“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law…” (Galatians 4:4)

            Jesus didn’t live in a vacuum.  He grew up in a Jewish community, in a Jewish family, and lived by the Old Testament laws God had given to the Hebrew nation.  Why does this matter?

            It matters because if we are to fully understand Jesus, we must understand the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.  Jesus went to the temple, made offerings (not all offerings are for sin!), had to learn the Scriptures (see Luke 2:52), and follow the commands God laid down through Moses.  This is the context into which we receive the New Testament.  Context matters.

His first-century upbringing also matters because it reminds us that He knows what it is like to deal with the issues of family, culture, and political tension.  At times, His family relationships were complicated by His faith, and His service to God put Him squarely between the crossroads of politics and religion.  Navigating those waters was part of what He had to do, and His examples help us to understand how to do it, too.

God sent Jesus at the right time, the “fullness of time”, and the more we know about the historical context, the better we appreciate who our Savior is and how to imitate Him.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Galatians 4:1-8

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“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.” (Galatians 3:22)

            One of the dangers of the human condition is our ability to deceive ourselves.  We seem pretty comfortable creating a false narrative about our lives that skews our perception of ourselves.  We tend to view ourselves in a light that is far more positive (or at least more forgiving) than we deserve.  This false narrative hinders us from learning from our mistakes and making positive changes in our lives.  It also stops us from accepting accountability.

            One thing that regular Scripture reading does is shut down the excuses we give ourselves.  The Scriptures scream for our accountability for our sins.  You cannot read the Bible with a humble heart without realizing your own guilt.  It makes you feel bad because you can no longer shift the blame.  You damaged relationships, you broke trust, you crucified Jesus, you were unreliable and you were selfish.

            This is good.  We need this sort of accountability and self-assessment.  Without it, there is no room in our hearts for the promise of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  Let the Scriptures shut you up under sin.  Only then can Jesus reach your broken soul to offer forgiveness.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Galatians 3:20-29

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.” (Galatians 3:15)

Once a contract is signed, there is no going back – all parties are committed.  We understand that even in human agreements, you don’t just change the parts down the road when things get difficult.

God’s covenant speaks to His commitment to us through thick and thin.  He isn’t going to ditch you the first time life gets difficult.  He knows you fail, He knows you sin, and He knows you need Jesus.  The covenant is His promise to not lay you aside when the conditions get rough.

However, the commitment to the covenant is needed on our side, too.  We aren’t allowed to just keep the verses we like and ignore the rest.  The whole counsel of God must be understood by every generation because each generation must stand by His Word amid the battlefield of the culture and trials their particular generation must face.  We must each individually know His Word because it is His Word for us.  We cannot lay it aside or add to it when the world changes.  The covenant was permanently ratified upon the cross.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Galatians 3:10-19

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.” (Galatians 3:7)

            There is a difference between family and ancestry.  Ancestrally, the Jewish nation had biological connections to Abraham which were indisputable.  However, family isn’t necessarily about ancestry.  For example, adoptive families share no biology, but their bonds are clearly familial.

            The family of Abraham is made of those that follow his lifestyle of faith in God.  Abraham was led by his loyalty to God and made decisions which seemed inexplicable and even insane to those around who didn’t share his faith… but Abraham makes sense to us.  Faith in the God of heaven is worthy of full commitment.

            Christians may not share Abraham’s ancestry, but we are definitely of his family.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Galatians 3:1-9

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“But when Cephas came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.” (Galatians 2:11)

            A unique aspect of Christianity is its history of speaking truth to power.  Apostles were unafraid of opposing other apostles when they were in the wrong.  That’s what the apostle Paul did when the apostle Peter showed favoritism to Jews over Gentiles.  Peter’s behavior was hypocritical, and Paul called him on it.  Why?

            Because the truth is more important than any one individual.  In Jesus’ church, we are all sinners working on drawing closer to Him who is the Truth (see John 14:6).  Christianity, as a movement created by God, values what is right above all else.  We have no leader other than Christ.  Truth reigns in His kingdom, and any leader, whether it be elder, preacher, teacher, or pillar in the church can (and should) be questioned when their behavior or words don’t match how the Bible reads.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Galatians 2:11-21

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“They only asked us to remember the poor – the very thing I also was eager to do.” (Galatians 2:10)

            There have always been financial differences between Christians, and those financial differences can be caused by a number of things – including life events which are uncontrollable.  In the first century, Jewish Christians in Israel were, by and large, impoverished in comparison to their Gentile Christian counterparts spread across the Roman Empire.  This was due to things like famine, political circumstances, and a myriad of other factors.

            One goal for the apostleship was to not ignore the blight of poverty that afflicted Christians.  It is easy to turn a blind eye to the needs of other Christians – ironically, one of the benefits of financial success is the ability to remove discomfort, and if we aren’t careful, we can allow ourselves to become immune to the needs of others in our seasons of luxury.

            Be eager to remember the poor.  Be eager to remember that not all Christians have first-world problems.  Many, many of God’s people have third-world problems.  Find a way to use what you have to provide what they don’t.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Galatians 2:1-10

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me [the apostle Paul] is not according to man.” (Galatians 1:11)

            This verse gets to the heart of the religious apathy problem often seen in today’s culture.  It is a very small minority that have an open hostility toward the Bible, but the majority view seems to be that they can use and discard the teachings of the Bible at will.  We mistreat it like a good self-help manual or financial planner.  Take the parts you like; leave out the rest.

            I do that with books all the time.  I read a lot, and I often find myself grabbing on to sections which I find wildly useful and then dismissing the very next chapter as rubbish (or at least boring).  In an era of information overload, we have to be discriminating and filter out the stuff we don’t want… right?

            Except the Bible can’t be filtered.  It can’t be because God wrote it, not man.  It must be treasured and conserved and never dismissed.  It is a holy tome and worthy of full devotion and preservation.  We must take it all and apply intensity to our commitment because these words are not according to man; they are according to God.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Galatians 1:11-24

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Paul, an apostle, not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead.” (Galatians 1:1)

We cannot accept Jesus without accepting His apostles.  Paul made it clear that everything he wrote carried the full weight and authority of Jesus and His Father.  To accept Jesus is to accept the New Testament letters written by the apostles and prophets.

Jesus Himself said, “He who receives whomever I send receives Me, and he who receives Me, receives Him who sent Me.” (John 13:20)  There is a chain of authority that cannot be severed.  The Scriptures are linked to those who wrote them (the apostles and prophets), and the writers are linked to those who sent them (Jesus and the Father).

To read the Bible is to understand what Jesus wants us to know about Him and about life.  The Scriptures contain all things which pertain to life and godliness (see 2 Peter 1:3).

Matthew, Paul, Peter, and the other writers of the New Testament speak authoritatively about all things moral and eternal because they are authorized to do so.  Jesus stands by their words, and we must do likewise.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Galatians 1:1-10

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.” (2 Corinthians 13:8)

Christ’s soldiers must be soldiers of truth.  We must care more about what is right than anything else.  Paul spoke harshly to the Corinthians only because he had to… only because truth was more important than their feelings.  Paul refused to wield his authority for anything other than what was right.

Is that our reputation?  Are we known as those who stand by truth even when it hurts us to do so? Or even when it costs us?  Would you harm your marriage for truth? Or end a friendship over it? Would you sacrifice your pride to return to the truth? Or show yourself vulnerable to find it?

The truth puts us on the side of the King.  Lies always put us at odds with Him.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:1-14

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“…even though I am a nobody.” (2 Corinthians 12:11b)

            That phrase looks like it came from Eeyore, but it didn’t.  It came from the apostle Paul – arguably the most useful, effective, assertive evangelist in the history of the church.  Paul was a prolific writer, a determined apologist, and a nomad for the cause of Christ.  In his lifetime, he would plant the seeds for dozens of churches which spanned thousands of miles, unite the Jew and the Gentile cultures under a single Savior, and bring the gospel to the ears of Caesar’s own household.

            But Paul knew it for what it was – he was a nobody without Jesus.  It is a good reminder to us all.  Maybe you feel like a nobody – Jesus can use a “nobody”!  Maybe your pride is starting to get you thinking you are a somebody – think again.  Everybody needs Jesus, and nobody is anything without Him.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision