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Daily Bible Reading “Bear One Another’s Burdens” (Galatians 6:1-9)

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Bear One Another’s Burdens

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 6:1-9. As we continue in the book of Galatians with Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul exhorts the brethren who are spiritual to restore anyone who is overtaken in a fault, with meekness; for fear that they may also be tempted. What do you think Paul means by this?

Paul tells them to bear one another’s burdens so that they may fulfill the law of Christ. Paul may be saying to them, “Instead of imposing the law as a burden upon your fellow Christians, you should lift their burdens by restoring them to fellowship with Jesus Christ, thus fulfilling Christ’s law.”

As Christians we aren’t to judge one another, but we are to support, encourage, and uplift one another. Paul warns the Galatians about being judgmental and tells them to treat each other with gentleness. Today, we can’t be prideful, because we too could be tempted. Everybody makes mistakes from time to time. Paul is not talking about someone who habitually chooses to sin. He is talking about someone who is overtaken by sin, and repents sincerely desiring not to commit the sin again.

Rather than criticizing someone and tearing them down even further with gossip, Paul says we’re to restore them. We don’t need to ignore sin and act like it didn’t happen, but we need to help them to recover from their sin. We need to pray for them and lift them up to God rather than gossiping about their faults.

Paul says that if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing he deceives himself. The Bible says that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and that none of us are righteous (Romans 3:10).

Let every man prove his own work, and then he can celebrate in himself alone and not in another. Every man has to bear his own burden. In this life we all have burdens to bear. Some of them other people can help us with, and some of them we have to work through ourselves, with the help of God.

Those who are trained in the Word are to communicate with those who teach in all good things. Paul warns the Galatians not to be deceived, because God is not mocked, whatever we sow we will reap. If you sow to the flesh you will reap corruption, but if you sow to the Spirit you will reap life everlasting. Paul says to not get weary in doing well, we will reap in due season if we don’t faint.

If we do things that are wrong we will suffer the consequences. There are always consequences for the decisions we make. If we make right choices there will be rewards for them as well.

I exhort you to do as this Scripture says and fight the good fight of faith: 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 6:1-9

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

Things to think about:

  • How does Paul advise us to handle a brother who is overtaken by sin?
  • What does Paul say about sowing and reaping?
  • What is the difference in sowing to the flesh or to the Spirit?


Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul says to restore those who have fallen. Help us to be humble when dealing with such a situation. Give us wisdom in knowing how to handle these kinds of things. Help us to sow to the Spirit so we can reap life everlasting. Give us strength to fight the good fight of faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

– Galatians 6:2

 

– This is an excerpt from my book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16-26)

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Walk in the Spirit

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 5:16-26. Paul continues with his letter to the churches at Galatia instructing them to walk in the Spirit so they won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Do you know what Paul means by telling them to walk in the Spirit?

When Paul speaks of the Spirit, he is talking about the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity. God is made up of three parts – God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. When a person gets saved, or accepts Jesus as their Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live within the new believer. He helps to lead, guide, and direct him to do the right thing in his life. He also comforts the believer.

The flesh (our earthly body) lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. The flesh and the Spirit oppose one another, which causes us not to be able to do the things that we know are right sometimes. It is like a war is going on inside of us. It is the war against good and evil. If you are led of the Spirit, you aren’t under the law.

Paul includes a long list of sins that are manifest in the body, in Galatians 5:19-21, when you turn your will over to the desires of the flesh, by listening to and giving into the temptation to do wrong. Paul says those who practice these things won’t inherit the kingdom of God.

In Romans 7 Paul talks about the “inward man,” which is the “Spiritual man” and the “outward man,” which is the “flesh” and how there is a battle that goes on between the two of them. He talks about how sometimes we know that we should do good, but we don’t do it.

In this Scripture in John, Jesus Himself is talking to Nicodemus and tells him “You must be born again.” John 3:5-7:
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

When we are born into this world of our mother we are born of water and of the flesh. Since the fall of Adam every person who is born of the flesh is born in sin. To be born of the Spirit you have to accept Jesus as your Savior, and then the Spirit comes and abides with you.

In this Scripture, Paul talks next about the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These are the characteristics that a Christian living in the Spirit should have. Paul says that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh, including its affections and the lusts of the flesh. Look at these two sets of characteristics and see where they fit into your life.

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Once you become a Christian all the sins you have committed are covered by Jesus’ blood through His death on the cross. He took the punishment for our sins.

If you are a Christian, does that mean you will always do the right thing or act the right way? No, it doesn’t, because we still have the flesh – our earthly desires and temptations – to deal with in this life. The more you study God’s Word and develop a closer relationship with Him the more you will see the Spirit at work in your life. Paul says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Not desiring vain glory, provoking one another or being envious of one another.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 5:16-26

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

Things to think about:

  • What are considered to be the works of the flesh?
  • What are the fruits of the Spirit?
  • In what ways are you walking in the Spirit?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul talks about the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh. Help us to always follow the Spirit in our lives. Forgive us of the times we have let the flesh rule in our lives. Give us strength day to day to do Your will. Help us to have the fruit of the Spirit alive and working in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16

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– This is an excerpt from my book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Recipe for Life

 

Daily Bible Reading “Stand Fast” (Galatians 5:15)

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Stand Fast

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 5:15. As we continue with Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Paul tells them to stand fast in the liberty and freedom of Christ and warns them not to get entangled with the yoke of bondage. Don’t mistake this freedom of Christ to mean you can go out and do whatever you want. That’s not what it means.

The freedom we have in Christ is freedom from sin. The freedom Christ died for was to cover our sins on the cross so we didn’t have to try to earn our way to God by trying to perfectly follow all the rules and regulations of the Old Testament. Even though Christ died on the cross to free us from sin, a lot of people still live under bondage trying to earn their way to Christ by thinking they are good or by trying to do good things.

Those who live in the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. In Jesus Christ it doesn’t matter whether you are circumcised or not. It is faith that works love. Paul reminds the Galatians that they were running well, and asks who hindered them and caused them not to obey the truth? Paul knew they had been persuaded by someone other than the one who first called them to faith in Christ.

Paul says a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Leaven is yeast, which makes bread rise. You only have to put a little bit of yeast in bread to make the whole batch rise. It’s kind of like saying one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. When you get wrong doctrine, or sin, in a body of believers it will eventually spoil the whole group.

Paul tells them he has confidence in them in the Lord, that they will be like-minded. Paul declares that whoever is trying to influence them otherwise will be judged by God. Paul’s desire was those who were causing this trouble in the churches of Galatia to be cut off from them.

Paul asked them if he was still preaching circumcision or the law, then why was he being persecuted. He reminds them if they were going to follow the law they have to follow the whole law; they can’t just pick and choose what parts they want to follow, in order to feel like they were good enough to get to heaven. If we were justified by the law, we would be fallen from grace. Christ died on the cross to free us from the bondage of living under the law. Why would we want to go back to living under the law, when we can be free?

Paul tells them they have been called to liberty; however, they aren’t to use that liberty to satisfy the flesh. He encourages them to serve one another in love. He says, all the law is fulfilled in this one statement, “Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Paul warns them if they fight and devour one another, to be careful that they aren’t consumed of one another. It isn’t good for us to be having disagreements among the body of Christ. We’re to come together in one mind, loving one another, and serving one another as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 5:1-15

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

 

Things to think about:

  • What does it mean to live under the law?
  • What does it mean to live by grace through faith?
  • Are you living in the liberty Christ died to give you? If not, why? If so, how?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul talks to the Galatians about not being influenced by people who are trying to put them back in bondage under the law. Help us to accept the blessing that was given to us through Jesus Christ. Forgive us of the times we’ve tried to earn our way to You, knowing full well we would never be able to. We pray that You would convict the hearts and call those who haven’t already accepted Jesus as their Savior. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and …

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be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

– Galatians 5:1

 

– This is an excerpt from my book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “The Children of Promise” (Galatians 4:21-31)

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The Children of Promise

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:21-31. As we continue in the book of Galatians with the letter that Paul wrote to the Galatians. Paul inquires of them asking, “Those of you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?”

Under the law, it is what you do, the rules you follow, that makes you right with God, but under grace it is what God did through His Son, Jesus Christ that makes us right with God. If you fail under the law, you are out of fellowship with God, but through grace and faith you can be forgiven.

Paul compares the law and faith to the difference between Abraham’s two sons. Paul says, “It is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a bondmaid and the other by a freewoman. Abraham’s son Ishmael who was born of a bondwoman, was born of the flesh, but his son Isaac, who was born of the freewoman, was born by the promise.”

If you remember in Genesis Sarah was barren for many years so she gave her handmaiden Hagar to Abraham who bore him a son called Ishmael. Sarah was impatient and tried to fix the problem on her own, but in God’s time Sarah gave birth to Isaac, who was the son God promised her.

Paul talks about the two covenants and compares them. Paul says that Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, the same mount where Moses received the law, answers to Jerusalem which is now in bondage with her children. However, Jerusalem above, which is Sarah is free, and is the mother above us all. Paul is speaking of the New Jerusalem.

Paul says, “It is written, rejoice those of you who are barren, cry out those of you that are not giving birth, the desolate have many more children than she which has a husband.” Paul was saying that there would be more people born of the flesh than Christians, who are born of the promise.

Paul says that, we are like Sarah’s son Isaac, the children of promise. Like Isaac those who are born of the promise will be persecuted by those who are born of the flesh. Paul reminds them that the Scripture says to cast out the bondwoman (Hagar) and her son (Ishmael). The son of the bondwoman won’t be an heir with the son of the freewoman (Sarah). Likewise, we aren’t sons of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Do you get the picture of how Paul is comparing Isaac and Ishmael to the law and faith? As Christians we aren’t under the bondage of the law, but we are free through faith in Jesus Christ. Look at this Scripture in Romans 4:13-16

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:21-31

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? 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.

 

Things to think about:

  • Why would anyone prefer to live under the law or by grace? Do you have a preference?
  • Why do we try to put ourselves back under the law when Jesus died to set us free from the law?
  • What does it mean to be children of the promise?
  • What does it mean to you to live free from bondage?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul explains to the Galatians about the difference of living in bondage and being free. Help us to accept the free gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. Help us to keep ourselves out of bondage, and live in grace and faith. Thank You for loving us and giving us this special gift of freedom. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. – Galatians 4:28

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– This is an excerpt from my book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Bible Verse Tweet

Recipe for Life

 

Daily Bible Reading “Be As I Am” (Galatians 4:12-20)

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Be As I Am

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:12-20. As Paul continued to write his letter to the churches of Galatia He addressed his brethren, almost begging them, and saying, “Be as I am.” Why would Paul say to the Galatians “Be as I am?” Wasn’t Paul trying to point these people to Christ?  Could you say to someone “Be as I am?”

Paul was walking in the freedom of Christ, not in the bondage of the law. He wanted the Galatians to walk in that same freedom. They’d been taught about the freedom they could have in Christ, but they’d let other people persuade them to go back to living under the law and trying to obey all the laws that were established in the Old Testament before Jesus Christ gave His life in remission for our sins.

You can tell in this portion of Paul’s letter that he loved the Galatians. He’d been a part of them before, when he was there preaching to them. He had a heart for them and he wanted them to be free.

Paul says, “You know how I preached the gospel to you even though I had ill-health. You didn’t reject me because of my thorn in my flesh, but you received me as a messenger of God, just like you would have treated Jesus Christ himself.” Paul also speaks of having a thorn in the flesh in Corinthians. There is a lot of speculation about what Paul’s physical ailment was, but nobody really knows.

Paul remembers that they would’ve done anything for him, even plucked out their eyes and given them to him if it was possible. Now that Paul was telling them the truth, he wondered if they would consider him to be their enemy.

Paul warns the Galatians that those people who wanted everyone to be legalistic were trying to influence them so they would follow them. They were trying to draw the Galatians away from the freedom they have in Christ and exclude them from the other Christians. But Paul wants the Galatians to be passionate about serving Christ always and not just when he is there with them. Paul knows they could have zeal for things that were good or bad, but warns them that it is dangerous to have zeal for things which are wrong.

Paul calls the Galatians, “my little children.” This shows his love for them. Paul compares himself to a woman giving birth, saying he is travailing in birth again until Christ is formed in them. Paul thought he had birthed the Galatians into the family of God when he’d been with them before, but now that this situation came up, he felt like he needed to bring them to Christ all over again. Paul wished he could be with the Galatians because he had great concern for them and doubted they were on the right path he’d set them on. He wanted the best for the Galatians.

As a minister of the gospel, God had given Paul a great love, compassion, and concern for the people he had ministered to. In this Scripture you can hear the love, compassion, and concern in Paul’s writing. He is concerned that the people he’d led to the Lord earlier were being led astray.

Paul wasn’t trying to influence the people to be his followers, but wanted them to have a strong desire for following Christ and to live in the freedom that Christ died for them to have. Are you passionate about following Christ? Have you accepted the freedom of Christ in your life or are you still trying to keep the law?

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:12-20

12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

 

Things to think about:

  • What did Paul mean by saying, “Be like me?”
  • What would give you the right to tell someone to be like you?
  • What does it mean to you to be passionate about following Christ and sharing the gospel with others?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we see Paul’s true love and concern for the Galatians. Help us to be zealous about following Christ and living in the freedom He died to give us. Help us to be zealous about sharing the gospel of Christ with others. Help us to be on guard against those who might try to lead us astray. Thank You for the pastors, teachers, and leaders that You send into our lives to lead us to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. – Galatians 4:12

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– This is an excerpt from my book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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