Note for 2024/05/17

‭Galatians 4:21 - ‭5:6 KJV‬

‭Galatians 4

[21] Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? [22] For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. [23] But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. [24] Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. [25] For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. [26] But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. [27] For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. [28] Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. [29] But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. [30] Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. [31] So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

‭Galatians 5

[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. [2] Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. [3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. [4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. [5] For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. [6] For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.4.21.KJV

The language here is somewhat complex, (for me at least.) But, I do understand the concept being preached. Friends, I do not want you to think I am a “know-it-all.” Mostly, I learn here with you, as I receive in the Spirit. Sin kept man in bondage, and it is true to this day, unless the forgiveness of sin is accepted in Jesus Christ, which means that the penalty of sin no longer falls on us, for Christ paid it on the cross. The Law defines what sin is. Jesus Christ bought us out of the bondage of sin with His Blood. Our righteousness comes thus of Him.

This morning, I overslept. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I remember the words Solomon wrote in Proverbs, "a little more sleep a little more slumber." And I am the one who silenced my alarm, the blame falls on me. Are we hearing the Spiritual Alarms? Do we know the times we are living in? The body that is weak to oversleep, that is understandable. It grows weary and tired, we grow old and struggle to do the things we once did. I am reminded in the Spirit, that at the age of 50, the Priest, in the Temple of GOD, was retired from the physical hard labor of it. I am now on the other side of that. At the same time, I also remember that Moses was 80 when GOD called him at the burning bush.

The Law, my friends, The Torah has more than just the 10 commandments we were taught. The circumcision is a mark for that, to uphold the whole Law, and that is what Paul is speaking about here. We are not led by the Law of Moses, but by the Holy Spirit that is of GOD in the Name of Jesus Christ. We obey the Spirit of GOD. We are not under the law, we are free in Christ Jesus who is our Hope unto Salvation. It is then in the Spirit that we should neither slumber nor sleep. When we are called by the Spirit, we should not delay our response. We will look a little more at that tomorrow, if GOD permits.

For today, take this to mind and ponder on it. Do you refrain from harming your neighbor because it is Law, or because you love your neighbor? That goes for all of the Law. You see, we do not have to bring sin offerings to the Altar of GOD anymore, Christ was that Sacrifice for us all. By bringing a sin offering, we annul the offering of Christ on our behalf. And is a sin offering not what is required by the Law of Moses? What we offer, in servitude to Christ, is then closer to a free-will offering, even a thanksgiving offer. Not that we can repay Christ, but we can honor Him for what He has done, and should. So, we love our neighbor not because it is required, but because it is what the heart wants, in love for our neighbor. Please do not forget that we stand in a new covenant, one that requires to be reborn.

Let's then use the example of me oversleeping this morning. I do not have to wake up early in the morning to have my quiet time. I want to. It is the desire of my heart. I want to start my day with GOD. It is a change of heart that took place in me, and I glorify GOD for it. I recognize the new creature in me, because it is unlike the old, entirely. Where once was rage, now peace dwells. Under the law it is a requirement to do all of the law, but in the Spirit, it is a heart's desire to do what is right, in love. Man can choose to love or hate, but what is founded in love can not produce hate. If hate then comes, then love must be denied, and to deny love is to deny GOD.

I hope this somewhat clears it up for some of you, at least. Please do not receive this as some form of bragging. No! It is testimony of how Christ changed me. Like all on this path, I am still on the road of deliverance and grace from GOD abounds. It is mercy from GOD that we have time to work through our issues. Christ is doing the work in me, my mind and heart are changed as I am convinced of my error. Then I walk in a new way. While some things are hard to overcome, many hard issues now lay in the rear view mirror, just as I will be sober 28 years in September, 2024, if the Lord keeps me here until then.

Do not lose hope. Stay strong. Where we still fail, the Blood of Christ remains to be our covering. But, we should not lack in effort and attempt, it is a heart matter, remember. So we stand in Liberty in Christ. So is Christ formed in us. It is no longer because the Law requires it, it is for the sake of want, a heart's desire. We want to Honor Him who Saved us. Sin has no hold on us, because we are forgiven. It is done.

Shalom

YouVersion Bible Verse of the Day

‭Luke 6:36 KJV‬

[36] Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.6.36.KJV

Search This Blog

The House of Bread