New Testament
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Galatians 5.1–6 No Matter…
The only thing that matters is ‘faith’s hearing’. It hears that Christ came to you to free you from whatever hindered and captured you—even the status of being born of the slave woman! In Christ, it works, and only in Christ. Continue reading
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Galatians 4:21–31 Of Woman but Free
Such ‘predestination’ and ‘foreknowledge’ only became valid for us and known to us in Christ, who took the trouble of transforming us from ‘of Hagar’ to ‘of Sarah’—still a woman, but whose name now represents the Spirit who freely gives birth to Abraham’s true, legitimate descendants through Christ. What grace that brings laughter! Continue reading
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Galatians 4.1–7 What the hearing of the faith brings
Until his father’s announcement to the household that this is a son of his he found again, and probably until after several days and weeks of actually living in that household as a son again, the gospel of grace, the acceptance, and the nullifying of what has been do not hit him—but his sonship had… Continue reading
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Galatians 3.15–29 Excuse me, do you have faith?
We are too used to hearing it, but it is actually amazing and unbelievable. Thanks to the teacher-slave, who actually used to exist and whose duty was to bring the master’s children to and from school in the ancient days, we have safely arrived at the giving of the promise and the essence of faith—the… Continue reading
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Galatians 3.1-14 Law’s working or Faith’s hearing
So then, what is the substance or object in which the Gentiles are to have faith or Abaraham is to believe? The fact that God does it, that it is God who gives you the reward without you doing anything, that he takes care of it, and that you just receive it Continue reading
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Galatians 2.11–21 The Law of Grace
I was saved from hanging on the cross myself, but with me now knowing him, God counts the death of Christ just as good as my own doing and honours it as my attitude and outcome. Continue reading
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Galatians 2.1–10 Law versus Grace
The thought and realisation of making that prophecy and promise come true through Christ is grace. Therefore, the law was originally grace. Continue reading
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Galatians 1 By Grace
Faith is given by grace. Grace precedes faith. God has grace in store for us even before we realise it with faith, just as the father waits for his son before even the prodigal begins to think of returning home Continue reading
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Philippians 4.15–23 Recognition
God’s glory is when God is shown as God, when his intention is realised, and when his desire is satisfied. Therefore, when we recognise each other in Christ, we glory God our Father, who fills our every need and holds us even tighter together as one body. Continue reading
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Philippians 4.8–14 Boldness (‘Be Strong and Courageous’)
Paul’s agenda is not at all about his capability but about the Philippians’ material contribution given to him. Well done! – he says, not because I am in need of it (v. 11). But because you are sharing in my trouble (v. 14). Continue reading