Hal’s Blog

“Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:23-29

Good Morning,

Waking up with God brings a new day of challenges for all believers. I ask God to be my Keeper and preserve my going out and my coming in. And, I ask for the strength of the Lord and He never fails me.

The first words I heard from God today were “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”. You and I have to be centered in Christ and He will take care of all our needs.

Now back to Galatians…

This discourse tends to be a little laborious in dealing with the law and the promise of Christ.

Here are my notes on the scripture above:

The laws given to Moses caused all the Israelites to become enslaved to obeying rules.

The law was a guardian to show the Israelites the values of God until the coming of Christ.

Without the law, the Israelites were free to sin since they lacked the moral code of God.

You are no longer under the guardian of the law with Christ; your guardian is the Holy Spirit living within you.

In Christ, you are a child of God by faith in the promise given to Abraham.

The decision for Christ causes you to become a new creature in Christ Jesus. You die to self and live for Christ.

You become baptized into the death and resurrected life of Christ.

The Holy Spirit clothes you with the garments of Christ. Old things pass away and all things become new.

There is no discrimination with Christ. He accepts all without any prejudice.

If you belong to Christ you are an heir of the promise made to Abraham. You live with God forever!

Have a good day and give God praise for His greatness and glory!

“For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.” Galatians 3:15

The narrative today deals with Galatians 3:15-22 and is a discussion contrasting the relationship between the law and the promise of God!

 

Think about the promise to Abraham in the context of a law enacted by our government. You cannot add or take anything away from the law. It stands on its own without any editing.

Christ made the promise to Abraham by faith. He did not make it to anyone else. You can only come to Christ through the promise made to Abraham.

The law was given to Moses 430 years after the promise to Abraham. It does not annul in any way the covenant God made with Abraham. God never changes!

The inheritance promised to Abraham can only be obtained by faith. If you could achieve the inheritance by keeping laws then the promise would be null and void.

The law was given for one purpose; to prove conclusively that no one can keep the oracles of God. The law defines sin and proves it is impossible to please God without the promise of Christ.

The law was given through the work of angels and was entrusted to a mediator. The law requires more than one party to administer but God is one and He does not need any help.

The law compliments the promises of God. However, the path to the righteousness of God comes through the promise.

You and I live under the bondage of sin and this can only be broken by the promise of Christ.

Without faith it is impossible to please God!

 

Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” Galatians 3:11

Today, the narrative deals with Galatians 3:10-14. The admonition from Christ is “Do not substitute your faith in My promises for works in an effort to please Me”.

Come to God by faith. Trying to please God through works will bring a curse upon you.

The Cross abolished all the laws. They died with Jesus on the Cross. The works of God were finished on the Cross. You cannot add anything to this altruistic sacrifice of Christ.

You cannot be justified with God through the laws. This is because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. You are estranged from God and the only way you can be restored to God is through faith in Christ.

The laws were provided by God to demonstrate that no one can keep them. You would have to live in perfect submission under the laws to please God which is impossible.

If you choose to live by the laws you will bring a curse upon yourself. This is because you are making a mockery of the sacrifice of Jesus.

The righteous shall live by faith and are entitled to the blessings of God through the promises made to Abraham.

 

“Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Galatians 3:2

Good morning,

The study today deals with the first nine verses in Galatians chapter three. The subject deals with walking by faith and not becoming confused or misled by laws or works to please God.

The word from God today is “The altruistic sacrifice of Christ can never be respected or replaced by your works.”

The beginning of a relationship with God is accepting Jesus who was crucified and resurrected by the hand of God.

How can you deny the eye witness account of many who witnessed Christ crucified and testified about the gift of salvation?

The pathway to Christ is through the Cross. There is no other way.

You accept Christ by faith and receive the Holy Spirit. This gift from God comes without any entitlement or effort on your part.

The salvation of Christ is given to you by the Holy Spirit. This gift comes by faith not by works.

You become a new creature in Christ by faith and through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

The suffering of a Christ follower builds faith, confidence, and assurance in God. The precious work of the Cross enlightens you to know the reality of Christ and accept Him for who He.

Christ will never accept your works as a substitute for the Cross. The Cross builds the character of God within you.

You receive the Holy Spirit by faith. The Holy Spirit operates through your faith in God and fills you with the life of Christ and performs signs and wonders.

Abraham exemplified the life of a believer. He heard the voice of God and accepted His promises by faith. This transaction had nothing to do with works. Abraham believed God and his faith earned him the righteousness of God.

You and I have to come through the seed of Abraham to be a Christ follower. You accept Christ by faith and are blessed by Him through your faith in His promises.

Greetings,

The Holy Spirit has requested that I do a study of Galatians. This narrative will cover the first two chapters in the Book of Galatians.

Here are my findings inspired by the Holy Spirit about the Living Christ:

Many accept the gospel by faith and then transition to laws or works to justify themselves with God.

The mistake is striving to do something for God when He is simply telling you to walk by faith and understanding all things start with God not with man.

The efforts of religion tend to pervert the gospel.

The gospel is not intended to please you; it has been designed to please God.

The gospel comes to all by the revelation of God through the Holy Spirit not by the wisdom of man.

The knowledge of the gospel is learned by a personal relationship with God. You cannot understand God through human intellect or interpretation.

The Holy Spirit will direct your steps as you interact with others in the Body of Christ. The purpose of relating to believers is to bring glory to God.

There are many different seasons walking with Christ. There is a time of training, active ministry, and waiting on God. The Holy Spirit will navigate you through the seasons of God. Wait on God for His perfect timing!

At times, the gospel should be communicated privately in a way that respects others.

In presenting the gospel be aware of those people in your midst. There will always be a threat to diminish the truths of Christ and bring you into the bondage of religion.

Do not yield to the perversion of the gospel for even a moment. It will brainwash you with false teaching.

Build your foundation of knowledge on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Be cautious of those esteemed leaders in the church. They can add nothing to the revelation of Christ. God has no favorites in respect to teaching the gospel.

The truths of Christ will bear witness to you through the indwelling Holy Spirit. You will be able to discern truth from heresy. This is why Jesus said “My sheep hear My voice”.

The leaders in the Body of Christ are chosen by God, equipped with spiritual gifts and anointed by the Holy Spirit. The light of Christ working through them will be apparent to all.

My prayer is God will enlighten you with His truth and strengthen you in Christ!

“The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times. You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.” Psalm 12:6-7

The Word of God for today comes from Psalm 12. God delights in those who cry out to Him for help. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are open to your cries.

You cannot please Me by speaking words lacking the substance of Christ or boasting about yourself.

I examine your every word looking for hidden motives, prideful thinking or self gratification.

As a believer, you do not own the right to speak freely without the authority of the Holy Spirit governing your words.

There is a self indulgent attitude in our society believing there is no accountability for your words or actions. The prevailing attitude of “anything goes” leads to death and destruction.

I see those living under oppression and crying out to Me for help. I have not forgotten you! The prayers of a righteous believer stirs Me to action.

Now I will arise and deliver those living in deprivation. Call upon Me. I keep My promises.

I alone am God and there is no one like Me!

“Because disaster has come from the Lord,
even to the gate of Jerusalem.” Micah 1:12

God becomes angry over your sins and turns your life into shambles. After suffering from the severe judgments of God and repenting of your sins, He restores your life to reflect His character. This is the cycle of Christ and goes on and on through eternity.

Today, we are facing disaster and calamities because we do not fear or respect Christ. Our sin is rejecting Christ or trying to make Him conform to what we want Him to be.

The judgments of God are widespread and affect all. How should you and I respond to God today?

Recognize God is angry and you cannot escape His hand of judgment. He sees all. Nothing is hidden from Christ.

Don’t take God for granted! Come to Christ with an open heart to hear His voice.

Think of your life as a microcosm of the global judgment of God. Ask Christ to search your heart and reveal all things not pleasing to Him.

This includes your thoughts, your words, and your actions. God is looking for purity of heart and motives that reflect His values.

Christ will never change. We have to change to conform to His ways.

Christ is not motivated by your works. He delights in those who walk by faith believing in His promises.

Christ rewards those who diligently seek Him out through prayer and worship Him in Spirit and Truth.

Christ measures you by the quality of your faith. Do you seek Christ out for help to meet your every need?

Do you believe Christ keeps His Word when your life turns into shambles?

Do you see yourself for who you are? You are an unclean vessel and sold under sin without the blood of Christ.

Do you acknowledge Christ with respect and humility as the Creator of the heavens and earth? Your destiny is in His hands!

Do you live the life of a Christ follower or are you merely an imitator? Your actions speak louder than your words.

For in Him we live and move and have our being!

“That they may be one, even as we are one” John 17:22

The Word from God today is inviting Christ to transform your personality into His likeness.

Your personality was developed by many factors.

God created you in His image.

You were born to live for self and defy God.

You have inherited a genetic disposition to sin through your genealogy.

Your upbringing has influenced your personality.

The experiences in life have shaped your personality.

All of these factors contribute to your personality. They define you and influence your thoughts and decisions.

God’s plan is to unite your personality with the personality of Christ. You become one with God.

How does this happen?

You make a decision to live for Christ without any limitations.

This decision happens because the love of Christ touches the depth of your soul. You experience the unconditional love of God and witness His greatness and glory.

The epiphany of Christ is awakening to the truth He is your only hope for life. Nothing else matters.

At the moment of this decision, God begins to change your personality. He takes away your autonomy and desires to live for self. He shapes your character into His likeness. You begin to think and act like Christ.

Living in oneness with God happens through diligent prayer and an openness of heart to hear and obey Christ.

You find Christ through living in His Word and trusting the promises of God.

You walk by faith anchored to the Holy Spirit.

Christ is life changing! There is no one like Him.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

The definition of a namesake is having the same name as another person. In the context of a believer, you are a new creature in Christ Jesus. You are marked with the Cross and belong to Christ.

The challenge is how to live with this namesake. Christ wants you become like Him. You have a natural disposition to live for self and reject God.

This conflict will never go away as long as you are on this earth.

You become a believer by making a decision to accept Christ by faith. This is the beginning and end of your relationship with Him.

You walk with God by faith believing Christ calls things that don’t exist as if they did. Your prayers come to life and you see the goodness of God.

The premise of Christianity is living by this affirmation of faith; “My help comes from the Lord who created the heavens and earth.” Until you accept this in your heart and express this in every living moment of your life you will not know the Living Christ.

Faith brings the righteousness of Christ; not works, keeping laws, or practicing religion.

Christ lives in you through the Holy Spirit. He is the source of the resurrected power of Christ.

The Holy Spirit is the only way you can live in oneness with Christ. Worship Christ in Spirit and Truth. Listen to the voice of Christ and follow His leading.

Christ wants your loyalty above all else. And, loyalty to Christ has nothing to do with the conditions of your life.

Christ died so you can have an abundant life and live with Him forever.

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Live with Christ through His Spirit! He loves you!

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

Jesus cannot be touched by anyone on this earth. He lives in Heaven and is an invisible God. He shows glimpses of Himself to those who have faith in who He is.

Faith comes from living in oneness with Christ through His Spirit and trusting in His promises.

We tend to evaluate God by our emotions not by His Word. You will never come to know Christ through experiences or emotions. Your emotions will lead you astray from Christ.

You will please God by your faith. He is not attainable by works or keeping laws. He detests religion!

Christ wants your undivided devotion to Him regardless of the circumstances in your life. He lives today so you can live.

Christ wants your unwavering confidence in Him. Do not let the whirlwind of life become a distraction to living with Christ. Worship Him in Spirit and Truth.

The person of Jesus Christ is intangible but you can find Him through the Holy Spirit who dwells within you.

Jesus cannot be defined through your experiences. He comes to those who walk by faith!

Reach out to the Living Christ today. He loves you!