Nathan Neighbors
Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, & Youth Pastor
Do good. Though we don’t have a faith based on works – our faith ought to compel us to help other people. Paul spends time at the end of his letter to the church at Galatia encouraging them to do good toward one another. He says,
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
– Galatians 6:10 NIV
It’s easy to get caught up these days in doing things for ourself. Our phones, our social media and even Netflix are all geared toward making life about what we like. It knows our presences and it caters to us. These are not bad things, but can lead us down a path of selfishness. So, be careful then to be aware of others and do good toward one another. Paul reminds us, “A man reaps what he sows.” (Gal. 6:7b)
This coming week as we head to Lake City to help homeowners – let’s take seriously this call to do good. May the good we do benefit the homeowners, proclaim the Gospel to the community and glorify the Lord!
Today is the 4th of July! It’s Independence Day. What better day to read these two chapters. Here Paul is reminding the church at Galatia that they are free in Christ. They no longer need to be bound in slavery to sin or the law. They no longer need to be burdened with the idea that their adherence to the law and their good works will make them better than other believers. It’s the grace of Jesus Christ that makes them free.
Paul urges us to use the freedom we have not as a license to sin, but as an opportunity to serve. That’s a good word for us today. It’s easy as Americans to cheer for freedom, but how do we use our freedom? Do we serve ourself – or do we serve others? Let’s celebrate freedom today. Lets barbecue and shoot fireworks. But let’s also use our freedom in Christ and our freedom as Americans to love and serve our neighbors well. Happy 4th of July!
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
– Galatians 5:13
In these two chapters Paul is confronting the church at Galatia about Jewish converts to Christianity who had come into the church and were trying to make the Gentile believers follow Christ and Jewish Law. Paul spends time here reminding them that it’s not the law that brings salvation – but faith in Christ.
Paul even goes on to talk about how he calls out Peter (the rock of the church) for doing the very same thing.
Honestly, I think it’s easy – even today, to get caught up in a works based faith. But let us always remember that our faith isn’t based on our ability to do good – but what Jesus did on the cross.
“…man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” – Galatians 2:16a
That doesn’t mean the Law is meaningless, it’s vital to our understanding of faith and the complete otherness of God. He is holy – we are not. The law reminds us that we can never be good enough. That’s why we needed a Savior. Paul goes on to say at the end of chapter 3:
“So the Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” – Galatians 3:24
Nathan Neighbors 