May 8, 2022
JUDGES 8-9:
Yesterday we heard of Gideon who led Israel in
a miraculous victory over the hoards of Midian using only three
hundred men. Gideon struggled with believing that God would
actually use him, and God was amazingly patient with Gideon— giving
him sign after sign. Because of this, Gideon really is not the best
example for us to follow of how to trust God and live a life of
faith.
PSALM 82:
Do
you ever get upset about injustice on earth? Here is a psalm for
you.
GALATIANS 4:
The
Jews called non-Jews ‘sinners’ because they did not follow the Law
of Moses. But the Jewish Christians themselves also become
‘sinners’ if they leave the old system of relying on the Law, but
then require non-Jews to be circumcised. The important thing is to
be joined as one with Christ, not simply being followers of a
religion. Being joined to Christ means dying (considering ourselves
to be dead) to old things (including religious
practices).
Yesterday in the 3rd chapter of Galatians we heard an important teaching about the purpose of the Law. The Law did not replace the promise that was given to Abraham. And the way for us to follow Abraham and become heirs to the promise given to Abraham (even if we are not his physical descendants) is through _fully believing_ as Abraham did.
NLT Translation notes:
Gal.
4:5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law,
so that he could adopt us as his very own
[sons//children].
[Paul
uses the legal Roman law term for the adoption of sons. By their
law, such adoption was irrevocable! Men feel squeamish at being
included in the Bride of Christ. So in this case, ladies, I suggest
that it is good for you to rejoice that you are included as having
the rights of sons. This same term occurs in Rom. 8:15, 8:23, 9:4,
and Eph. 1:5.]
6 And
because we are his [sons//children], God has sent the Spirit of his
Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba,
Father.”
7 Now you are no
longer a slave but God’s own [son//child]. And since you are his
[son//child], God has made you his heir.
9 So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God
[recognizes you as his sons//knows you]), why do you want to go
back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless
spiritual principles of this world?
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.