Heralds Digest

  “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” Galatians‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Being Jews first before becoming Christians, there are lots of prides in the patriarchs‘ covenant relationship with God to protect for early followers of Christ. Predominately in the Galatian church, circumcision was being promoted by some as a necessary requirement to access the provisions of the Cross. Even today, fans of celebrities, music legends, sport superstars, famous politicians are mostly stronger than fellowship on the basis of faith and working by the Spirit of God. Unfortunately, the generic principle of flashing man’s works in the flesh to get accepted into fellowship is still succeeding in tearing family, friends, and fellowship apart. Wherever faith in God is leading in the project of life, election of members’ participation on the basis of human qualifications is secondary to selection by faith and the Spirit of God. If we always...

  “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The similarity between the natural birth and spiritual birth is quite revealing. Without labour, there can be no birth at all. While it is understandable that Apostle Paul’s reference to the brethren in Galatia as little children is spiritual, his labour was uniquely personal to him. He would labour again and again until Christ is formed. This consistent passion and ceaseless travail makes the responsibility of making Christ’s children the personal liability of all soul winners. Actually, if Christ is formed in us, our children (everyone within our sphere of influence) should see Christ in us and be attracted to Him. Perhaps, they have always been struggling to see something else other than ourselves. Therefore, the personal and consistent checkups make a lot of sense for everyone who claims to be one of Christ’s children.

  “Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Galatians‬ ‭3:21-22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Just as legalism is synonymous to the law and righteousness is synonymous to faith, it is always difficult to see the interrelationship between law and faith. But like the performance of the team comprising the second-fastest third-fastest, and slowest is important and expedient to the fastest (anchor) that finishes a relay race, the scriptures revealed that the law brings us to faith for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, like most religious practitioners, many followers of the law have had a satisfactory romance with legalism at the expense of faith in righteousness. Whereas, the purpose of the law remains the leading of all followers to Jesu...

  “Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Decency and orders are based on rules and regulations; and the world has benefited immensely by the activities of those who follow the rule of laws religiously. Based on theocracy, the Jews can boast on their works of the law and facts following. Even in our contemporary times and under the provision of grace, we struggle to let go of activities that are already covered by grace. ‘If there is anything we can do to help God with the business of salvation, deliverance from satanic affliction, living uprightly, and access to supernatural healing’, we may probably submit to God our concerns based on facts following. Whereas, all the works of grace are based on faith in Christ’s finished sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. Whenever we elect to follow His leadings, we immediately understand that our facts can no longe...

  “They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.” Galatians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Friendliness in fellowship promotes productivity, especially when there is no segregation on the basis of class or status. But diversity in class or status is a reality that cannot be overruled in life. Even in the early church, God ordained Paul and his team to focus on the gentile class; while Peter and the rest of the Apostles focussed on the Jews. Notwithstanding, the limitations of focussing on friendliness were illustrated by the display of hypocrisy in a combined fellowship among brethren in Galatia. Whereas, a focus on fruitfulness will emphasize just the preaching of the gospel of truth and the demonstrating of the love and virtues of Christ, like the meeting the needs of the under-privileged in the community. Whereas, friendliness focuses on proving a point and maintaining status, fruitfulness is always satisfied with meeting the needs and adding ...

  “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1:15-16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Without a contextual interpretation of the scriptures, anyone can readily treat Paul’s conversion and commissioning as preferential predestination. Like it is up to God to decide who goes to hell or heaven. Whereas, by ‘I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood’ , it shows that it was Paul’s decision to respond to the call against the forces of flesh and blood . Flesh and blood constitute the coverups for the spiritual violence against the kingdom of God; and the influence of self-will, human reasoning, and the deceitfulness of worldly attractions. Apparently, believers at the early church had held on to the keys in their closets to engage these forces, pulling down strongholds and every imagination against the Will of Christ...

  “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Truth be told, a man of the people is made by the people; but a man of God can only be made by God…there is no middle ground. But just like the prevailing challenge in life, even the undoubted conviction of being made by God could not erase the dilemma of persuasion in the ministry of Apostle Paul. “ For do I now persuade men, or God? ” is still a valid concern of every believer, who is called primarily to please God daily in all relationships with people in his life. Unfortunately, the call to please God will always bring every man into a headlong collision with people, especially the valuable people in his life. Paul understood the benefits of pleasing people to stay relevant and reserve status and position; but at this point, the consequences were more clearer to him: the sacrifice of being a bondservant of Christ. We ...