OUR FATHER WHO IS THE GOD OF JEW AND GENTILE 

Having established that the law has no power to save but rather an instrument to indicate to us that we are in need of salvation,  the Apostle Paul concludes Romans chapter 3 verses 21 - 31 with an exposition of the singular means of the provision of righteousness by faith to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

Paul states that all people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and in this condition, are freely justified by grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ whom God set forth as a propitiation by his blood which is gained through faith.

In this work of justification, God is shown to be righteous because Jesus, who is the exact representation of God, remained sinnless throughout His life even unto death on a cross.

And this absolute faultlessness of Jesus is what made sacrifice of His blood efficacious in providing redemption for any of mankind who believed and placed their faith in Jesus.

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

The apostle Paul then rhetorically asked if there was any credit that could be claimed by a mankind for righteousness through fulfilling any part of the law.

Paul answers his own question with  an unequivocal ˋNOˋ. He tells us that faith is the only mechanism by which righteousness is gained and therefore, no credit can be applied to any person for fulfilling any portion of their righteousness.

Because slavation for the Jews is by faith and salvation for the gentiles is by the same faith, God is the God of all mankind and has made the same provision of redemption for all of mankind.

Paul then asked if the law is nulified because of faith and to this he answered ˋNOˋ but he asserts that the law is established and meets its fulfilment through faith in Christ.

Amen

20

 OUR FATHER WHO SEARCH FOR THOSE WHO SEEK HIM

In Roman chapter 3 verses 10 - 20, the Apostle Paul presents Psalm 14 to establish the benchmark of the human condition where all humans, without exception, are in a state of corruption and have become unusable for their intended purpose.

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

1O As it is written:

“There i none righteous, no, not one;

11 There is none who understands;

There is none who seeks after God.

12 They have all turned aside;

They have together become unprofitable;

There is none who does good, no, not one.”

13 “Their throat is an open tomb;

With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;

“The poison of asps is under their lips”;

14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;

17 And the way of peace they have not known.”

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 2O Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Paul strongly asserts that there cannot be justification by following the law because the law is mere a tool that provides a metric for our sinfulness by simply having knowledge of it and finding that we have no capacity to fulfill it.

Amen.

8

OUR FATHER WHOSE WORD OUTWEIGHS THE WORD OF ALL HUMANITY

In the book of Romans chapter 3 verses 1 -  8, Paul continues his analysis of the false  legalistic doctrines that are being introduced to the believers in Rome.

With all the controversy around the validity circumcision, Paul rhetorically asks if there was ever any value to the Jewish rite at all. He answers affirmatively by indicating that the word of God was entrusted to the Jewish people and part of this privilege carried the responsibility to embody the physical symbols of the underlying spiritual laws such as circumcision which, in being a physical separation of the body, represented the requirement of a spiritual separation from the things of the flesh.

Paul then asks if the Jews, having been privileged to carry the word of God, were unfaithful, would that not show that Godˋs Himself was unfaithful because He couldnˋt keep those were His people. Paulˋs answer was that all mankind, Jewish and otherwise, were subject to the same fall and the same corruption and were thus equally given to sinfulness and were equally liable for their conduct.

1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”

5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!

Paul wrote that one could then ask that if humanity was prone to sinfuless, is Godˋs judgement on us not unfair and unjust?

Paul responds to this by pointing out that if that were truly the case, God would not be able to judge the world but the fact that humans break the law is a reflection of their corrupt nature and not the unfairness of the law. The law merely makes evident what defects exist in mankind due to the fall and as such, mankind can be rightly judged under the law.

The application of the law to expose the fallen nature of mankind does indeed glorify God because it shows how holy and righteous He is but this does not mean that humans should continue to sin so as to glorify God. Humans, having been made in the image and likeness of God and having been shown by the law that they are corrupted, must be shown by God the pth of life by which they may return from corruption to restoration.

Amen.

16

OUR FATHER WHO REQUIRES THAT WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT

The Apostle Paul, in chapter 2 verses 25 - 29 of his letter to the Romans, continues with his deconstruction of the claims of those who taught that believers had to adhere to the laws of Moses.

Paul makes the case that to outwardly follow the law is fruitless because doing so is a function of the flesh underwhich it will fail and be condemned. 

Paul informs his readers that the external circumcision is merely a pointer towards the internal circumcision  of the flesh which is by the Spirit and which is what gains the approval of God.

 25 Circumcision has value if you  observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

Amen.

4

OUR FATHER IS DISHONORED WHEN PEOPLE CLAIM HIS LAW BUT YET BREAK IT

The book of Romans Chapter 2 verses 17 - 24 says this;

17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul focuses on those who had pursued the law as the path to rghteousness and who had claimed title to the knowledge of God and His will.

Amen.

10

OUR FATHER WHO IS AN IMPARTIAL JUDGE

Chapter 2 of the Apostle Paulˋs letter to the Romans from verses 1 - 16 pronouces mankind to be without excuse before God and  that all sin will be impartially judged. 

Paul lists the people to whom the judgement of God would visit;

• Those who deign to be judges while practicing the very things they judge
• Those who ignore the call of God to repentance that He offers out of His goodness
• Those whose hard hearts do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness 

1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

The apostle Paul clarifies that those that sinned as Gentiles without the law will perish without the law and those that sin in the law will be judged by the law. Paul notes that merely hearing the law does not exculpate a person from judgement but rather doing the things in the law. 

Paul explains that the gentiles, even without the law, are subject to the law written in their hearts which acts as their consciences that counsel them on wrong and right actions. This conscience accuses them of wrong doing and they can either seek repentance or they can excuse their actions but either way, the judgment of God will expose the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.

12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

The perfection of Christ and His sacrifice of His life and the shedding of His blood is the only way through faith in Him that is given for salvation from the coming judgement for He fulfilled the law in its totality and yet was killed and thus took the judgement for any who would believe in Him and the efficacy His sacrifice to save.

Amen. 

12

OUR FATHER WHOM WE NEED TO GET TO KNOW  

The book of Romans chapter 1 verses 26 - 32 continues with the Apostle Paulˋs indictment of mankind in our fallen state.

We humans, who were meant to be rulers over the works of the hand of God and to be crowned by God with glory, got into a position where we discarded the knowledge that we had of the incorruptible God and debased ourselves by worshiping objects made out of the stuff of creation including ourselves. This inversion of the nature of Godˋs highest creation caused us to become subjects  and victims of the prevailing rulership of the kingdom of rebellion and in response, God, respecting our free choices, relinquished us into the domain of those who were in open defiance of the creator.

Under this dominance, we humans began to manifest the rebellious actions against our God and we found ourselved involuntarily being induced into contravening the pattern that should have corresponded to the devine nature in whose image we were created.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For, even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

The wholesale ingestion of the rebellious nature in both our physical expressions and our minds changed us from being generative, supportive and loving beings into recalcitrant nihilists who could not help but give expression to all the deeds and attitudes that we knew would invite the judgement of God.

The astonishing thing is that it was for us in our condition that Christ died to redeem us out of the bondage we had sold ourselves into and all we need to do be retrieved out of the kingdom of rebellion we were born into is to voluntarily believe in the authenticity of the salvation offered by Christ. Once we are redeemed, we can then voluntarily submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus as willing members of the kingdom of God rather than living in the kingdom of God by compulsion.

In all this history and redemptive action, God gets people into his family who come to him by their own free will and if any people prefer to stay out of Godˋs family, they are also not compelled in any way and are free to do anything they desire to do.

Amen.

15

OUR FATHER WHO HAS MADE HIMSELF KNOWN IN CREATION

In the book of Romans chapter 1 verses 18 - 25, the Apostle Paul, having explained the faith paradigm of salvation, presents our nature as that of fallen beings who were able to understand that there was a God who made us and to whom we were answerable and that we needed salvation in order to re-establish a relationship with Him. Paul indicts the fallen man for ungratefully failing to glorify our creator and as a result, our minds were darkened and we became fools even though we proclaimed ourselves to be wise and this led us into the worship of images of humans and creatures from the animal kingdom. 

We bowed down to worship the very things we were made to rule over as Psalm 8 describes when answering the question, ˋWhat is manˋ?

 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:

7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild,

8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

In this degraded state of worshipping artifacts of creation,  we humans turned to the practice of unclean activities and pursued whatever cravings entered our hearts even if it meant the dishonoring of our own bodies.

We traded the truth of God for a deceptive alternate understanding of reality so that our allegencies could be directed to the creation instead of the creator who is infinitely more worthy of honor and blessing than anything in creation. 

The Apostle Paul explained it this way;

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Amen

19

 OUR FATHER WHOSE GOSPEL CARRIES HIS POWER UNTO SALVATION OF MEN

After starting with an introduction of himself and a blessing, the apostle Paul, in Romans chapter 1 verses 8 - 15, expresses his gratitude to God for those in Rome who were standing in the faith to such a degree that they were renown in the whole world.

Paul tells them that he continually prayed for them and asked that he would be able to come to them because he longed to impart spiritual gifts to them in order than they may become more stable and assured in their walk of faith.

 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

The apostle Paul revealed to the believers in Rome that he frequently planned to come to their city to share in what had been borne among them in the same way that he shared in the fruit among other gentiles who had come to the faith.

Paul informed the Romans that he had a duty to the Gentiles and the barbarians in his calling and so he is always glad to preach the gospel among them for he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for the message itself is a self-contained module of Godˋs power that had the strength to bring people unto salvation if they believed the message and this is equally applicable among the Jews and the Gentiles. The gospel contains withn it, the revelation of the righteousness of God and continued to propel those with growing faith to righteousness to fulfil the precept of law which says, ˋThe just shall live by faithˋ 

Amen.

12

OUR FATHER WHOSE GOSPEL IS GIVEN INTO THE CHARGE OF APOSTLES TO CARRY TO THE WORLD

Starting an examination of the book of Romans, we look at the introduction that the Apostle Paul gives of himself to the saints in the city of Rome who were to be the recipients of his letter.

Paul first gives his volutarily chosen title which was a bondservant of Jesus Christ. A bondservant is one who has given the whole of his life to the service of his master. 

He then gives the title of his calling of an apostle which was an appointment from God that separated him for the work of serving the gospel.

Paul describes this work of the gospoel, though he was a pioneering its spread in the gentile world, to be something that was promised through the ancient prophets in the scriptures.

What was prophecied was that the one named Jesus Christ would be born in the lineage of King David and that this Jesus would be identified as the Son of God by the Spirit of Holiness in which He walked and by His ressurection from the dead when he was slain of a cross.

Paul wrote that he first received grace and  then the calling of apostleship to take the faith in Jesus to all nations among whom were the recipients of his letter.

He then blessed those called to be saints in Rome by pronouncing over them grace and peace from the Father and the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

And so begins this monumental letter.

Amen.

4

OUR FATHER WHO MAKES US A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST

In the book of Galatians chapter 6 verses 11 - 18, the Apostle Paul, approaching the end of his letter to the Galatians, notes that his personal handwriting is in large font but he turned his focus back to the primary issue that the Galatians were being confounded by.

They were being persuaded by false teachers that to attain righteousness, they needed physical circumcision. Paul attributted this conduct to the instinct of avoiding persecution for the cross of Christ which asserts that there is no route to righteousness other than faith in what Christ did for us there. The cross is the sentence of death upon our flesh so that the things of the world are dead to us as well.

Paul notes that even those who were circumcised did not keep the law in full and were only using their influnce over those who they were compelling to be circumcised as a badge of honor for themselves.

He tells the Galatians that that in Christ, circumcision or otherwise gains nothing. In Christ, there is only the new creation in which the categories of physical circumcision are irrelevant.

11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Paul blesses those who are ensconced in truth of salvation by faith alone and he blesses the Israel that is in God.

Paul then concludes his letter by instructing the Galatians that they should not trouble him because he had bourne the sufferings of the cross upon his body and blesses them by asking that the grace of the Lord Jesus be with their spirits.

Amen.

10

OUR FATHER WHO IS NOT MOCKED

In chapter 6 of his letter to the book of Galatians from verses 1 - 10, the Apostle Paul changes subjects. He had been talking about the need to walk in the spirit to avoid fulfilling the works of the flesh and now he adresses those who are successfully walking in the spirit on how to help those who are being influenced by the flesh.

He first advises them to gently take the responsibility for the care of their fellow believers but to be cautious lest because it makes them vulnerable to temptations.

He advises them not to think too highly of themselves because they could mis-value themselves but he tells them to examine their own work to make sure they are fulfilling the things they were called to do for each person has a set of functions that they are expected to fulfill as individuals.

For those receive insight into the ways of the spiritual walk from others, Paul advises them to share all good things like encouragement and support.

 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Paul warns the Galatians not to be deceived into thinking that there is no consequential difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the spirit. If a man invests his time on the things of the flesh, he will reap corruption. If on the other hand he invests in the things of the spirit, he will reap eternal life.

His encouragement to them is not to stop doing what is good even when it looks like nothing is being gained by it especially good towards the faithful believers.

Amen.

8

OUR FATHER WHO IS PLEASED WHEN WE WALK IN THE SPIRIT

In the book of Galatians chapter 5 verses 16 - 26, the apostle Paul clearly makes the distinction between the works of the flesh and the works of the spirit.

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.                

Paul lists the works of the flesh and the works of the spirit

 Flesh                                                     Spirit

Adultery                                                 Love

Fornication                                           Peace

Uncleaness                                           Longsufering

Lewdnes                                               Kindness

Idolatry                                                  Goodness

Sorcery                                                  Faithfulness

Hatred                                                    Gentleness

Contentions                      

Jealousies    

Outbursts of wrath

Selfish Ambition

Dissensions

Heresies

Envy 

Murders

Drunkeness

Revelries

Conceit

Paul writes that the believers should walk in the spirit because doing so leads to conduct against which there is no law.

If we find ourselves bearing the fruit of the flesh as listed, we can be sure that we are walking in the flesh. In order to yield the fruit of the Spirit, we must live from our spirits.

In the book of Romans chapter 8 verses 5 - 7, Paul writes that a person whose is governed by the flesh will physically do the things of the flesh and yield sin and death while conversely, a person whose mind is governed by the Spirit will desire the things of God and yield life and peace.

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

With the understanding that the flesh is not the physical body but rather the spirit of a person that was corrupted by inheritance from Adam, we who born-again are encouraged to displace the influence of the flesh on our minds with the influence of our new spirita on our minds. 

This means that we must daily connect to our new spirit and perform the functions that nourish and strenthen our new spirits because when we centering our identities in our new spirits rather than letting ourselves operate in the flesh by default, we will find ourselves automatically doing the things that please God rather than being led into the things that our flesh wants to do.

Amen. 

140

OUR FATHER WHO GIVES US LIBERTY

Galatians chapter 5 verses 7 - 15 captures the Apostle Paulˋs challenge to the believers in Galatia to cleave to the truth of the gospel of faith and not to heed the ones who were bringing in contrary doctrines of obligations to follow the law.

Paul told them that the law they were to follow was the law of love which was the ultimate aim of the Mosaic law anyway. 

He introduces the concept of the ˋoffence of the crossˋ to them to show them how following the truth will necessarily evoke persecution from those who are not following the Spirit. He points out to his readers that if he were preaching the law, he would not have incurred the persecution he was recieving.

7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Paul urges the believers not to use their freedom as an opportunity to pursue the purposes of the flesh but rather, to use their freedom to love and serve one another.

He warns that in a culture that eschewed love and instead fostered conflict and exploitation would result in everyone being consumed.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO SETS US FREE

The Apostle Paul, in the book of Galatians chapter 5 verses 1 - 6 urges the believers in Galatia to be uncompromising in their dedication to the freedom that Jesus Christ had provided for them and to be diligent in avoiding being entrapped in the false pursuit of attaining righteousness by adhering to the law. 

 5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. 

To make his case further, the apostle Paul warns the Galatians that trying to attain righteousness by following one part of the law obligates them to follow the entirety of the law.

Instead, he advises the Galatians to remain in the Spirit trusting that their righteousness would be fully attained by faith through love in Christ Jesus.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO SETS US FREE FROM THE LAW

In the fourth chapter in his letter to the Galatians from verses 21 - 31, the Apostle Paul further challenged the inclination of the Galatians to revert to following the law as a suppliment for righteousness.

Paul wrote that if they truly wanted to follow the law, that they should actually listen to what the law is saying and he brought up the two sons of Abraham as the metaphoric principle.

The first son, Ishamael, was born when Abraham and his wife Sarah tried to remedy their childlessness by their own plan and involved Sarahˋs servant Hagar.

The second son, Isaac, was born when Abraham believed Godˋs promise to him inspite of seemingly impossible odds. 

The first was born by the action of the flesh and the second was born by the action of the Spirit. 

The first represents Mount Sinai where the law was given and the second represents Jerusalem where the promise was given and where the promise of the sacrifice of promised Son of God was fulfilled. At present, Jerusalem is in captivity along with her children but the spiritual Jerusalem is free and it is the city that ensconces us or governs all who have faith in the promise.

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren,

You who do not bear!

Break forth and shout,

You who are not in labor!

For the desolate has many more children

Than she who has a husband.”

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “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.

Paul summarizes his argument by saying that we, believers in Christ, are children of the promise just as Isaac was and just as Ismael harassed Isaac, the children of the bondwoman persecute the children of the promise. In the end, the son of the bond woman was cast out and  was not counted as an heir. 

Paul then finalizes his counsel to the Galatians by asserting that they were children of the free woman and not subject to the bondage of the law as was the son of the slave.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO KNEW US BEFORE WE WERE BORN

The fourth chapter of Apostle Paulˋs letter to the Galatians  from  verses 8 - 20 brings up the apprehension that Paul was feeling regarding the propensity the Galatians were showing for reverting to their idol worship.  Paulˋs concern was that all his wok to bring them to the knowledge of the one True God was going to add up to nothing when the Galatians returned to their tribal gods and tracking the calendar events that marked the dates on which their former religious practices occured.

 8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Paul urges his readers to follow his example by which he, inspite of a severe physical debilitation, he preached to them. He acknowledged that the Galatians had seen past the physical issues he was having and they recieved him as an angel of God and perhaps even as they would have if he were the Lord Jesus Himself.

They were so enthusiastic to supoprt him that they would have donated their own eyes if they could help him see better. 

Now that he was  rebuking them for their backsliding, he wondered if they were going to start considering him to be an enemy.

17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.  19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
 

The passage continues with a warning from Paul about the arrival of some people who were going to try to seduce them away from the truth and towards the weak and beggarly elements of alternate beliefs. 

In response to this development, Paul undertook to pray and labor for them so that they would mature to the point because he had lost confidence in them.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO  SENT FORTH THE  SPIRIT OF HIS SON

The Apostle Paul, in Galatians chapter 4 verses 1 - 7, addresses the question of the period of latency where those who were destined to be in family of God remained in bondage under the elemental spiritual forces of the world until the auspicious time arrived and the Son of God entered into the world born under the law to redeem those who were under the law so that the children of God, who were indistinguishable from slaves, might be adopted as bona fide sons.

1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 

And these newly-minted sons, upon recieving the seal of the Spirit, could now legitimately cry out to God as they Dad and Father and as a son, an heir of God through Christ.

Amen

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OUR FATHER WHO PROVIDED FOR US TO BECOME HIS CHILDREN THROUGH FAITH

In the third chapter of his letter to Galatians from verses 19 - 25 , the Apostle Paul rhetorically asks the question of what purpose the law served if faith is all that was required to be admitted into the family of God. He then explains that the function of the law was to govern (or to benchmark) transgressions until the Seed (Christ) arrived among those to whom the promise was made.

The law was introduced after the promises were given to demonstrate  how contrary to the standards of God we actually were. The law, enforced  through angels, was delivered by  a mediator (Moses) who was to mediate between God and man. Mediation is typically conducted between two parties who are at an impass but in this case, God is the singular party who is undertaking the liabilities of all sides and thus everything is encompassed in Him.

19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

The law does not contradict the promises of God and is not in competition with faith as the means by which righteousness is attained. 

Paul explains that if the law could provide righteousness, then the law would have been reserved as the single the gateway by which men could enter the family of God. However, the law only imprisons men and confines them to their conviction of sin so that when the promise of God is presented, they  would be able to believe and react in faith to the good news of the salvation provided by God. This reaction of faith is what confers the righteousness of Christ upon us.

 The law, as a tutor, educated us to our true condition of needing salvation but when the promised Salvation arrived, we were no longer in need of the tutor.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise..

The apostle then reveals one of the implications of the universality of the law and

promise. Because we are all (without exception) saved by the same mechanism of faith, in the family of God, there is no distinction between the Jews or the Gentiles, slaves or free, male nor female. 

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHOSE PROMISES ARE YEAH AND AMEN THROUGH CHRIST

In the 3rd chapter of the book of Galatians chapter from verses 15 - 18, the Apostle Paul tackles the concept of the efficacy of faith as the means of conferring righteousness upon those who would be justified. 

Whereas the law had a mechanism called inheritance by which families could confer advantages from generation to generation, the law, having come four hundred and thirty years after the estalishment of the promise God gave to Abraham, could not annul the pre-existing promise which God made to Abraham and to his Seed (singular).

This promise was given to Abraham and by extension, to the One who would come through his linage. This promise was secured by Abraham by his believing the promise and this faith was attributed to him as righteousness. Thus, we who would aspire to be justified, believe in the promise and this faith is how we too are justified because we are made righteous before God. 

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER BEFORE WHOM WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

The book of Galatians chapter 3 verses 9 - 14 contains the Apostle Paulˋs sophisticated and condensed analysis of the function of the law vis-à-vis justification by faith.

First, Paul invoked the principle that a curse would befall anyone who did not completely follow the law. This meant that if at anytime a person was unable to follow the letter of the law, they were subject to its judgement and if anyone tried to follow any part of the law as a means of attaining righteousness, they were obligated to follow the entirety of the law. This requirement meant that trying to qualify as righteous under the law was utterly impossible for any human. 

To compound matters, the book of Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 4 says this;

But the just shall live by his faith.

This precept asserts that only those who lived by faith would be qualify as justified.

It is into this insurmountable equation that Christ came to the earth and was able to live a life that was perfect under the law by fulfilling every requirement of the law since is birth. In His perfection, He subjected Himself to the ignominy of death on a cross and in doing this, He became a curse because it was written in the law that anyone who hangs on a tree was cursed. 

The gospel unto salvation that Paul preached was the synthesis of these strictures where there was only person who ever fulfilled all righteousness under the law. 

The rest of the human race was condemned to the judgement of death under the law but because living by faith was the means by which justification before God could be attained, we who were condemned by the law, could live by faith in the One who had fulfilled the law and in doing so, we are are able to come out from under the sentence of death under the law because Christ, the one who had attained  righteousness under the law, was condemned under the law on our behalf.  

Faith is the mechanism by which the righteousness of Christ is conferred upon us thus justifying us. This faith is the same faith that Abraham lived by and was justified before God and all of us from the realm of the gentiles have access to this mechanism of faith by which we are justified before God and can receive the promise of the Spirit of God by which we can live unto God.

 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written,e  “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Amen.

4

 OUR FATHER WHO DOES MIRACLES AMONG US

In the book of Galatians chapter 3 verses 1 - 9, the Apostle  Paul confronts the Galatians with the concern that he had pertaining to how they had been bewitched into abandoning their new life founded on faith and reverting to a life of obeying the law as a way of attaining righteousness.

Paul asks the Galatians if the new life they had started in the spirit was now going to be perfected in the flesh. 

Paul presses the point by asking the Galatians if the Spirit that they had in their midst who did miracles, did the miracles by faith or by works.

Paul then reaches the pinnacle of His argument by pointing out that if Abrahamˋs faith is what was accounted to him as faith and that his faith was the forerunner that would will be given to all the families of the world, how then would reverting to the law for righteousness provide the pedigree of belonging to the family of Abraham.

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHOSE SON LOVED US AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR US

Paul, in Galatians chapter 2 verses 11 - 21, records an intense friction point that occured because of the lack of conviction regarding the ultimate source of righteouness. Under contention was whether it came from following the law or if it came solely through faith in Christ. 

Even though the original disciples like Peter and James were living in grace among the gentiles, their conduct was being influenced by the presence of the Jews who were equating adherance to the law as the final source of righteousness. As such, Peter would withdraw from associating with the gentiles when Jewish contingencies came into their midst so as not to draw their ire for breaking the commandment to keep separate from the Gentiles.

Paul, observing this conduct, directly confronted Peter by asking if it was reasonable to ask the Gentiles to live as Jews under the jewish law when those who were actually born under the law were not compelled to live under the law because it had been understood that no one could be justified under the law.

Paul presses further by asking if those who had been justified in Christ were found to be sinners and in need of the law to provide righteousness, was Jesus Christ now to be understood as a minister of sin?

The clarification of the matter comes in the last part of this passge: A believer in faith is crucified with Christ and it is no longer the believer who lives but Christ who lives in him.

The life of the flesh is now lived by faith in the the Son of God who loved each believer and gave Himself for us. Paul declared that at no time did he set aside the grace of God because if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ would have died for nothing. If the righteousness under the law was all that was needed to fulfill all righteousness, then men could have just worked to fulfill the law and be declared righteous based on that.

But the law cannot save because it is designed to administer death and in the context of Christˋs work on the cross, once faith in Christˋs salvation is gained, it is the law that is employed to administer the sentence of death to the flesh.

11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Amen.

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