Journal through Galatians, Day 1, Ch. 1

In posts titled, “Journal through ______” I will jot down my thoughts and questions. I will mark my questions or other statements/sections requesting comments in bold, so please feel free to help me out by answering them; simply click on leave a comment to do so. If you are not already registered you will be required to register, but it is a short, simple and one-time process. Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your thoughts with me!

Galatians-Chapter 1

1:4 – A reason Jesus died – he “gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age,”

– it would be a good study to list all the reasons why Jesus died, that is, to list out all the passages that speak to why Christ died; if you have some passages to list out, click on ‘leave comment’ below

– deliver – WS

– gave – WS

– evil – WS

(WS means ‘do a word study on this’, so please leave comments on what you have learned about these words and anywhere else you see WS)

1:6 – astonished – WS

– deserting – WS

1:7 – “not that there is another one” – you can almost sense some sarcasm here

– is there any Biblical precedence for sarcasm?

– read comm. – does anyone speak to Paul’s tone here?

(read comm. means “read commentaries” to discover more meaning, more insight; if you know what certain commentaries say regarding these sections please leave a comment whenever you see read comm.)

1:8-9 – contrary – WS

1:10 – please – WS

1:14 – advancing – WS

– zealous, extremely zealous – WS

1:15 – called – WS

1:17 – Why did Paul go “away into Arabia”?

– read comm. – does anyone speculate on why he went into Arabia?

1:20 – Why is Paul so emphatically insisting on his own honesty?

Galatians 1:1; Luther’s Commentary on Galatians

Click on this link to download the excerpt for today.  It is a word document.

Luther’s Commentary on Galatians-Ch 1:1, 1st subheading

Galatians 1:1 – Paul, an apostle – not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead – (All Scripture taken from the ESV unless otherwise stated.)

– After reading many of the epistles recently, this introduction seems unique; this is most likely for two reasons. 1) This was arguably Paul’s first letter. 2) Paul immediately starts to state who he is and what God has called him to be. He starts defending his credentials right away, rather than telling his audience, “Grace and peace to you…”

– Paul, an apostle (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead.) (Luther’s heading; 1:1)

o Luther states correctly that in the Galatian church there had “crept in certain false teachers.”

o This always seems to happen. The enemy sows the seeds of destruction every time the Lord sows seeds of righteousness & spiritual fruitfulness.

o This was also John’s concern in his first two letters.

o This is a major point of prayer for me even now, though I have no ‘churches’, no ‘fruit’ yet from my labor.

– QUOTE: “…the world cannot suffer those things to be condemned which it most esteemeth and best liketh…”

o I think this was true in Luther’s day in regards to those church-goers who were practicing a works-based righteousness. However, today, it is more applicable to the world-at-large; they do not like it when we call sin by its name-they get very offended.

– According to Luther, the doctrine of justification by faith is used of God to preserve his church.

o “[it] preserveth us in fullest unity and peace.”

– Luther identifies with Paul’s struggle against the false teachers who came after him in Galatia. When these false teachers claim their superiority over Paul because they are disciples of the apostles, Luther hears the voice of the Pope, “If the Church was really in error, would God have left it uncorrected for hundreds of years?”

o “Even so the Pope at this day, when he hath no authority of the Scripture to defend himself withal, useth this one argument continually against us…”

The Constant Inclination, from “The Way of Holiness” by Jonathan Edwards

Click the link below to read this sermon from Jonathan Edwards. The site you will come to is where most of the sermons I will be reading for a while will come from. May they challenge you, enrich you, and encourage you to follow him more sincerely and closely, like they have for me.

http://www.biblebb.com/edwards.htm

The Constant Inclination

Reading Now Observations-Jonathan Edwards-The Way of Holiness

“The Constant Inclination” (my title)

Is 35:8 – “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.”

– Edwards calls Isaiah “a fifth Gospel” – noting that Isaiah talks so much about Him, his birth and life, miracles, death and the glorious state he is creating for us now

– He starts this sermon with comments on the first 10 verses.

– Edwards states plainly the exclusive nature of Christ’s gift and offer: “This highway is the common and only way to heaven, for the way to heaven is but one. There is none ever get to heaven except they walk in this way. Some men don’t get to heaven one way and others another…” (Note: the difficult language is Edwards’ not mine)

– He also notes that Isaiah’s description of this way is the same as Christ’s claim to be the way. This would be a good example of how the Bible harmonizes itself.

– Edwards describes the type of journey we will take if we go to heaven: “the way is so narrow that we must rub hard to get along and press forward.”

o I confess that I do not often think of my own journey to heaven as something where I am ‘rubbing hard’.

o I wonder how many Christians have ever considered they are even on a journey, much less considered there should be a ‘rubbing hard’ element to it.

o Of course, this is not to say that we have to do something to keep our salvation.

– In the next section Edwards describes the ‘necessity of holiness’.

o “Many are not sensible enough of the necessity of holiness in order to salvation.”

§ How true this is of the American church in general-that is why I pray so often for my own home church.

§ I have never considered the ‘necessity of holiness’ either. Sure I’ve heard verses like Matt 5:48 or even Heb 12:14, but I’ve never heard the phrase “necessity of holiness”.

o “Everyone hopes for heaven…”

§ This is so true, but I think, sadly, it was more true in Edwards’ day than mine. Today there are a lot of people who would deny that heaven is a real place and pass the whole scenario off as some sort of hypothetical fairy tale.

o He goes further in describing the type of holiness that is needed: a “real, hearty and sincere inward and spiritual holiness, such as will stand by us forever and will not leave us at death…”

– Next, Edwards gives several descriptions of holiness.

o “Holiness is a conformity of the heart and the life unto God.”

§ He uses three passages from James – 1:26-27, 2:18, 2:19-20 – to show what sincere holiness is and looks like.

o “Holiness is…a conformity to his will.”

§ He wills “things that are just, right, and truly excellent and lovely.” These things also include “real perfection, and goodness.” Edwards also describes God’s will as “perfectly [abhorring] everything that is really evil, unjust, and unreasonable.”

o “It is not only a willing as God wills, but also a doing as he [is]: in acting holily and justly and wisely and mercifully, like him. It must become natural thus to be, and thus to act; it must be the constant inclination and new nature of the soul, and then the man is holy, and not before.”

§ Lord, let holiness be the constant inclination in all I do and say!

o “It is a conformity to Jesus Christ.”

§ “Now holiness is a conformity unto [the copy of Christ]: he that copies after Jesus Christ,” as we read of Him in the Gospels, “is holy.” (Italics mine).

§ “…observe in the life of Christ wonderful instances of humility, love to God, love to religion; wonderful instances of zeal for God’s glory, steadfastness in resisting temptations, entire trust and reliance on God, strict adherence to all his commands; astonishing instances of condescension, humility, meekness, lowliness, love to men, love to his enemies, charity and patience? Why, this is holiness. When we imitate Christ in these things, then we are holy, and not till then.”

· I have often wondered and even complained, “How am I to be holy as He is holy?” Now I know, if I want to be holy, I simply need to copy Christ.

o “Holiness is a conformity to God’s laws and commands. When all God’s laws without exception are written in our hearts, then we are holy.”

§ “If you feel Christ’s Sermon upon the Mount [engraved] on the fleshly tables of your heart, you are truly sanctified.”

– In the next section, Edwards tells us of those who are not “in the way to heaven.”

o “…the road they are in will never bring them there. Whatever hopes and expectations they may have, they will never reach heaven to eternity except they alter their course, turn about, and steer [towards] another point; for the way is a way of holiness, and the unclean shall not pass over it.”

o “Christ said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into heaven, but yet he left it absolutely possible with God that it might be; but he said positively and without exception that except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

§ As regards the rich man, I think fondly of a certain man in my home church back in the states. He is a very rich man, but thanks to the Lord’s grace in his life, he is one the most generous people I have ever known, much less heard about. This certain man is an example of the possibility that a rich man can get into heaven.

o “None but those who are holy are in the way to heaven…”

§ Does this mean those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and are following his as disciples? In the context of the whole sentence, Edwards seems to indicate only those who are holy are saved. That is, holiness is the evidence of salvation. Of course, none of us are completely and perfectly holy, but don’t lose hope. Edwards will address how we can determine whether or not we are holy.

§ In this section too, Edwards continues his description of holiness as something that is “active and vital.”

· Lord, let holiness be described like this in my life!

– In the last section under the heading ‘Doctrine’, Edwards describes reasons why holiness is how he describes it. That is, he gives further arguments to his audience, in order to persuade them to embrace his definition of holiness and why they need it.

o “Tis impossible by reason of God’s holiness, that anything should be united to God and brought to the enjoyment of him which is not holy. Now is it possible that a God of infinite holiness, that is perfect and hates sin with perfect hatred, that is infinitely lovely and excellent, should embrace in his arms a filthy, abominable creature, a hideous, detestable monster, more hateful than a toad and more poisonous that a viper?”

§ What a word picture!

o “It is therefore as impossible for an unholy thing to be admitted unto the happiness of heaven as it is for God not to be, or be turned to nothing.”

– He also adds an apt definition of sin: “Sin is a woeful confusion and dreadful disorder in the soul, whereby everything is put out of place, reason trampled under foot and passion advanced in the room of it, conscience dethroned and abominable lusts reigning.”

– The next section is titled ‘Application’.

– “There are many that think that they are undoubtedly in the way to heaven, and without question shall enter there at last, that have not the least grain of true holiness, that manifest none in their lives and conversations, of whom we may be certain that either they have no holiness at all, or that which they have is a dormant, inactive sort which is in effect to be certain that there is none.”

o Sadly, this is the condition of many in the American church. Lord, help your church. Open its eyes, open the eyes of your people to the necessity of holiness. Not for their sake, but for your glory, O Lord!

o Edwards describes this as “a pitiable, miserable condition.”

– “…if we think ourselves in the road to heaven, and are going to the place of torment all the while, and continue deceived, without doubt fire and brimstone will undeceive us.”

– “If we would know whether we are holy or no, let us try ourselves by these five following things:

o “Meditate on the holiness of God, and see if you cannot see a conformity, a likeness in your mind.”

§ Edwards states, quite rightly, that there is no and can be comparison in degree, but rather a likeness in nature. He says that the soul who is holy “finds a pleasure and delight” as he meditates on who God is.

o “See if you can see any resemblance in your life to the life of Christ.”

§ Of course, I could never copy Christ fully and perfectly. However, that is no excuse. Edwards says you may “perceive whether the same spirit, the same temper and disposition, in lesser degree be in them, that was manifested by the life and conversation of Jesus Christ.”

o “Is there an agreeableness between your souls and the Word of God?”

§ “Have you love to all God’s commands and a respect to them in your actions? Is it your delight to obey and hearken to the will of God? Do you obey them of choice? Is it what you would choose to do if God had not threatened to punish the breach of them?” (emphasis mine)

o “Do you find by a comparison a likeness and agreeableness between your hearts and lives, and the hearts and lives of those holy men that we are assured were such by the Word of God?”

§ This act of comparison is one reason why I enjoy reading works of great Christian men of the past. They edify me and point me back to the Word so it can teach me.

o “Do you in a measure imitate the saints and angels in heaven? They spend their duration to the glory of God; they love him above all things, are delighted with the beauties of Jesus Christ, entirely love one another, and hate sin.”

– Edwards closes with some exhortations.

– “…nothing is so necessary to us as holiness; other things may be necessary to discover this life, and things that are necessary men will strive for with all their might, if there is a probability of obtaining them. How much more is that to be sought after, without which we shall fare infinitely worse than die ten thousand deaths!”

o It would be better to die 10,000 times than not seek after holiness and thus suffer our just punishment in hell.

o “This is motive enough without any other; for what can be a greater motive than necessity? But besides that, if it were not necessary, the amiable and excellent nature of it is enough to make it worthy the most earnest seeking after.”

– “Men are apt to drink in strange notions of holiness from their childhood, as if it were a melancholy, morose, sour, and unpleasant thing.”

o I confess that is what I was taught growing up in a traditional SB church. Not in those words exactly, mind you. But in the worship was done and the way discipleship was ‘programmed’ and the looks on peoples’ faces across the way-it all taught me that holiness is not worth the pursuit. Now may it never be like that again. Lord, teach me to be holy. Lead me in the way of holiness. Show me how you are Holy in your Word. Sanctify me through your Word. Increase my thirst for your Word. Lord, make me holy as you are holy!

Reading now-October, ’06

Ok, so here is what I am currently reading. Galatians-It has been along time since I’ve dug into this book. Recently, within the last year at least, I’ve done studies on Ephesians-for sp. warfare and heard messages on Colossians, but it has been a while since I’ve looked in depth into this letter, probably Paul’s first epistle. (Does anyone know the exact chronology of Paul’s epistles, OR where I could go to find this out?)
Along with it I am reading Luther’s Commentary on Galatians. With Reformation Day (Oct. 31, 1517) approaching, I thought it might be a good idea to look for this classic and actually read it for the first time. (As an aside: what would happen to our country if Christians stopped celebrating Halloween and started celebrating the Reformation and applying its fruits to our individual lives, families and churches? Think about it.) There is already some things I disagree with and I haven’t even finished the introduction. For example, it is full of disparaging and inflammatory remarks towards Anabaptists, even comparing them with the Pope, but, hey, Luther was known for speaking his mind forcefully. Even with all his criticisms of some of my sp. forefathers, I am thankful to Him for Luther and what he did to bring the Chch back to the Word.

In addition to these, I am reading about one Jonathan Edwards sermon per week. You can find these on monergism.com in the “In Depth on Jonathan Edwards” section. This week I am reading “The Way of Holiness.” Vey convicting already, it is kicking my rear big-time.

Stay tuned for more obeservations on my readings OR feel free to make some comments of your own.

Reason

Why a blog? Why not, I say. Actually there is a little more to it than that. Following are several reasons why I have started a blog.

1) In the early years of the 90s I had a diary. I think it was given to me by my parents. The very first entry read: “Dear Diary, Today I will start the family newspaper.” And there is absolutely nothing after that. No more entries, no family paper, nothing, zip, zero, zilch. You might say to yourself, “Well, this whole blog idea doesn’t fare so well either, considering your track record.” You could be right, but I am motivated by something Spurgeon said about writing and reading. (Back in the early 90s, I had no idea who Spurgeon was. I would have probably guessed some sort of fish, i.e. sturgeon)

The following is from Spurgeon’s sermon,
“Paul — His Cloak and His Books”

“Give yourself unto reading.”
The man who never reads will never be read;
he who never quotes will never be quoted.
He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s
brains, proves that he has no brains of his own.
You need to read.
We are quite persuaded that the very best way
for you to be spending your leisure time,
is to be either reading or praying.
You may get much instruction from books which
afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your
Lord and Master’s service.
Paul cries, “Bring the books” — join in the cry.

So from this quote, I am motivated to keep a journal of my readings from the Word, from Theology, from books, articles and other sources. You can think of it as some sort of virtual accountability. I also don’t have to keep up with where I put my journal; I always know where my computer is.

2) The secound reason for starting a blog is that I hope, through comments and feedback, to learn. I hope to learn more about the Word, about Theology, about the things I read. I hope to get feedback on the consistency, or inconsistency thereof, of my thought. So please comment, even if it is a short affirmation or disagreement. Living on the other side of the world, in the 10/40, I need some feedback from my friends and others in order to piece together a theological education. This is the only easiest way to converse about things that are on my heart with other men of faith.

3) The last reason for starting a blog is that I came up with a cool name, I think at least, and wanted to use it before someone else thought of it. Kinda’ shallow, I know. But there you have it.

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