Scripture Union Daily Guide 21st December 2020 – Salvation Is Not By Works

MESSAGE: Scripture Union Daily Guide 21st December 2020

Paul is concerned that having begun so well with him, the Galatians were losing their initial enthusiasm. So, he briefly returns to the issue that prompted this letter and specifically to the hypocrisy of the other Jewish teachers.

By insisting that the Galatians observe the law and go through circumcision, the Jewish teachers were trying to make a good impression for themselves, but they were hypocritical in that they were not even succeeding in obeying the law (vv.12–13).

By so doing, they were down–playing the importance of the cross of Christ, which Paul preached was the only thing worth boasting about (v.14). “What counts is a new creation,” (v.15), a new mindset from the old sinful life. Having been born in sin through Adam’s disobedience, it is important for every human being to be born again through Jesus Christ, the second Adam.

Then, one will no longer do things to please oneself or others, but God alone. That is when the sinful nature is transformed into a new nature bearing the fruit of the Spirit. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the new replaces the old. Notice Paul’s wish in v.16. May that wish be true for you also!

⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?

Practice/Word Application?
• And so: It takes all–dimensional commitment to reach your goal in life and make it to heaven at last.

Prayer:
• Dear Lord, help me to become dead to the flesh and alive in you because of your sacrifice.
• Thank God for His love in preserving His church in the face of intense persecution in parts of the world such as Northern Nigeria and many Islamic nations.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalm 111:6

Read The Bible In One Year: Neh. 10–11; Luke 20:27–47

Thank you for reading Today’s Scripture Union Daily Guide 21st December 2020 – Salvation Is Not By Works

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