“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked” (Eph. 2:1-2). So begins one of the most well-known and comprehensive gospel summaries in all of Scripture. Paul, writing to the Ephesian church, is determined to explain the immeasurable power of God that is at work in those who believe: just as Christ has been […]
It is often the case that the gospel which people want to hear preached is not the gospel that we preach from Scripture. The unregenerate desires a gospel that will promise physical health, wealth, prosperity, comfort, emotional/mystical experiences, and a better life now. However, the gospel of Jesus Christ offers forgiveness from sins, a right standing before God, growth […]
As we read through Ephesians 1:3-14, seeing and savoring all of the wonderful spiritual blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus, we are presented with a stunning description of the Triune nature of God and the specific work of each Person in the Godhead. Moreover, this passage also encompasses all history, all people, and all things from eternity past to eternity […]
Paul’s conclusion to his epistle to the Galatians is a beautiful summary of its contents. As we come to the end of this letter, we must remember to whom it was addressed, its purpose and major themes, as well its message to the Church throughout the ages. The issue of submitting our own righteousness to God is a […]
In Paul’s final warning to the Galatians, he reminds them again of the law-relying Judaizers – those who were clinging to a works-based righteousness in order to gain favor before God. Though they were rigorous and zealous law keepers, Paul points out that in reality they were seeking to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ, looking for more […]
In Paul’s discussion of the believer’s freedom as found in the gospel of Jesus Christ, he warns the Galatians of two possible and dangerous errors: losing gospel freedom (Gal. 5:1-6) and abusing gospel freedom (5:13-15). While the Christian can foolishly turn back to legalism, to law-reliance as a means of acceptance before God, he can also approach […]
In Galatians 5 and 6, Paul appeals to the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer as further proof for the gospel of justification by faith. He demonstrates that only faith working through love, as a result of the freedom that comes from the gospel of grace, counts for anything. However circumcision and […]
Having proclaimed the beautiful gospel truths of justification by faith and explained the adoption and sonship of the believer, Paul once again passionately voices his concerns for the Galatian church. These brothers and sisters in Christ, who truly had “come to know God, or rather to be known by God” (Gal. 4:9), were turning back to former rituals and law-observances, thinking […]
If, in our preaching, teaching, and evangelism, we declare that Jesus only came to forgive our sins, we are missing a greater and more profound reality of the gospel. Jesus Christ, both fully God and fully man, came not only for the purpose of redemption but of adoption. He came not only to pay the price of our sins […]
As we come to the conclusion of the third chapter of Galatians, Paul summarizes his previous arguments into one glorious and sweeping statement: “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there […]
When Peter began to separate from associating with the Gentiles, for fear of the Jews, Paul opposed him to his face. Though Peter knew that salvation had come to the Gentiles, that justification came by faith and not works, he nevertheless was acting in a way that showed the gospel was for those who kept […]
As Paul moves into a defense of his gospel against the criticisms of his opponents, he gives a brief autobiography detailing the events surrounding his conversion. He explains that though he formerly “was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” of Christianity, he nevertheless “received mercy” – being transformed into one of the most remarkable evangelists of all […]
As Paul begins his letter to the Galatians, his feelings are unmistakable: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel” (Gal. 1:6). He is quick to address the fact that the Galatians, by adding good works as a condition for receiving […]
Although the devil is called the “father of lies” (John 8:44), he is also known as the “accuser of our brothers”. His job has always been to accuse the saints based on the correct understanding that the penalty of sin requires judgment and spiritual death. However, through Christ’s death, resurrection, and exaltation he has achieved […]
Jesus, the baby born in the lowly manger, was the great plot twist in redemption’s story. The promise of a Messiah was made all the way back in the garden, in Genesis 3:15, and stretches across the pages of the Old Testament. Even in the final book of Scripture, we see a picture of this beautiful gospel […]
