Daily Reading: 6-17-16
Galatians 3:15-22 New Living Translation (NLT)
Some times it is difficult to persuade people to look beyond their own perspective on a topic and/or experience just in case there is more to be known beyond a slight turn of the will. This can be true in our natural understanding or knowledge of the material world and in our spiritual understanding or knowledge of faith. The point is not necessarily that what is presently known or understood is a bad thing or without purpose; in fact the present knowledge and understanding can be quite beneficial. The point is there may be something ahead that actually builds upon that present perspective; a point of revelation to be encountered if we are willing to be taught. Such is the case with the Apostle Paul and his argument with the Galatians that we will read today. What is the topic of this dialogue? The “What” is the Law of Moses or specifically the Torah.
History: The Jewish leaders managed to make hundreds of rules and rituals (Torah) out of God’s Ten Commandments—moral and ethical standard that is consistent with His Love. In fact, those rules and rituals (Torah) governed almost every aspect of Jewish life. It was slavery and self-defeating, because no human could fulfill the Torah Law human’s actually created. lol… In the Gospels, Jesus confronted this reality all the time, because He revealed to the religious leaders of his time that they had actually broken God’s commands, found “loopholes” and convinced themselves they were obeying the Law while at the same time living self-centered, unrighteous, and greedy lives before the Father (Matthew 23:23-28). Humanity apart from authentic Love is a manipulating mess that denies the authority of God. Jesus, the Promise, came as the “descendant” of Abraham to bring forgiveness for humanity’s sinful or selfishly created “loopholes,” as well as the ability to live by the Spirit into newness of life. Jesus connects us with a new beginning in the Love of God. Let’s see how Paul explains freedom from the Law…