Chronos: Galatian 3 Series

This week we continue our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important because The Center’s leadership believes we are on the cuspid of a great awakening in America. An awakening that will challenge the status quo of the current Christian industrial complex. An institution more concerned with Attendance, Buildings and Cash than the Gospel, Grace and Growth of the kingdom.

This week we begin the book of Galatians. It’s another book written by Paul around 25 years after Jesus' earthly ministry. It’s written to a group of Jews and Gentiles in the central part of present day Turkey. Paul is writing to this church plant because false teachers had come to question not only what he had taught but his place among the leaders of the new movement. Pastor Peter offered a wonderful explanation of the scriptures and the origin of the Old Testament Law and connection to the New Testament understanding of the ramifications for now recognizing the Messiah has come. As a result, I’d like to pick up our study of Galatians at the end of chapter three and into chapter four. Now for some who might get alarmed because I am bridging between two chapters, please remember the breaks, paragraph titles and numbering within scriptures were not in original letters. They were added by scholars for easy reference.

Beginning in verse 23

23 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. 24 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.

Maybe we all should repeat this line. “Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian” The Old Testament scriptures detailing behavior and rules no longer apply as the litmus test for salvation. The Messiah’s arrival alters the requirement that we need to adhere to a set of rules around our behavior to be accepted by God into heaven. Faith in Jesus becomes the game changer.

Please note I didn't say belief. BELIEF IN Jesus is NOT ENOUGH. Even the Devil and his minions believe in Jesus.

Faith and belief are used interchangeably in our society. However, the New Testament DOES recognize that people can have false faith or incomplete belief, which is inadequate.

The difference is not between the two words but between the intent the words represent. BELIEF IS A mental agreement and FAITH IS A wholehearted commitment. In modern usage, belief often refers to mental agreement, and faith refers to wholehearted commitment.

As long as that distinction is maintained, it doesn’t matter which words are used.

Paul continues his rant against this heretical teaching…

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. This profession of the Christian faith recognizes the change that has taken place in Jesus. It reiterates our equality, worth and future under His reign. It also validates God's loving promise to return and make all things new and right.

Let’s listen to Paul try to simplify and apply the truth to his gentile audience beginning in chapter 4 verse 1.

4:1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

The past tense in verse 3 screams the truth we all need to embrace. We WERE stuck in our primal nature before His arrival. But now, we have a choice. You, who believe, have the power to overcome everything in your life that is holding you back, from being who He created you to be. The old nature has no hold unless you give it the power afforded you by Christ.