Him. Furthermore, the deeds of the flesh are evident by our conscience, because we feel guilt when we sin. Our conscience is a gift from God. It is our innate ability to know what is wrong and right. As man lives in denial of truth in an attempt to suppress his guilt, he hardens his conscience, until his calloused conscience eventually feels altogether indifferent towards sin and righteousness. (Rom 1:18, 1 Tim 4:1-2)

What are the deeds of the flesh? Paul’s outline of the works of the flesh can be categorized into four groups- sexual, spiritual/religious, social, and physical.

– Sexual (immorality, impurity, sensuality) These sins include fornication, adultery, uncleanliness, evil thoughts, and unbridled sexual acts.
– Spiritual/Religious (idolatry, sorcery) No lordship of Christ, loving anything/anyone more than Christ; witchcraft, astrology, and drug use fall into this category of sins.
– Social (enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envy) hatred, harsh words, comparing yourself to others, sudden anger, wrath, selfish ambitions, disrupting peace, causing disunity, and jealousy leading to violence are deeds of the flesh.
– Physical (drunkenness, carousing) These sins refer to being drunk from alcohol, and losing all inhibitions as a result of being drunk.

These are the deeds of the flesh of which we are all guilty. They are warning signs of God’s sure judgment for those who practice them. (Mk 7:20-22, Rom 1:29-31)

God warns us of His sure judgment. God warns us of His judgment because His judgment is real and certain. We must not take God’s warnings lightly- as we recount what fell upon Adam and Eve, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the whole world during the Flood, we can know God’s judgment is severe and brutal. (Gal 6:7, 2 Pet 3:8-9) God warns us in order for His elect to be saved. Those who heed God’s warning can avoid calamity by repenting and placing their faith in Christ. Jesus is the only refuge from God’s impending judgment- by faith alone, you can abandon the deeds of the flesh and draw near to God as His reconciled child. (Heb 11:7)

The deeds of the flesh are detrimental to the hope of our salvation. If you are practicing the deeds of the flesh today, you are not saved. We must examine ourselves- salvation is present tense. If the impact of the gospel does not mark the pattern of your daily life, you may not have saving faith. Practicing the deeds of the flesh kills all hope of salvation- it steals all heavenly affections, renders you tasteless and worldly, and hinders all fellowship with the church. Sin will quench your passion for God, and will only increase your desire for the deeds of the flesh. How deadly are the deeds of the flesh! Believers must not simply deny the deeds of the flesh, but should bear fruit contrary to its works. We must therefore walk by the Spirit- as we walk in deep communion with God, meditating on His Word with our hearts fixed on Him, He will guide us into a path of righteousness that grows brighter and brighter until full day.
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The Power of Walking by the Spirit | Galatians 5:16-18

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other,, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  Galatians 5:16-18
There is nothing that qualifies a believer’s life apart from the power of God’s indwelling Spirit. There is no exception- it is only by the Holy Spirit we can be what God planned for us to be. The apostles were mighty men of God- highly esteemed for their deeds of faith- but even they faltered when they failed to walk by the Spirit. (Gal 2:11-12) In this ongoing study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we examine three benefits of walking by the Holy Spirit daily.
As you walk by the Spirit, you can act as true believers. If we desire to walk like Christ, we must walk by the Spirit. Following Jesus is very simple and clear- we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to walk by Him every day. Christian life becomes complicated, burdensome, or dull when we carry out the desires of the flesh, but the Holy Spirit helps us in this time of need. He exposes the nature of our enemy– the flesh- showing us its corrupt desires and lusts that are meant to destroy us. He exposes the true nature of our depravity. There is nothing good in our flesh- it rejects the saving righteousness of God in Christ, with a sole aim to corrupt and condemn us before God. (2 Cor 5:21) It is always evil, always satanic, and it is deserving of God’s eternal punishment. (Gen 6:12)
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit exposes the flesh’s allies. The flesh is always stirred up by sin. It drives us to be enslaved under Satan’s power, delivering us into the hands of a fallen world. We can not underestimate the power of Satan and the world, nor overestimate our holiness and devotion to God. (1 Jn 2:15-16) We are sinners living with the flesh, and it is God’s grace alone that upholds us in faith and devotion. We must therefore all the more strive to mortify the flesh every day. (2 Tim 4:10) The Holy Spirit also exposes those who love the flesh, even among believers. He exposes the damages done by the flesh. In the case of Esau and Jacob, Esau was driven by the flesh- He ignored God’s order and sovereign Will, and forsook self-control to appease his appetite. He married non-believers, and disobeyed his parents. Esau’s disobedience caused his descendants to be cursed by the Lord, framing a devastating picture of the consequences of walking by the flesh.
As you walk by the Spirit, you can be obedient. Believers have a constant desire to be more like Christ, but face an equally constant result of failing to obey. We want to obey, but in reality, we don’t obey much. Why? Before our conversion, we were dead to the Spirit, and alive only to our flesh. There was no struggle. But as the Holy Spirit now dwells in us, the Spirit and the flesh continually strive against one another. (Rom 7:18-20) The flesh desires for us to die; the Spirit works so that we may live. There is enmity between the flesh and the Spirit, with no possibility of peace or reconciliation. This constant battle leaves no rest- when we sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us, and when we try to do good, we still see unending sin in all we do. Wretched men that we are! This is why we absolutely need the Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus unceasingly walked by the Spirit, using the Word to overcome Satan’s temptations in perfect obedience. (Matt 4:1-4) If we desire to follow after Christ, we must walk by the Spirit by going into Scripture. God knows all things, and He has prepared every answer for every circumstance in His Word. We must read, wrestle, understand and obey the Word to walk by the Spirit.
As you walk by the Spirit, you are not under the law, but under grace. Believers are no longer slaves to sin, for we now serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Rom 6:17)  There is no grace in the law. The purpose of the law is to pinpoint our sin, so that we may turn to Jesus for salvation. As the law exposes our sin, the Holy Spirit leads and guides us into the grace of God in the gospel. If you fail to walk by the Spirit, you remain under the law. Putting yourself under the law by duty and performance may satisfy for a time being, but the law inevitably steals all hope and joy. If you are led by the Spirit, He will constantly carry you into the gospel of Jesus, in which everything is sweet under God’s freeing grace. This is the essence of Christian life- let us live in the grace of the gospel of Jesus, obeying Him, and resisting the flesh by walking in the Spirit.
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Unless You Walk by the Spirit | Galatians 5:16-18

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18

As we survey church history and recount the amazing works of godly men who labored to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ, no amount of intellect, status, knowledge or wealth could have ever enabled them to do what they did. Without the Holy Spirit, men are powerless to do the works of God. In this portion of Scripture, God commands us to walk- and to keep walking- by the Holy Spirit. To walk means to live– to live by the Spirit is to live under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit, as He directs us to do God’s will. (Rom 6:4) We walk by the Spirit as God’s will becomes our utmost desire, impelling us to live a life guided by Him.

Scripture uses different phrases to refer to walking by the Spirit:

Walking by God. The Holy Spirit is not a force; He is a Person in the Trinity. He is God. He directs us, speaks to us, and reveals His Will to us. The Holy Spirit is the One who unfailingly sanctifies all believers to present us perfect and complete before God. (Phil 1:6) He helps us understand truth in our hearts. We know we walk with God because the Holy Spirit dwells within us, securing us as He accomplishes the complete will of God. (1 Cor 3:16-17)

Walking by Jesus. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Jesus. (Rom 8:9) The Holy Spirit and Jesus are distinct persons, yet the Holy Spirit dwells in us to make Christ known, loved, honored, and praised in perfect accord. Jesus is no longer physically living on earth, but He remains with us always through the Holy Spirit. (Jn 15:26, Matt 28:20) The Holy Spirit came to fulfill the work of Christ to the end. (Jn 14:26) He enables us to receive, understand and believe the words of Jesus. He sustains us in saving faith as we believe in Jesus- not by our own effort, but only by the Holy Spirit who helps us believe in things unseen.

Walking by faith. Christians walk by faith. We have an assurance of things hoped for, and an understanding of reality that goes beyond circumstances and conditions. (2 Cor 5:7, Matt 4:4) Jesus does not require us to balance our physical and spiritual needs- He commands us to wholeheartedly pursue the kingdom of God, with the promise that He will provide all our physical needs to live. Faith is from the Holy Spirit- it results in obedience, as the Holy Spirit sustains us and leads us to see the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ. (Phil 3:4-6,8; 2 Tim 4:7-8)

As we examine the accounts of notable men of faith- Enoch, Abraham, and Noah- we see that it was by the voice of God these mere men were called out and enabled to walk by the Spirit. (Heb 11:5,7-8) God’s inerrant, infallible Word upholds the same power and quality throughout all generations of men. (2 Tim 3:16-17) Scripture alone is necessary to teach and guide us today, because Scripture is alive and active by the Holy Spirit who works in our hearts through His Word. We are to meditate on the Word of God until our hearts are full- this is the life of walking by the Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we are empty and poor. No religious embellishment and self-effort can count for anything before a holy God. But our God has given us His Spirit and His Word, and as we walk by the Spirit of God, He will lead us to a truly victorious life through sanctification.

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A Test of Biblical Freedom | Galatians 5:13-15

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:13-15

Throughout history, man’s innate desire for freedom has driven countless wars between nations. The Bible says only Christians are truly free. Freedom is a divine gift from God, given to those He chooses to save. However, like the Galatians, many Christians do not know how to apply their freedom biblically. From this portion of Scripture, Apostle Paul provides four tests by which you can examine whether you are properly enjoying your freedom from God.

A conviction of your freedom. You must have a fundamental understanding and conviction of your freedom in the Lord. According to v. 13, you have been called by God. Our freedom is a divine gift- it is our salvation. God has predestined us out of many others to be saved, and He has called us to a purpose- to deliver to the lost this heavenly freedom. (Matt 4:18, Rom 8:28-29, Eph 2:10)

Freedom is the practical side of salvation. We can only feel the significance of this freedom as we understand how amazing God’s salvation for us is. The wages of sin is death- God cursed Satan because of sin, and man likewise deserved God’s judgment for sin. But instead, God has given us the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Gen 3:18-19, Gal 5:1) What a freedom! We need this conviction to fight against the very things that threaten our freedom in Christ. Our flesh is the constant enemy- our old nature is inclined to sin, and Paul urges us to give no opportunity to the flesh. Armed with the conviction that God has chosen you for freedom, guard your heart against the power of indwelling sin. (Jn 3:6)

Resistance against flesh. The second test of freedom is our battle against sin. Christian freedom is freedom from sin, not a freedom to sin. God has freed us from the enslavement of Satan, sin, and flesh. How can you know you are resisting the flesh?

– Do you obey God’s will? If you are not obeying God’s Will found in the Word, you are obeying something else. As you follow the will of God, you will consequently resist the flesh. (Rom 12:2)
– Do you use the means of grace? It is by God’s Word and by prayer that we fight for holiness. (1 Tim 4:5, James 5:13)
– Do you resist Satan? God’s Word equips us with everything we need to resist Satan. (James 4:7, Eph 6:13)
– Do you confess your sin? God has made us to be self-conscious of sin- we now know our sin, and are able to repent. (1 Jn 1:9) He has placed in us a love for Him, the church, and fellowship.
– Do you focus on Christ? Does Christ fill your heart? As we continually resist the flesh, we become more like Christ. (2 Cor 4:16)

Practicing love. This is the most important test of freedom. We are free not only to be holy, but we are free to love. Jesus had total freedom, but He limited Himself and died on the cross in our place to show His love for us. He gave us His freedom. If our love does not reflect Jesus’ humility and sacrifice, then our freedom is not of Him. (Phil 2:3-4;6-8, Heb 2:9)

Church unity. Unity is a measure of healthy freedom. The church is one body under the lordship of Jesus. We have been freed not by keeping the law, but we have been freed by Christ for good works, and it is by love we can now fulfill the law in the Lord. (Gal 5:14) By the gospel, we love God, and the Holy Spirit bears the fruit of love in us. Unity is sequential to love, for church unity can not exist apart from love. Let us take care to maintain harmony within the church through the gospel- if we fail to love the Lord, we will fail to love one another.

As we examine ourselves through these four tests of freedom, let us recognize and repent of all that holds us from enjoying the freedom we have in Jesus. It was for freedom Christ has set us free; therefore let us stand firm against all yokes of slavery. (Gal 5:1) In Christ, God has given us this heavenly freedom to have full satisfaction, joy, and glory in Him.
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The Offense of the Cross | Galatians 5:11-12

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! Galatians 5:11-12

From the beginning, the message of the cross has never failed to stir up anger, offense, and uproar among its hearers. It is the message that brought persecution upon the church, and it is the only message the church carries to this day. In confronting the Galatians for accepting circumcision as a means for salvation, Apostle Paul zealously defends the pure gospel of Jesus Christ.

Why is the cross so offensive?
– The message of the cross claims you can do nothing; God can do everything. Man’s effort, intellect, and power counts for nothing towards salvation, for salvation is by Christ alone. (Rom 10:4)

– It confronts human depravity, challenging hearts with the need for repentance. Man can not do anything to satisfy God. (Rom 3:23, Acts 6:51, 54)

– It is narrow and intolerant, declaring that Jesus is the only way for salvation. (Acts 4:12)

– It demands transformation. It is meant to turn man from unrighteousness to righteousness, to transform sinners into saints. (Acts 2:38, 40)

– It confronts human pride. Man boasts in his philosophies, social status, and religiosity, using whatever grounds to reject the gospel message. (1 Cor 1:23, Jn 19:10)

– The cross is offensive to those who are perishing. Man searches for every reason to avoid the gospel, and their rejection is a sign of their hell bound state. We are saved and transformed only by the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18)

The nature of the cross is marked by agony, pain, and death. Why did God make Christianity so bloody? From the Old Testament to today, Christianity has been full of blood- not the blood of animals or man, but the blood of Jesus Christ. (Heb 9:22) It was the Father’s will for the Son of God to suffer in order to reconcile us to God. (Acts 3:18, 1 Pet 2:24) The cross can not be removed from Christianity. Without the cross, there is no forgiveness. Knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the only way to escape the wrath of God. (1 Cor 2:2) The cross precedes the resurrection- Jesus died on the cross, and His resurrection fully proved who He was- the eternal God who cannot remain in the grave. In Christ, we are resurrected believers- we have died with Christ, and will be raised with Him. (Rom 4:25) The cross displays God’s amazing love, for while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. In moments when our hearts yearn for love, we need only to look upon the cross. (Rom 5:8) The cross fulfills Scripture that testifies of God’s death and resurrection, and it is the cross that frees us from Satan’s enslavement. (Jn 5:39, Phil 3:10-11)

Our nature is to reject the cross. Only a broken man can love and embrace the cross. Brokenness is what sets Christians apart from the world- you can not be saved until you are poor in spirit and humbled before God. To become poor in spirit is to become completely dependent on another. It is to deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus. (Matt 5:3, 16:24) All believers are disciples of Christ, desiring to obey the will of God above all in loving obedience to Christ. In every circumstance, we must turn to God’s Word and obey. Without the cross, this transformation is impossible, but praise be to God, for He has made the cross sweet to our souls. It is our gospel, our hope, and our strength to press on to share the truth of the cross with the lost.
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The Real Face of False Teaching | Galatians 5:7-10

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. Galatians 5:7-10

We are living in an age of deception- the deadly lure of false teaching hangs before us in silent attack, and none of us are immune to its deception. The Galatians were running well in faith, but false teaching crept in to convince them of a false gospel of salvation. As we strive to stand firm on the foundation of Jesus Christ and His Word, we will do well to unveil the real face of false teaching as we continue in Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

False teaching is a blind, relentless evil. No one is guarded against false teaching; it seeks to come before every believer- from Adam, to apostle Peter, to even our Lord Jesus. (Gal 2:11, 1 Pet 5:8, Matt 4:8-9) In order to avoid its blows, we must be humble, always living with the fear of God, knowing and trusting His goodness. The proud are the most vulnerable before Satan, whereas the humble live before God with an open ear and a teachable heart. (1 Cor 10:12, Job 1:21) Furthermore, we must be a man of the Bereans, examining Scripture daily to test everything against God’s Word. (Acts 17:11, Ps 119:105)

False teaching is a persuasive evil, and it does not relent until death. Its goal is to divide you from God’s Word through false teachers administering false religions, while hindering your faith by its persecution, confusion, and temptations. In the context of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, the church was free in Christ- free to be holy, free to mortify sin, free to surrender to Christ. This freedom came from the truth of Jesus, but false teaching threatened their lordship to Christ. How can we recognize when we are under the attack of false teaching? We can look at our communication and communion with God. False teaching does not originate from God- we must hear what God says to us in His Word. For the Galatians’ case, God clearly says salvation is by faith alone. (Jn 10:3) We must understand God’s Word in order to obey it with our intellect, emotions, and will. Disobedience is a sure sign of our defeat against the attacks of false teaching.

Secondly, prayer is a measure of our spiritual health. It is by prayer we build up our companionship with God. Regardless of how lengthy our prayers may be, or where we pray, the importance lies in the heart being centered on Christ, communing intimately with Him. Communion with Christ is the all-powerful defense against false teaching. (Eph 6:18, Acts 16:25)

False teaching is infectious. We must be on guard- it takes only one person to spread false teaching throughout the church. (Matt 16:6) Its messages are deceptive and sweet, fitting all too well with our fallen nature. False gospels are promising, while assuring quick fixes for all the problems of life and the soul. But the true end of false teachings is misery and condemnation. False teachers deny Jesus Christ, obstructing others from God’s only way for salvation. They try to steal God’s glory, and for all this, God reserves the harshest levels of hell for false teachers and Satan. (Rev 20:10, 2 Pet 2:1, Is 42:8)

Despite these serious dangers of false teaching, those who are in the Lord will survive this age of deception. Christian life begins with lordship, and as God works in you, His promise to finish this work will be fulfilled by His power and sovereignty. (Rom 10:9, Phil 1:6) God has endless compassion and desire to save sinners- He does not save us reluctantly, but with full resolve and steadfast love. False teaching distorts the gospel, clouding a pure faith in Christ alone for salvation. Our Lord has warned us to be on guard, so let us be humble, practice the lordship of Christ, and trust in God’s sovereignty. Our God will preserve us, and in His lordship we can be assured of it.
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Why Does God Seem Distant? | Galatians 5:2-6

Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. Gal 5:2-6

It is impossible for believers to be separated from God- He is Emmanuel, God with us. He has promised to keep us, and through the Old and New Testament, despite man’s sin, God has never changed His covenant with us. (2 Cor 5:18) This is our spiritual reality, yet in our lives, we so often feel that God is distant, inactive, and dead. Why does this happen? In our ongoing study through Galatians, we see that as children of God, there is nothing that stands between God and us. Jesus is our only mediator, giving us direct access to God. (Gal 5:1) But the Galatians supplemented their faith in Christ for salvation with other means, distancing themselves from the one true and living God. As we focus on Paul’s reproof to the Galatians, let us examine whether our own hearts have aligned to the liberating truth of salvation by faith alone.

A divided heart makes God seem distant. We must have a singly-devoted heart towards God, with a love that is set apart from all other loves. (Matt 10:37, Phil 3:4-8) Jesus is worthy of our utmost devotion- He is the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. (Col 1:15-17) The Galatians believed they needed circumcision in addition to Christ. They had a divided heart, and therefore felt distant from God as they failed to remember to live by Christ alone. A divided heart brings no benefits to the believer- even though God works faithfully to bring us to heaven, there is no sense of being in Christ. It makes us debtors to the law, obligating us to live under the law rather than the gospel, which leaves us feeling burdened and hopeless. (James 2:10) A divided heart disconnects us from Christ, which leads to a fruitless life, for apart from Jesus we can do nothing. (Jn 15:4-5) Grace supplies forgiveness for every sin, but a divided heart will make you fall away from grace, causing you to fall back into flesh. When we fail to love Christ, the joy of God’s presence can’t be found. Let us return, go back to the Lord and repent. (Zechariah 1:3-4)

Failing to practice faith makes God seem distant. Your foundation of faith is from the Holy Spirit- we can not see Jesus today, but the Holy Spirit is our silent Shepherd. Faith from God cannot fail- our faith comes from God’s electing grace before the foundation of the world. It was brought forth by God’s Word, planted by God Himself, by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit that raises the dead to life. (Rom 8:29-30, Prov 30:5, Titus 3:5) Jesus is always with us, and it is by faith we see God. Faith is prayer- without faith, there is no fellowship. (James 4:8) By faith, we are able to experience God and obey Him.

Failing to practice love makes God seem distant. Faith and love go hand in hand. Faith is thought/prayer is action; faith is internal/love is external; faith is theory/love is practical. Sanctification is love- love for God, and love for others. Faith takes away guilt, fear, and greed, enabling us to love. With love, there is joy- the joy of giving and loving sacrificially. The early church had faith and love, enabling rich fellowship where the presence of the Lord was evident. (Acts 2:42-47) When there is little faith, there is little love, and with no faith, there is no love, no justification, no salvation. If we do not practice love, we can not enjoy the presence of God.

God is never distant- Scripture says that God dwells in us. (1 Cor 3:16) It is sin that makes God feel distant. Let us therefore repent and be near to the Lord, with a surrendered heart and a faith working through love.
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The Church Jesus Builds | Matthew 6:18

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt 6:18

As we look forward to a new year, we reflect together as a church on essential resolutions found in our Lord’s words to Peter in the gospel of Matthew.

Surrender to Christ. We don’t need to search far and deep to find areas in our lives that have not yet been given up to Jesus. When Jesus refers to Himself as “I” in verse 18, there is an infinite supreme power behind His name. He is Lord, King, and Creator of all. (Is 9:6, Jn 1:13, 18:6) We must know Jesus, for as we know him more, our hearts will be satisfied with Christ alone. We must love Jesus, by being fully occupied with His Word and the gospel. True love for Christ that is ready to abandon all else is genuine salvation, and it is the only acceptable way to worship. (Matt 19:21) As we truly understand who Christ is, our love for Him will surely grow. Let us therefore use every means of grace to love Jesus more.

Prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming. A mark of a genuine believer is to have a mind set on the things above. (Col 3:1-2) Just like the early church, we must fix our hope on Jesus’ return. We can prepare by seeking to be obedient to God in every sense. As we increase in our faith in God, obedience will be manifested in every part of our lives. (1 Thess 1:5) We must wait patiently and prayerfully through this life of spiritual warfare, waiting for our Lord’s promised appearing. (Acts 1:14)

Our church to be sanctified. The church is built by Jesus to be holy. They are chosen by God, converted to Christ, and justified to become sanctified. (Matt 16:15-18, Jn 1:12-13) As we devote ourselves to the Word of God, fellowship, the Lord’s supper, and prayer, we will be built up by Christ and grow in sanctification. (Acts 2:42, Jn 17:17, Prov 27:17)

Identifying with Christ. This church belongs to Christ. We can identify with Christ by following Him and imitating His character. The church must be humble, putting God and others before ourselves. (Phil 2:3-6) We must love, giving sacrificially to others. We must be courageous, being straightforward with sin and loving others with truth. Finally, the church must be joyful. The Christian’s walk in this world is bound to get narrower, and through persecution, we must maintain joy because of the peace of God we have within.

Our church to be assured. Jesus has called us to be a part of his church in spite of our individual weaknesses, our low social status, and our countless shortcomings. Christ has loved you more than you love yourself, and He is always behind you, having proved His steadfast love on the cross. (1 Pet 1:1-2, Eph 5:25) The church must be assured of who is behind them, and who is within them. We are the temple of the living God, and He dwells in us. (1 Tim 3:15)

These resolutions mark the church Jesus has promised to build. As we renew our devotion to the Lord by surrendering to Him, preparing for His coming, and by growing in holiness and assurance in Christ, let us go into this fallen world to share the blessed truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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The Truth of Christmas | Genesis 3:15

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall be ruse his heel.” Gen 3:15

Christmas is the one holiday when seemingly the entire world gets into the spirit of good cheer, festive decorations, carol-singing and gifts under a tree. It’s a day that is commonly celebrated, but what is Christmas really about? Genesis is the book of beginnings, including the origin of Christmas. As we understand the true meaning of Christmas, we can then fully appreciate the blessed hope and joy of the season.

Christmas is all about God. God planned, initiated, and accomplished salvation in Jesus Christ. (Jn 3:16) He is the only true and living God, the only One who can save man, the eternal God who is full of glory. (Ex 3:13-14, Is 42:8, Is 43:11) Christmas displays God’s attributes for us to behold.

– God is powerful– all are lost, but God alone is Almighty. By His power, Christmas exists for man’s salvation.

– God is holy– If all were lost, who can judge righteously? Man is blind to the bottomless depths of his corruption- only Jesus was without sin. God is the only Judge, and He is the One who made Christmas to redeem us.

– God is full of grace– Christmas is at the pinnacle of God’s grace. The perfect birth of Jesus Christ is at the center of Christmas- a gift that no man has ever deserved. Our gift exchanges during Christmas dimly reflect the grace God had for us on Christmas Day.

Christmas is all about the plight of man. The original setting of Christmas is bloody, because it is all about sin. (Gen 3:14) In this fallen world that is continually ravaged by the curse of sin- incessant wars, hatred, and animosity- there has never been a day of peace since the Fall. God sent Jesus to this world to resolve man’s plight of sin, but Jesus was rejected by the world since the day of His birth, for the nature of sin is to always reject what is good and pure. Jesus endured the most excruciating pain during his crucifixion as He bore the full suffering and perfect wrath of God for the sins of man.

Christmas is about sin. This day provides the context to reflect and ponder on our own sinful nature and the seriousness of sin. Even as Christians, our lives are not marked by having no sin, but grief over sin. Our sin are blatant attacks against God, who is fully righteous and just to condemn us. If God’s grace did not intervene, we would continually increase to the darkest, most perverted depths of sin, for our depraved hearts are fully set in enmity against God. We need God; we need a Savior. Christmas is a time for repentance.

Christmas is all about Jesus. Jesus is the true and only reason for this season’s joy. Man can not save himself by Old Testament laws and rituals- the Old Testament sacrifices themselves point to Christ. Christmas is all about Jesus, who was God, who became man, who came to us through the virgin birth. The doctrine of the virgin birth is absolutely essential, because Jesus was born without man’s original sin. (1 Tim 3:16) Jesus came to save us. Do you love Christ? If you do not love Christ, you do not know the true meaning of Christmas. If you love any other more than Christ, you do not yet understand how sinful you are. (Lk 14:26, 33) Christmas reminds us of our former sinful lives that we’ve forsaken, and the life of Christ we now have because of Him who loved us.

Christmas is all about the gospel. “…He shall bruise your head…” Jesus’ resurrection was the final blow to Satan. The invisible God became visible, suffered and bled on the cross, rose again, and crushed the power of Satan. (1 Cor 15:3-4) Hallelujah, what a Savior. This is God’s most important gift to us- the gospel. The gospel is all we can boast of, and it is what every man needs. Christmas shows us the power, love, and salvation from God, and it is an opportune time to share this gift with those around us. In the midst of this bustling season, above all, let us remember God, our sin, and Jesus. Let us remember the gospel.
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