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. Galatians 5:4-6
Today, I continue a pause of my study of Zechariah as I prepare for leading worship at The Gardens and The Lodge this upcoming Sunday as part of a ministry outreach of my church Bay Leaf Baptist. Since the start of the new year, worship for this ministry is based on Tony Evans' booklet The Grace of God, and for this Sunday's worship specifically, we are using chapter 4 Set Free by Grace. On my final day of preparation for tomorrow, I continue to look at Christian freedom and I lean on DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video (Part 1) for Galatians 5:1-6. Per OverviewBible.com, in Galatians, Paul seeks to exhort the church in Galatia to avoid following false teaching that proclaimed that "salvation comes through the Law of Moses." In the DesiringGod.com video, John Piper expands on this by pointing to Galatians 5:1 where we are encouraged not to "submit again to a yoke of slavery." This yoke (see also Acts 15:10) is heavy, uncomfortable and it coerces external actions that only lead to eternal damnation. This is the point of the gospel - we can't earn our way to Heaven - this is impossible. We are not justified by the law, but instead by grace and faith. Verses 4-5 are the key here to freedom. See also Galatians 3:13-14, as Paul shares how Jesus became the curse for us and gave us the Holy Spirit - what Piper describes as a "double work of liberation" from the yoke and coercion of external behaviors. Instead, Jesus works in our hearts through sanctification where the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out- see also Galatians 5:16-23. Piper ends the video where He defines Christian freedom as our desires are changed from inside out by Spirit - see also Galatians 2:20.
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that has set me free by grace and faith - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You set me free. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin that point them to You such that they choose You as their Lord and Savior. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
