LIVING IN THE SPIRIT, NOT HUMAN EFFORT The apostle Paul warned the believers in Galatia not to foolishly give up their freedom in Christ to be entangled once again under a yoke of slavery to religious rule-keeping. For since we are saved by faith, we must live and walk by faith. Self-effort neither saves nor
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE Justification is the doctrine that God pardons, accepts, and declares a sinner to be just, “made right with God,” on the basis of Christ’s righteousness. Justification is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from any works of our own. Paul was concerned that the Christians at Galatia,
THE GOSPEL IS FROM CHRIST, NOT MAN The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in the Galatian churches to explain where he had received his gospel message. He wanted them to know that he had received it by personal, “direct revelation” from the Lord Jesus Christ. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul described his
DOES YOUR HEART SAY “I WILL” OR “THY WILL?” Lucifer, whose name meant “Morning Star,” was cast down from heaven because of his rebellious heart that said, “I will be like the Most High.” Being cast down, he sought to corrupt and kill those whom God had made in His own image by tempting them
ISAIAH’S PROPHECY CONFIRMED IN CHRIST JESUS Isaiah prophesied God’s coming judgment on Israel and Judah. Yet, he also prophesied that though the tree of David’s throne would be chopped down, leaving only a “stump,” a “shoot” would grow out of it. This shoot would grow into a “new Branch,” which is Christ, the Son of
CHRIST’S STRENGTH IN MY WEAKNESS Paul told the Corinthians that he had learned to glory in his weaknesses, for it was in weakness that he had experienced the power of Christ at work in and through him. He had learned that real strength comes out of weakness which, distrustful of itself, gives itself up to
GOD STILL SENDS THOSE WHO WILL ANSWER HIS CALL Isaiah had a vision that changed his life. He saw the Lord’s heavenly throne room and heard the sound of the seraphim crying out to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” Isaiah was overwhelmed
UPSIDE-DOWN MORALITY–THE SIGN OF IMPENDING WOE The Lord declared impending judgment on Judah through the prophet Isaiah for their rejection of His law and the confounding of His Word. “What sorrow.” He said. Or as in other translations, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” For their thinking had become so warped
BRING YOUR SINS TO THE LORD Isaiah begins his prophecy with a terrifying appraisal of Israel’s sin. Yet before he even finishes the first chapter, he offers this hope of forgiveness and covering from the Lord. For the Lord invites us to come to Him and “settle” our sin problem. Though our sins are deeply
THE UNFAILING LOVE AND GREAT COMPASSION OF OUR GOD David prayed for God’s mercy and forgiveness after being confronted with his sin with Bathsheba. He did not ask for God’s mercy based on himself, but according to God’s “unfailing love” and “great compassion.” David knew what his sin deserved, yet he cried out for God