Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 14, 2012

The Supernatural: We are “released from the Law” and “led by the Spirit of God”.

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 5:16-18.
 
“16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
 
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;  for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
 
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”  Galatians 5:16-18.
 
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“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” 
 
What shall we say then?  Is the Law sin?  May it never be!  On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law;  for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”  But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind;  for apart from the Law sin is dead.  I was once alive apart from the Law;  but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;  and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;  for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Romans 7:4-11.
 
“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God;  for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 
 
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.  If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 
 
So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—  for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die;  but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”  Romans 8:5-13.
                             

“For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”  Galatians 2:19-20.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 13, 2012

Our Absolute Need for the Supernatural

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 5:13-15.
 
“13 For you were called to freedom, brethren;  only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
 
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
 
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.”  Galatians 5:13-15.
 
———————– 
 
At first, verse 15 seems like a non sequitur;  verse 15 does not seem to logically follow verses 13 and 14.  When we think of “through love serve one another” and “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”, we tend to think of feeding the poor or providing some other service to help someone else.  We don’t think of something so basic as:  “Stop biting or devouring one another!” or something even more basic such as:  “OK, I realize that you are still going to bite each other, but at least limit the damage so that you are not consumed by one another.”  Verse 15 almost seems like an insult. 
 
But, verse 15 is logical and necessary.  One of the first steps toward loving and serving one another is to reduce the pride in us.  We are not going to love and serve another through the flesh.  Remember “Total Depravity”:  the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism also known as Reformed Doctrine.  We absolutely need “Some One” supernatural to possess us to make us love and serve another as we should.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 12, 2012

A Little False Doctrine

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 5:7-12.
 
“7 You were running well;  who hindered you from obeying the truth?
 
8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.
 
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.
 
10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view;  but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
 
11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted?  Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.
 
12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.”  Galatians 5:7-12.
 
—————————–
 
A little false doctrine is not harmless.  A little false doctrine can spread like “A little leaven (which) leavens the whole lump of dough.”  Verse 9.  A little false doctrine is also often hidden like a little leaven is hidden in a big batch of dough.  It is so dangerous that Paul employs his very strong words both in today’s Scripture and elsewhere. 
 
“Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;  for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”  Philippians 3:2-3.
 
“And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  Matthew 16:6.  “Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  Matthew 16:12. 
 
We also see leaven used to describe boasting in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, but this Scripture also comes back to the importance of cleaning out the old leaven and pursuing truth.  “Your boasting is not good.  Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?  Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened.  For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.  Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
 
But, there is hope!
 
Creeds a/k/a confessions, and even the simple acronym “TULIP”, can help us detect a little false doctrine.  Without such help, we may hear preaching or teaching that seems a little “off”, but we cannot pinpoint what is wrong.  We may dismiss that feeling of uneasiness, thinking that the preacher or teacher just had a bad day.  But, with such help of the creeds etc., we can more easily pinpoint what is wrong and eliminate it from our consideration.  In the right margin, there are “easy to find” links to the following Reformed creeds:  Belgic Confession, Canons of Dordt, Heidelberg Catechism, and Westminister Larger Catechism.   
 
In addition, we can trust the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth.  “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth …”  John 16:13  Likewise, today’s Scripture states:  “I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view …”  Verse 10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 11, 2012

“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law”

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 5:1-6.
 
“1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free;  therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
 
2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
 
3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
                                

4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.

5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”  Galatians 5:1-6.

——————————–

We can’t have one foot standing on grace with the other foot standing on the Law, thereby depending on the Law to hold us up if grace does not hold us up.  We can’t buy a little “fire insurance” from the Law.  “And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.  You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.”  Verses 3 and 4.  

When we wholly, or even just partly, seek to be justified by the Law, we are not under grace, but we are under the Law.  “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;  for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”  Galatians 3:10. 

In a riveting chapter, Hebrews Chapter 10 compares the Law with Christ.  Click here: Hebrews 10 NASB – One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient – Bible Gateway

Hebrews Chapter 10 first describes the inability of the Law to make us perfect.  “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.”  Hebrews 10:1.

Hebrews Chapter 10 then describes the perfect sacrifice of Christ.  “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.  And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us;  for after saying,

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.”  Hebrews 10:14-18. 

For those who continue to trust the Law, there is  “… a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.  Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?  For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  Hebrews 10:27-31. 

In conclusion, we are almost at the end of the Book of Galatians.  Throughout the Book of Galatians, Paul has been pounding the table on the contrast between the Law and grace (through faith in Christ).  Now, in today’s Scripture near the end of the Book of Galatians, he gives this sharp warning.  “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.”  Verse 4.  We see a similar sharp warning in Hebrews Chapter 10.  But, we are not among those who even partially rely on the Law.  “For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”  Verses 5 and 6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 9, 2012

Children of Promise

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 4:21-31.
 
“21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?  22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.  23 But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.  24 This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves;  she is Hagar.  25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.  26 But the Jerusalem above is free;  she is our mother. 27 For it is written,
 
“REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR;
BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR;
FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE
THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND.”
 
28 And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.  29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.  30 But what does the Scripture say?
                              

“CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON,
FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.”

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.”  Galatians 4:21-31.

—————————–

Paul continues the hammering.  Do you want to be under the Law or do you want to be under the promise?

The bondwoman Hagar, her son Ishmael, the desert (Mount Sinai), the Ten Commandments, and slavery represent the Law. 

Abraham’s wife Sarah, their son Isaac, the richness of heaven (Jerusalem above), walking by the Spirit, and freedom represent the promise. 

On which side do you want to be?

Moreover, it is very interesting to note that the promise is not just received by those wise enough with enough will to secure it by their alleged “free will” in choosing the side of faith versus the side of the Law.  The promise refers to one of two covenants.  See verse 24.

The promise is an unconditional covenant based on God.  “But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac;  and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.”  Genesis 17:19.

“6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed.  For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;  7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but:  “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.”  8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.  9 For this is the word of promise:  “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.”  10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;  11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”  13 Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”

14 What shall we say then?  There is no injustice with God, is there?  May it never be!  15 For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.  17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”  18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  Romans 9:6-18. 

Thus, we should not consider the children of promise as those who are wise enough and have enough willpower to exercise their alleged “free-will” to choose faith instead of the Law.  Rather, ultimately, we should consider the children of promise as the elect.  The children of promise do have faith and do not rely on the Law nor seek to be under it, but the children of promise, as being the elect, received their faith along with all the other saving gifts of salvation as part of the promise.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 8, 2012

“perplexed, but not despairing;”, we still have faith, showing God within us

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 4:12-20.
 
“12 I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are.  You have done me no wrong;  13 but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;  14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.  15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had?  For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.  16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?  17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.  18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.  19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.”  Galatians 4:12-20.
 
———————————-
                                           

“Definition of PERPLEXED:  1: filled with uncertainty : puzzled  2 : full of difficulty”

 
We are not surprised by Paul’s admission that he was perplexed about the Galatians.  We certainly sense it throughout the Book of Galatians so far.  “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?  This is the only thing I want to find out from you:  did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:1-5. 
 
We are also familiar with this emotion of being perplexed.  Last night, I was restless and thrashed back and forth in bed as I tried to go to sleep but was perplexed about some matter.  You too have likely felt that emotion from time to time. 
 
But, there is hope!
 
“we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;  perplexed, but not despairing;”  2 Corinthians 4:8.
 
Even though we do not despair, why do we need to experience this emotion of being perplexed and similar difficult emotions?
 
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;  we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”  2 Corinthians 4:7-10. 
 
We still have faith!
 
“But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.  For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
                                         
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;  for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:13-18.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 7, 2012

Enslaved All Over Again to the Law?

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 4:8-11.
 
“8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9 But 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?  10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.  11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”  Galatians 4:8-11.
 
——————–
 
The temptation to go back to the Law to prove our own self-righteousness is with us today as it was with the Galatians.  Paul asked in the last chapter:  “Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:3-5.  “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:24-25.
 
And, let us not forget the verses immediately preceding today’s Scripture.  “So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.  But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and if a son, then an heir through God.”  Galatians 4:3-7.   
 
So now, in today’s Scripture, Paul asks:  “But 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 you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
                                                     

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a mere shadow of what is to come;  but the substance belongs to Christ.  Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?  These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”  Colossians 2:13-23.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 5, 2012

Students, Slaves, and Sons

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 4:1-7.
 
“1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.  3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.  4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and if a son, then an heir through God.”  Galatians 4:1-7. 
 
——————————
 
Paul continues to build his case that we should not seek to be under the Law, but rather, that we should seek to be “in Christ”.  
 
At the end of the preceding chapter, Paul used the analogy of students and a tutor:  “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:24-26. 
 
In today’s Scripture, Paul uses the analogy of slaves in bondage.  Christ redeemed His elect under the Law, so that they might receive the adoption as sons and be no longer slaves. 
 
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Christ).”  Ephesians 1:3-5.
 
And so, we begin to see more clearly that God’s grace, including our adoption as sons and every other spiritual blessing, is not based on our performance under the Law, but rather, God’s grace, including our adoption as sons and every other spiritual blessing, is based on our position in Christ:  “which (grace) He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Christ)”.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 4, 2012

We Belong to Christ.

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 3:27-29.
 
“27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
 
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female;  for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
 
29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”  Galatians 3:27-29.
 
———————- 
 
Today’s Scripture provides the conclusion to this chapter and provides the answer to the question of what we should seek:  the Law or Christ.  By stating it by three different phrases, today’s Scripture provides an exclamation point in its answer.  Our goal is to “belong to Christ” also stated as “clothed yourselves with Christ” also stated simply as “in Christ”, and thus we are “heirs according to promise”.
 
Our comfort is not in the Law.  We are not going to prove our righteousness under the Law.  We are not going to receive a blessing under the Law.  Rather, under the Law, we will only prove how great of sinners that we are with the result of spiritual death.  Romans 7:7-11. 
 
“… For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.  But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.  Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”  Galatians 3:21-25. 
 
Our comfort is that we belong to Christ.  Even though we have read Question and Answer 1 of The Heidelberg Catechism hundreds of times, it still brings us the freshness and the joy of an ocean’s breeze.  
 
“Question 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?
 
Answer.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 2, 2012

The Teacher, the Train, the Father, and the Law

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 3:23-26.
 
“23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 
 
24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
 
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
 
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:23-26.
 
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The teacher graduates her students, and the students leave the teacher and classroom and enter the next grade or work or otherwise get on with their lives.   Likewise, “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”  Verses 23 and 24.   
 
The train delivers its passengers to the end, the station, and the passengers get off the train and enter the station and proceed to their destination.  Likewise, the Law delivers us to Christ.  “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  Romans 10:4.  
 
The father hands his daughter to the groom, and the daughter leaves the father and joins her husband.  Likewise, “Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”  Romans 7:4.
 
The Law leads us to Christ, and we leave the Law and cling to Christ.  “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”  Galatians 2:19-20. 
 
“For in Him (Christ) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;  and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”  Colossians 2:9-15. 

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