For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is […]
» Read moreThe 1828 edition of Webster’s Dictionary defines meekness as “Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations.” Interestingly Mr. Webster adds “Meekness is a grace which Jesus alone inculcated, and which no ancient philosopher seems to have understood or recommended.” (Imagine seeing a dictionary which says that today!). The main thought behind meekness is the foundation character of […]
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The concept of faith is quite extensively dealt with in Scripture with various examples, exhortations, and elaborations centering around a fuller understanding of its place in our lives. A book could easily be written on the subject, and indeed many have been. For our purposes, however, we will have to be limited to a basic, yet comprehensive overview of the […]
» Read moreUnderlying the word good in the New Testament are two Greek words, agathos and kalos, the former of which is used in Galatians 5, which we are considering presently. Both are general words that describe something of desirable quality. One has said that agathos envisions something to be good in terms of its results, while kalos names the sort of […]
» Read moreUnto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. – Psalm 112:4-5 We know within ourselves the difference between a favorable person and an unfavorable person. One is warm and friendly; the other is not ready to […]
» Read moreWhen was the last time you appreciated it when an acquaintance angrily snapped at you simply because of a misunderstanding of your words? When have you rejoiced over someone’s folding under the pressure of a trial? On the other hand, how can we not have joy in our hearts when we see a faithful believer endure until the end of […]
» Read moreAs believers, we are confident to know that relationally “being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is absolute, unconditional, and unchanging. Yet it is often much more difficult to come into the enjoyment of that peace, that is, the peace of God rather than peace with God. Basically, in each one of […]
» Read moreWhen was the last time you felt satisfied with a Christianity that was miserable, groggy, and depressing? Surely none of us feel satisfied with it; even so, we put up with it, thinking there is no other option. Sadly we hear all too often the phrase “Life sucks” coming out of our mouths, because we think that it is all […]
» Read moreThe word used for love in Galatians 5 is agape. The Lord Jesus said “Greater love (agape) has no man than this: that a man would lay down his life for his friends,” which tells us that this kind of love in its fullest, purest form is sacrificial in nature. (“Love is patient. Love is kind….”). Another word for love […]
» Read moreAs every mature Christian knows, sanctification is both from and toward. It is a very basic principle of life: one cannot both make progress and remain stationary. He must move forward from his current position that he might find another. So far in our look at Galatians 5 we have seen the “from” aspect of our profession, but where do […]
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