Vince Miller Podcast

Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. — Galatians 3:6-9

CALL OUT: Call out to Mike Gole from Broken Arrow, OK, who joined us for leadership training in Florida. Thanks for sharing our devotionals with your men daily.

Paul presents an airtight case for salvation by faith alone by referring to the Jewish icon of faith, Father Abraham. In this section, he will explain to the Galatians how Abraham (like them) was saved only by faith, not by circumcision, and that the covenant made to Abraham was a blessing for all nations, including Gentiles.

Today, this compels me to address the issue of proof-texting head-on.

Proof-texting is a method of interpreting Scripture that selects specific lines of Scripture, or "proof texts," that appear to support a particular belief or doctrine without considering the broader context of the passage. Thus, in Paul's correction, we can see this is precisely what the Judaizers were doing. This approach led Jewish believers to a biased interpretation of Scripture, which ignored some pretty apparent truths about Abraham, faith, and the blessing to all nations, which included the Gentiles. It also resulted in false teaching, a wrong understanding of the gospel, and wounded and confused believers who questioned their salvation.

But note that memorizing, quoting, and referencing individual Scriptures is fine. Just remember that in context, verses like Philippians 4:13, which reads, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me," might have nothing to do with my striving to achieve the next stage of my potential. Instead, it might communicate that I need to learn to be content with my present discontentment and discover God's strength through my suffering.

If you don't believe me, take a glance at the two preceding verses:

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." — Philippians 4:11-12. 

Hopefully, you see how easy it is to misread the text by proof-texting and thus communicate a Gospel truth that is not a Gospel truth at all. So be cautious of what you believe and how you communicate it, as well as how you communicate what you believe.

#FaithAlone #GalatiansInsights #ContextMatters #SalvationByFaith #AvoidProofTexting

ASK THIS:

1. How can we ensure that our interpretation of Scripture is rooted in its broader context rather than relying solely on proof-texting?
2. In what ways can we apply the principle of seeking God's strength amidst our present circumstances, as highlighted in Philippians 4:11-13, to our daily lives?

DO THIS: Read Scripture in context don't proof-text.

PRAY THIS: Father, help me to approach Your Word with humility and discernment, seeking to understand its full context and applying its truths to my life with wisdom and clarity. Grant me the strength to trust in You alone for salvation and to rely on Your power in every circumstance I face. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Your Name Is Holy.

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith. — Galatians 3:5

CALL OUT: Call out to Don Parker from Smithfield, RI, who is taking some men through our book Called To Act. I am excited for you and your men, and make sure they take that 35-Day Challenge!

With each one of these questions here, you can almost feel Paul's intensity building. His question could be reduced to five simple words: "What more do you want?" God gave you everything. He created you in his image. He formed you with his hands. He gave you his Son. He sent his Spirit. He sustains you and supplies you with miracles as proof of his working through you, and now you return to thinking there is still more to do.

This verse reminds me of that moment in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, where the father addresses the older son, who is bitterly angry that his father has killed the prize calf for his wayward brother, who has returned. Then the father declares to him: "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found" (Luke 15:31-32).

In fact, Jesus's point with this parable is precisely the same as Paul's to the Galatians. Everything gained in our spiritual life is distributed by God's grace and gained by faith. We can come into the Father's house and enjoy it, but we cannot stand outside and do anything to earn it.

But this verse points out the confusion that many believers have regarding the nature, work, and power of the Spirit that indwells them. Most believers, like the Galatians, the Judaizers, and even the older son, assume that the spiritual life is merely a new start at life accomplished by a new natural strength. And it's not. It's a whole new life. The old is dead. We are now sustained by a whole new nature, a new identity, and a new power working through us — the very Spirit of God that formed the earth and raised Jesus from the dead.

Many believers fail to grasp this. They revert to old programming and old patterns from their old life, giving a fresh attempt at moral fortitude and good works, only to eventually fail and be disappointed. They repeat these cycles and never discover the nature, work, and power of the Spirit. This is what Paul is concerned about for the Galatians. They are falling for the old pattern of living by the flesh rather than learning to walk by the Spirit (which he will unfold in great detail in Galatians 5).

For now, know this. The life you live in the flesh is one you live by faith in the Son of God, who also gave you a Spirit to sustain you. So stop relying on the good works of your flesh. Learn to trust in the Spirit that indwells you and the great works he wants to do through you.

God, I pray that every believer listening today will learn to trust in the Holy Spirit that you supplied to them and sustains them. Show them how to walk obediently in faith by the Spirit, and may all their good works be only the great work of the Spirit through them. Amen.

#FaithVsWorks #SpiritualPower #GraceOverLaw #WalkingByFaith #HolySpiritSustains

ASK THIS:

1. How can you actively shift from relying on your own efforts to trusting in the Holy Spirit's power to sustain you in your daily life?
2. Reflecting on your recent actions and decisions, how might relying on the Spirit's guidance have led to different outcomes or perspectives?

DO THIS: Ask God to reveal his Spirit through you.

PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to relinquish my reliance on my own efforts and instead trust fully in the sustaining power of your Holy Spirit within me. Guide me to walk obediently in faith, letting your Spirit work through me to accomplish your will. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Holy Spirit.

GET THE BOOK: Daniel: A Strong Man Is Faithful here https://amzn.to/3ToZqOk 

Will you be faithful in unfaithful times?

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. — Daniel 1:1-2

As we begin, I want to highlight a few characters in this text because we need to know them to understand Daniel’s story of faithfulness.

First, we have Jehoiakim. He is the 18th king of Judah. He was not appointed by God but by the Egyptian Pharoah, who, in some ways, controlled Judah at the time. Jehoiakim was 25 when he became ruler and ruled for 11 years. He is described by other biblical authors as a horrible king. Here is why. He had sex with his mother, daughter-in-law, and stepmother. He murdered men, raped their wives, and stole their property. He performed an epispasm (restored foreskin) to conceal the fact that he was a Jew. In addition, he tattooed his body, which was prohibited by his religious law. But most notably, he took a biblical scroll, removed God's name, and burned it. So, we might say Jehoiakim was not such a good guy.

Second, we have Nebuchadnezzar. Historically, this Nebuchadnezzar II, also known as Nebuchadnezzar the Great. He ruled Babylon for 43 years. During his time, they became a world superpower. He kept taking land and erecting buildings during a time when Egypt and Israel were in decline. And the capital city of Babylon was massive and glorious. And that's where the Book of Daniel begins. Israel and Jerusalem are in disarray, and God's people are taken captive.

Third, there is Daniel. He is unmentioned here, but this book is about him. Daniel is a teenager when he is taken and becomes a refugee in the city of Babylon. What is great about this book is that Daniel tells us the entire story of Israel’s captivity, and he is faithful from beginning to end—all 70 years of his life.

Right from the start, we see a contrast between three men: one unfaithful king, one enemy king, and one man who worships the only King. And from Daniel, more than any Old Testament character, we can all learn how to be faithful men in unfaithful times under unfaithful and unbelieving kings. Could a story like this be more applicable, given our times? I think not! Even more, Daniel will suffer under the reign of not just one king but five enemy kings over his entire lifetime and come out on the other side a faithful, God-fearing man.

I think every believing man living today should aspire to do the same: resolve your wayward desires, fix your gaze on God, and then make the covenant to be a faithful man in unfaithful times. That’s what Daniel did and so should you.

God, I pray that all your men will aspire to be faithful to you for the remainder of their days. By your truth, nudge them when they get off the path, show them how to get back on, and help them to stay on the path so they will be named with great men like Daniel, who was faithful from beginning to end. In Jesus’s name, amen.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. — Daniel 1:1-2

As we begin, I want to highlight a few characters in this text because we need to know them to understand Daniel’s story of faithfulness.

First, we have Jehoiakim. He is the 18th king of Judah. He was not appointed by God but by the Egyptian Pharoah, who, in some ways, controlled Judah at the time. Jehoiakim was 25 when he became ruler and ruled for 11 years. He is described by other biblical authors as a horrible king. Here is why. He had sex with his mother, daughter-in-law, and stepmother. He murdered men, raped their wives, and stole their property. He performed an epispasm (restored foreskin) to conceal the fact that he was a Jew. In addition, he tattooed his body, which was prohibited by his religious law. But most notably, he took a biblical scroll, removed God's name, and burned it. So, we might say Jehoiakim was not such a good guy.

Second, we have Nebuchadnezzar. Historically, this Nebuchadnezzar II, also known as Nebuchadnezzar the Great. He ruled Babylon for 43 years. During his time, they became a world superpower. He kept taking land and erecting buildings during a time when Egypt and Israel were in decline. And the capital city of Babylon was massive and glorious. And that's where the Book of Daniel begins. Israel and Jerusalem are in disarray, and God's people are taken captive.

Third, there is Daniel. He is unmentioned here, but this book is about him. Daniel is a teenager when he is taken and becomes a refugee in the city of Babylon. What is great about this book is that Daniel tells us the entire story of Israel’s captivity, and he is faithful from beginning to end—all 70 years of his life.

Right from the start, we see a contrast between three men: one unfaithful king, one enemy king, and one man who worships the only King. And from Daniel, more than any Old Testament character, we can all learn how to be faithful men in unfaithful times under unfaithful and unbelieving kings. Could a story like this be more applicable, given our times? I think not! Even more, Daniel will suffer under the reign of not just one king but five enemy kings over his entire lifetime and come out on the other side a faithful, God-fearing man.

I think every believing man living today should aspire to do the same: resolve your wayward desires, fix your gaze on God, and then make the covenant to be a faithful man in unfaithful times. That’s what Daniel did and so should you.

God, I pray that all your men will aspire to be faithful to you for the remainder of their days. By your truth, nudge them when they get off the path, show them how to get back on, and help them to stay on the path so they will be named with great men like Daniel, who was faithful from beginning to end. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?— Galatians 3:4

CALL OUT: Call out to Randy Cook from Mendota Heights, MN, who is taking some big steps of faith by reconciling some issues of the past. This is what men do. This is what we all need to do. Step into something hard today.

Remember, Paul poses several questions in Galatians 3:1-6. With each, he builds a list of logical fallacies against the reasoning of the false teachers. This one points to the fact that living by faith comes with suffering. Contrary to the belief of some, faith does not absolve human suffering even though it does alleviate eternal suffering. Faith in Jesus always assumes we suffer here even though we won't suffer there. Therefore, Paul's point is suffering in faith would be all for nothing if they try to manufacture a Gospel that attempts to alleviate suffering.

In every generation, popular teachings attach trendy ideologies to the Gospel: it could be legalism, scholasticism, colonialism, prosperity, and equity. Each has had its time and was presented as a "better" Gospel that promised to relieve our suffering or the suffering of another. But the Gospel doesn't need our help. It never needs to be made "better." We don't need to make it more relatable, acceptable, or believable. It stands alone. It is accepted by faith alone. It is full of grace alone. It is better left alone. And yes, there is temporary suffering that comes with faith. So we must all accept this, too.

#FaithfulEndurance #GospelTruth #SufferingForFaith #StandAloneGospel #GalatiansReflections

ASK THIS:

1. How can we ensure that our faith remains steadfast in the face of societal pressures and popular ideologies that seek to distort the Gospel message?
2. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to compromise your faith for the sake of cultural acceptance or personal comfort. How did you overcome this temptation, and what lessons did you learn from the experience?

DO THIS: Accept your salvation. It stands alone.

PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to stand firm in my faith, even in the midst of suffering and temptation to compromise. Grant me the strength and wisdom to uphold the purity of the Gospel message and remain steadfast in Your truth. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Salvation is Your Name.

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? — Galatians 3:3

CALL OUT: This is to all the men who use these daily devotionals to disciple others. It's pretty simple: share the devotional with another man, and then use the questions below to spark a quick discussion. I know many men use these daily devotionals for weekly small group meetings as a discussion guide for their time, and you can, too.

If you read this in context, you will see Paul posing several questions in Galatians 3:1-6. With each, he builds a list of logical dilemmas. This one presents a logical fallacy about spiritual maturity—that spiritual maturity is not perfected by human effort. This means human effort from beginning to end is insufficient in attaining or achieving our spiritual maturity.

Many young believers get this wrong. They wrongly believe that spiritual maturity is attained and achieved by how much they know or how long they believe. The reason we get this wrong is that the world's system rewards how much we know and how long we do something. But when it comes to faith, these factors are irrelevant. The only thing that matters is faith in Jesus, who was perfect and made us perfect.

As the author (probably Paul) said to the Hebrews, "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." — Hebrews 10:14

Our works of the flesh never made us perfect. If we could have done it, we would have. Instead, his work in the flesh, sacrificed for us, made all men perfect. Therefore, all our good works are simply an overflow of his Spirit doing good work through us by faith. So be receptive to the Spirit today, live by faith, follow his prompting, and cultivate the perfect life that has been perfected in you.

#SpiritualMaturity #FaithNotWorks #SurrenderToTheSpirit #PerfectInChrist #WalkingByFaith

ASK THIS:

1. How does the concept of spiritual maturity being perfected by faith challenge your previous understanding of personal growth in your Christian walk?
2. Reflecting on your own experiences, how have you seen the difference between striving in your own efforts versus surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?

DO THIS: Cultivate the perfect life that has been perfected in you

PRAY THIS: Father, I thank you for the gift of faith that perfects me in Christ. Help me to surrender daily to the leading of your Spirit so that I may walk in the fullness of the life you have perfected in me. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Thrive.

Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? — Galatians 3:2

CALL OUT: Today, our callout goes to Darwin Saunders at Next Step Recovery Home in Houston, TX. Thanks for serving men in this way. I would love to find a way to give group homes and recovery homes biblical resources this coming year. If you know a director at these homes across the country, please contact me.

The rhetorical question posed to the Galatians is meant to challenge their reasoning and drive them to a different logical conclusion. The obvious answer to Paul's question is that they did nothing to gain the Spirit because it was a gift dispensed by Jesus that could only be received by faith.

This again reinforces the logic that faith in Jesus both saves and sustains. This means every step we take post-salvation is not a return to works done by our strength but works done by the Spirit, who is our strength. Of course, the result is good works, but these good works are merely an overflow of believing by faith. They do not trust in our ability, skill, talent, or effort, which only puffs us up and diverts us from the sustaining work of the Spirit in us.

It's important for believers to calibrate this connection. If we don't, we become "hypnotized fools," as Paul declared in Galatians 3:1.

So, I have a question for you today: Do you need calibration? Are you giving too much credence to your abilities, skills, talent, and effort? If so, it's time for a spiritual recalibration. Here's how to do that. When you have that inclination to trust yourself today, don't. Don't! Trust instead in Jesus and place your faith in Him and the Spirit he has placed within you. His Spirit has all the ability, skill, talent, and effort you need.

#FaithOverWorks #SpiritualRecalibration #TrustInJesus #SurrenderToTheSpirit #WalkingByFaith

ASK THIS:

1. How can you actively surrender your self-reliance today and trust more fully in the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
2. In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on your own abilities, talents, or efforts instead of leaning on the power of God's Spirit within you?

DO THIS: When you have that inclination to trust yourself today, don't.

PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to let go of my reliance on my own strength and abilities, and instead, trust fully in Your Spirit to guide and sustain me each day. May my faith in You grow stronger, leading me to live a life that glorifies You in all that I do. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Direction.

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. — Galatians 3:1

CALL OUT: Today, our callout goes to the 3 men I baptized last weekend in Ocklawaha, FL. I am so proud of you for taking this step of obedience.

It's easy for believers to go from being a brother (Galatians 1:11) to being bewitched (Galatians 3:1).

"Bewitched" is a word found nowhere else in the New Testament. It means "to give the evil eye" or "to cast a spell over." This description of the Galatians stands in sharp contrast to the fact that some saw the crucified Jesus with their own eyes.

So why does Paul describe them in this way?

He is concerned about how easily believers were persuaded by foolish ideas, knowing they witnessed Jesus' atoning work on the Cross. Thus, he is pointing out the danger of unanchored beliefs.

Emotional responses to Jesus can be genuine but also dangerous. If they are founded on sheer emotion, then when emotions change, so will their beliefs, regardless of the "noticeable" facts. Yet the Galatians are not the only believers who acted this way. Contemporary believers also act this way. Many live from one emotional high to the next. Therefore, they become bewitched by baseless beliefs, leading them to chase after foolish ideologies, pursuing temporary emotional highs or spiritual euphoria.

As a believer, you will have emotional responses and spiritual highs, but you should check these. They need to be grounded on stable facts established by God's Word. Just so you know – the one fact that Paul is concerned about here is the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, which needs no additional work from us.

So, if you are a new believer today, I want you to enjoy that spiritual high. But do not found your beliefs on fleeting spiritual highs and be bewitched. Instead, found your life on the stable foundation of Jesus Christ.

#AnchoredInChrist #StableFaith #BewareTheSpell #EmotionalFaith #GalatiansInsights

ASK THIS:

1. How can we ensure that our faith remains anchored in the stable foundation of Jesus Christ amidst the highs and lows of our emotions?
2. Reflecting on your own spiritual journey, what steps can you take to guard against being bewitched by fleeting emotions and instead build a faith grounded in the atoning work of Christ?

DO THIS: Stop running from one emotional high to the next. Be grounded, not bewitched.

PRAY THIS: Father, help me anchor my faith securely in the unchanging truth of your Son's sacrifice, guarding against the allure of fleeting emotions and unstable beliefs. Grant me the wisdom and strength to remain steadfast in Christ, resisting the temptation to be swayed by anything less than the solid foundation of your Word. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Blessed Assurance.

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. — Galatians 2:21

CALL OUT: Today, our callout goes to Shawn Wilson from Fruit Cove, FL, a new member of the website. Thanks for your partnership with us.

Returning to yesterday's devotional, we learned that we live by faith. Faith in Jesus both saves and sustains us. Paul's follow-up today is that thinking that we can add anything to Jesus's accomplished work other than faith alone nullifies the greatness of God's grace and the purpose for which Jesus died.

The bottom line is we need grace. Grace is our only hope when we stand condemned before the Great Judge because, in matters of salvation, grace is all we have. We are guilty and sinful to the core, trapped by inescapable guilt. Therefore, trying to work our way out when there is no way out is a waste of time. Moreover, it's equally foolish to reject grace and pretend like we don't need it.

So stop wasting your time, stop nullifying God's grace, and accept it. Don't reject it. That is not noble. It's stupid. To reject it is to deny the very thing you need to receive.

#GraceAlone #SalvationThroughFaith #NullifyingGrace #RejectingGodsGrace #FaithVsWorks

ASK THIS:

1. How can we ensure that we're truly relying on God's grace alone for our salvation, rather than trying to earn it through our own efforts?
2. In what areas of our lives do we find ourselves tempted to rely on our own works or achievements instead of fully embracing the grace of God? How can we shift our perspective to trust in His grace more fully?

DO THIS: Stop rejecting God's grace.

PRAY THIS: Father, help me to grasp the depth of Your grace and to fully trust in it for my salvation, knowing that nothing I do can earn Your love. Guide me away from the temptation to rely on my own efforts and lead me to rest in Your unending grace. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Grace Got You.

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. — Galatians 2:19-20

CALL OUT: Today, I'd like to call out Chuck Peter from Roseville, MN, who yesterday marked his third year using our devotionals for his weekly Zoom meeting with his guys. It's my privilege to be a part of your group every week.

Galatians 2:20 is undoubtedly one of the great verses of this chapter and the entire letter.

Paul's point is that all our actions are futile. The law proved it. Our best actions on our best days were insufficient to reconcile our relationship with God. We needed the perfect action of a perfect man, Jesus, God's Son. Through his perfect work and his sacrifice for us on the Cross, we live. But from this point forward, it's not our life we live. It's his life.

The life I live is a life lived by faith—faith that both saves and sustains—faith that saves me from eternal damnation and sustains me while I am still in the flesh. Thus, it is pointless to accept salvation by faith and then live my life by my works (which is what the false teachers were teaching). Instead, I should accept salvation by faith and live his life (not mine) by faith in his work (not mine).

So here is the call to action for us based on this text:

We wake up, look in the mirror, and say aloud in faith, “I will not live by my power today because I am dead, and Jesus lives through me.”

Say it aloud throughout the day; believe it because it is the truth.

#FaithInChrist #SurrenderedLife #LivingByFaith #ChristInMe #GraceOverWorks

ASK THIS:

1. How does the concept of "dying to self" and allowing Christ to live through us challenge your approach to daily decisions and interactions?
2. Reflecting on your own journey of faith, what practical steps can you take to shift from relying on your own efforts to embracing Christ's life within you on a daily basis?

DO THIS: Say aloud, “I will not live by my power today because I am dead, and Jesus lives through me.”

PRAY THIS: Father, I humbly surrender my life to You, acknowledging my inability to save myself and embracing the transformative power of Christ living within me. Help me walk in faith each day, trusting in Your grace and allowing Your Spirit to guide my every step. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Give Me Faith.

But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. — Galatians 2:17-18

CALL OUT: Call out today to all the Leaders from Forged, our leadership training event in Florida. What a powerful group of men's leaders.

The point of this text is so simple and yet so profound.

Paul is saying that it is not my work that matters. It's Jesus's work. I tried my hand at building my life. It didn't work. All my work (the best of it and the worst of it) had to be torn down so that Jesus could build something new in me. He's the master carpenter. He always has been. I am not. I am merely the work of his hands. Therefore, my job is not rebuilding my life. It is living in the house he has already built. In addition, it's now living in this house with His Spirit, enjoying the work he has accomplished in me.

Too many believers accept Jesus and return to the same old patterns. A justified man who behaves like an unjustified man is exerting useless energy. They have failed to see the point of justification, and rather than enjoying the justifying work of Jesus, they work to add their justification to Jesus' work because they are failing to let him be Lord and Savior.

This is the point Paul is making about the Judaizers. They are teaching a Gospel of addition to Jesus's work, which is no Gospel at all. It's a man trying to play God.

So don't play God today. Enjoy the justification of Jesus. Live by faith. Keep in step with the Spirit. Let others see the power of a life justified by Jesus Christ.

#JustificationByFaith #ChristCenteredLife #LivingInHisWork #SpiritLedLiving #NoSelfJustification

ASK THIS:

1. How can we actively surrender our own efforts to rebuild our lives and instead embrace the work of Jesus in our daily walk?
2. In what areas of our lives are we prone to revert to self-justification rather than trusting in the justification provided by Jesus? How can we shift our focus to living in the freedom of His grace?

DO THIS: Enjoy the house Jesus built.

PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to fully surrender my efforts to rebuild my life and to embrace the work you have already accomplished in me through Jesus Christ. Grant me the strength to walk in faith, keeping in step with your Spirit, and to reflect your justifying grace to those around me. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Build My Life.

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. — Galatians 2:15-16

CALL OUT: Call out today to Bret Hoover from Allentown, PA, who is going to be baptized on March 17. A shirt is coming your way!

The following seven verses of this chapter are a highly potent, compressed, and theological language that drives home the whole point of the book. Paul's single point is this: acceptance by God is affected by a simple act of trust in Jesus Christ, not by adding anything else. And you need to remember because it's easy for this to get lost; the problem in Galatia is not a denial of the faith but the dilution of the faith by additions to the faith.

Keeping this in mind, Paul is stating that the only thing that matters is faith in Jesus Christ. A man's heritage and race are not the factor. We are all born sinful, Gentiles and Jews alike. The only birth that mattered was the birth of the sinless man, Jesus, God's Son. His work is our justification. His justifying work on the Cross, proven by his resurrection, fulfilled the works of the Law in a way no man could. Therefore, preaching a Gospel of any addition to the faith is a dilution of the faith. Adding something to the Gospel ends up taking everything from it.

But does this mean we shouldn't do good work? No!

It only means that when I am doing good works, that I am doing them from the overflow of His love, not to earn His love. I must be habitually aware that my salvation has been obtained by Jesus for me and that anything good work that comes from me is an overflow of his work in me. This means only that there is no such thing as self-justification for a believer. The only justifying work that matters is Jesus Christ's, so today, say it with spiritual confidence—"He has justified me!"

#FaithAlone #GraceOverWorks #JustifiedByChrist #GospelTruth #OverflowOfHisLove

ASK THIS:

1. How does understanding that our justification comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ impact the way we approach good works and service in our daily lives?
2. Reflecting on your own journey of faith, how has the realization of being justified by Christ's work on the Cross influenced your understanding of self-justification and reliance on His grace?

DO THIS: Say it with spiritual confidence—"He has justified me!"

PRAY THIS: Father, thank you for the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, through which I am justified. Help me to live each day in the overflow of Your love, freely sharing the grace I've received with others. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Justified By Faith Alone.

And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” — Galatians 2:13-14

CALL OUT: Call out today to Christopher Raynolds from Kingsport, TN, who is using the tools on our website for himself and others. Way to go, brother!

There are a bunch of great one-liners in this letter, and these verses contain two that are powerful:

1. Even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
2. If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?

Both of these accentuate Paul's point that even subtle acts of hypocrisy by spiritual leaders can potentially lead believers and unbelievers away from God. They will even lead sincere believers away from the truth.

This is why we must keep a watchful eye on who we listen to, what we believe, and how we behave. We need to give this attention because our spiritual inconsistencies have ripples that affect the lives of others.

On April 19, 1995, I was sitting in a college class, waiting for the class to begin. The professor was a little late on this day, and every student in class was watching the clock. At 9:02 am, we heard and felt it. Twelve miles from the epicenter, we felt a rush of wind and a sonic boom so loud it almost blew the hinges off the doors of the building. Timothy McVeigh ignited a bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. Dozens of cars were incinerated, and more than 300 nearby buildings were damaged or destroyed. The human toll was more devastating: 168 lives were lost, including 19 children, with several hundred more injured.

The force of hypocrisy by a spiritual leader is much like this—surprising and devastating. No one understood this better than Paul. His former life of self-righteousness led to spiritual devastation in the lives of so many. After his conversion, he understood the damaging effects of misunderstanding the Messiah and the true Message of the Gospel. And he, like many of us, had deep regrets about his former life and the explosive effects it continue to have on the message.

None of us will ever be perfect, but we can work with vigor to kill all hypocrisy that lives within our hearts. This requires daily work. Daily exposure to Scripture. Daily assessment of our motives. Daily redirection by the Holy Spirit. We aim to live in step with the Spirit and abide in the vine, which leads to Christ living in us and him having a powerful and positive effect on the lives of others, which is way better than leaving a trail and memory of devastation.

#SpiritualHypocrisy #TruthoftheGospel #DailyDevotion #ChristianLiving #SelfReflection

ASK THIS:

1. How can we proactively guard against spiritual hypocrisy in our own lives, especially in our roles as leaders or influencers within our communities?
2. In what ways can daily exposure to Scripture and intentional reflection on our motives help us align our actions more closely with the truth of the Gospel and avoid leading others astray?

DO THIS: Work with vigor against spiritual hypocrisy.

PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to be vigilant against any traces of hypocrisy in my life, and guide me to live authentically according to the truth of your Gospel, so that I may positively impact the lives of those around me. Strengthen me daily through Your Word and Your Spirit, as I strive to reflect Your grace and truth to the world. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Faithfulness.

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. — Galatians 2:11

CALL OUT: Call out today to Joey Johnson from Woodbury, MN, who is leading a group using our easy-to-use resource 30 Men Who Lived With Conviction.

Antioch is an essential city during Paul's time. Today, this is Antakiya, located in Turkey. However, during the Roman Empire, Antioch was the third largest city in the empire, with about half a million people. It was the capital city of Syria and was known as the "Rome of the East,” furnished with theaters, aqueducts, public baths, a great basilica, and a famous colonnaded main street adorned with marble pavement and vaulted stone roofs.

Antioch was also ground zero for Paul and his apostolic ministry to the Gentiles. It played a crucial role in Paul's ministry for several reasons. First, it served as a base for his missionary journeys, launching him into diverse regions with the gospel message. Second, its cosmopolitan nature made it an ideal location for financially supporting the advancement of the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles. Third, the Antioch church's early acceptance of Gentile believers affirmed Paul's mission as the apostle to the Gentiles. Fourth, the church is also willing to wrestle with theological issues, leading to the Jerusalem Council's decision affirming salvation by grace through faith. Fifth, Paul's collaborative efforts with Antioch's leaders, such as Barnabas and Silas, strengthened his ministry and provided mutual support. Overall, the Antioch church served as a pivotal "northern hub" for the Gospel to the Roman Empire.

Knowing this context, Peter visits Antioch, and we will explore the confrontation here in the coming verses. For now, I would like you to take note of the moment here. Peter, the man identified as a "pillar" of the Jerusalem Church, meets with Paul, the Antioch Church's pillar. The setup here sounds like a weigh-in between two prize fighters coming face-to-face with each other. But remember, these two men don't hate each other; they are brothers challenging one another for the purpose and preservation of the Gospel.

When believers love one another, love the Gospel truth, and love Jesus, they know how to do this. They know how to get in each other's faces. They know when to do it, how to do it, and why they do it.

Paul does it here because he knows that if it is left unaddressed, it will harm the Gospel. Clearly, it did because Paul had to deal with the issue again by writing this letter.

Which leads us to a critical application. If you know a believer doing something wrong and needs to be corrected, why aren't you doing or saying something about it? If you don't, the issue could get so out of hand that it might become irreconcilable.

#GospelPreservation #BrotherlyConfrontation #ChurchLeadership #AccountabilityMatters #PaulandPeter

ASK THIS:

1. Reflect on a time when you witnessed a fellow believer engaging in behavior contrary to the Gospel. Did you address it, and if not, what held you back? How can you approach similar situations differently in the future?
2. Consider the importance of accountability in your Christian community. How can you cultivate an environment where loving confrontation is embraced for the sake of preserving the truth of the Gospel?

DO THIS: Who do you need to confront?

PRAY THIS: Lord, grant me the courage and wisdom to lovingly confront my brothers and sisters in Christ when their actions stray from Your truth, knowing that by doing so, we can uphold the integrity of the Gospel and strengthen our bonds as a community. Help me to always prioritize the preservation of Your Word above personal comfort or convenience. Amen.

PLAY THIS: God Help Me.

And when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. — Galatians 2:9-10

CALL OUT: Call out today to Jim from Dayton, IA, a friend of Steve Pinkley, the Director at Hidden Acres Camp. I was pumped to hear you shared your testimony, and you mentioned "All In" numerous times.

The three men mentioned are the inner circle of Jesus. Paul calls them those "who seemed to be pillars," which sounds a little derogatory even though Paul never contested it. We have to assume there was a slight veneration of these men, given the time they spent with Jesus and how others perceived them.

Paul was sensitive to this type of public veneration. In Galatians 5, he states:

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. — Galatians 5:25-26

Paul understood that veneration of any kind, real or perceived, could lead believers to spiritual missteps. Elevating a leader has the potential to instigate arrogance and jealousy, which can persuade a spiritual leader to get out of step with the Spirit and have an unintended effect on followers.

But this meeting was not about the decision of a triad of venerated individuals deciding for Paul and Barnabas. Paul does not want this meeting to be perceived that way. Instead, this meeting was a debate about the true nature of the Gospel as declared by Jesus, which, in my opinion, the triad (including Peter) was representing wrongly, and Paul and Barnabas represented rightly.

Again, perceptions are powerful. What we think about ourselves and what others think about us have the power to direct or misdirect. Spiritual leaders are responsible for stewarding this by doing two things well—remaining in step with the Spirit and directing all glory to God.

Remember, when others stand you on a pillar, say to yourself: It ain't about me. It's all about He.

#SpiritualLeadership #HumilityInLeadership #GalatiansInsights #InnerCircleFaith #GloryToGod

ASK THIS:

1. How can we ensure that our admiration for spiritual leaders remains grounded in humility and does not lead to idolization or division within the community?
2. In what ways can we actively redirect any praise or recognition we receive towards God, acknowledging that all glory ultimately belongs to Him?

DO THIS: Say this one time today: It ain't about me. It's all about He.

PRAY THIS: Father, help me to walk in humility, recognizing that any leadership role I may have is a gift from You and an opportunity to serve others. May Your Spirit guide me to always direct glory back to You, keeping my focus on Your will and Your kingdom. Amen.

PLAY THIS: I Speak Jesus.

On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), — Galatians 2:7-8

CALL OUT: Call out today to Brian Lydick from Belpre, Ohio. Thank you for sharing your testimony and God's divine intervention in your wife's life.

Paul's point here is very positive. It is that they, Paul and Peter, are two men preaching the same Gospel called to two different spheres of influence by one Spirit as agreed upon in the meeting at Jerusalem.

Paul is advocating for unity in the Gospel by the Spirit. Not a unity that ignores heresy or apostasy. A unity of effort that is true to the Gospel message that invites the one Spirit to reach many different people.

This accentuates the point that, as believers, we need to try to work out our faith together. God gave us life. We are redeemed by Jesus. The Holy Spirit sustains us all. He gave us one message and one Gospel. Therefore, we have an obligation to work out his life together with others, even if it's hard. In light of everything our Trinitarian God has done for us, we, too, should reflect his unity, even though we have differing spheres of influence.

This means I should celebrate and support what God is doing in other believers, churches, and ministries that align with God's message, God's Son, and God's Spirit. So, if this is you today, here is my prayer for you:

God, you have so many God-fearing, Gospel-centered, Spirit-led ministries in this world today. Each is doing your work for your glory. Today, I ask for your blessing on all of them. Today, as we are led by your Spirit, I ask that you do a mighty work in us together. Amen.

#UnityInTheSpirit #EmbracingDiversity #OneGospelManyCallings #CelebratingGodsWork #SpiritLedMinistries

ASK THIS:

How can we actively support and celebrate the work of other believers, churches, and ministries that align with the Gospel message, even if their spheres of influence differ from ours?
In what practical ways can we demonstrate unity amidst diversity within the body of Christ, ensuring that our efforts reflect the message of God's love and redemption to the world?

DO THIS: Pray for unity in the Gospel.

PRAY THIS: Father, thank You for the diverse ways Your Spirit moves among believers, uniting us in purpose despite our different callings. Help me to actively support and celebrate Your work in others, reflecting Your unity and love to the world. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Together.

To them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. — Galatians 2:5-6

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In conflict, we have choices, don't we?

There is that moment of pause where we have the option to confront or dismiss.

For example, I can recount many moments in "discussions" with my wife when I have a split second to decide whether I confront a particular issue or let it go. The issue is discerning which battle to fight and how vigorously I want to fight it. Have you been here? Maybe you're in the middle of a moment just like this today.

This is the same decision Paul had to make regarding this issue. He had to make a choice. Was he going to dismiss the issue and build stronger alliances and allegiances with the influential leaders in the Jerusalem church and the originating apostles? Or was the matter at hand worth confronting and critical to stand against?

In this case, Paul weighed the options. He weighed the threat's level, the message's value, and the importance of spiritual freedom for believers and decided that it was worth the fight and even his reputation. Therefore, he went all in.

But Paul never perceived the vigor with which he would oppose the false teachers as a move to win an argument for himself. He knew what he believed and understood the Gospel message was justified by Christ and received by faith and not other addition to this Gospel. Yet he was going to fight vigorously for the faith and freedom of others because he understood that one wrong theological move would precipitate another until, one day, the Gospel was no longer the Gospel at all.

In life, we will often face similar dilemmas:

Ethical Dilemmas: Do we confront an ethical issue or overlook it?
Conflict Dilemmas: Do we address the deeper issues or let them go?
Injustice Dilemmas: Do we speak up to protect the rights of another, or do we take a pass?
Authority Dilemmas: Do we challenge the actions of authorities whose policies and procedures conflict with our own?

It's tough to know what to do sometimes, but if you have assessed the threat, the value of the message, prioritized freedom, and are willing to risk your reputation, then it's much easier to know when it's time to take a stand.

#ConflictResolution #StandFirm #CourageousChoices #FaithfulDecisions #EthicalDilemmas

ASK THIS:

Reflecting on your own experiences, recall a time when you had to decide whether to confront a difficult situation or let it go. How did you approach that decision, and what were the outcomes?

Consider a current conflict or ethical dilemma you're facing. How can the principles discussed in this devotional guide your decision-making process? What steps can you take to ensure that your response aligns with your values and priorities?

DO THIS: Assess, value, prioritize, and risk it.

PRAY THIS: God, grant me the wisdom to discern when to stand firm in confronting conflicts and when to extend grace in letting them go, all while prioritizing the values of truth, justice, and love in my actions. Amen.

PLAY THIS: I Will Trust You.

Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery — Galatians 2:4

CALL OUT: Call out today to Derrick Bressel and the team from Fresno, CA. Thanks for your friendship and partnership in the Gospel.

If you think woke theology in the church is a new problem, well, you're wrong.

Paul is writing this letter because false teachers in his day were sneaking in their own version of woke theology.

I love the metaphor Paul uses here. He describes these false teachers as "spies" who have "slipped in" and "secretly" operate by dropping in misinformation for "enslaving" Gospel-believing people. This metaphor is so potent because it highlights the problem and the purpose of woke theology.

The problem with woke theology is that it sounds like the truth, yet it only contains shreds of truth. Yet it has just enough shreds of the truth that it's pretty presentable and persuasive. It seems reasonable, even though it's not.

The purpose of woke theology is to entrap and enslave. It has an ulterior motive with an oppressive end. If surrendered to, it becomes clear that its purpose is submission to ideas that submit people to behaviors and oppressive people with a selfish agenda in mind.

The easiest way to detect a spy who has slipped in and secretly plans to enslave is to know the true Gospel. It's to know the Gospel message of Christ that leads to freedom. You must understand it so well that even a hint of untruth mixed with the Gospel truth will alert your heart, mind, and soul. But to know it this well, you need to read, experience, and live it so that when it comes time to detect it, you will know how to respond.

And this is why starting our days here together is essential. Each time we do, we are renewing and retraining our minds to the only truth—the Gospel truth.

#GuardTheGospel #WokeTheologyAlert #FreedomInChrist #DetectDeception #RenewYourMind

ASK THIS:

1. How can we actively guard ourselves against the infiltration of false teachings, like woke theology, while remaining open-hearted and loving towards others?
2. In what ways can we deepen our understanding of the true Gospel message in order to better discern between truth and deception in today's cultural and theological landscape?

DO THIS: Know the Gospel better.

PRAY THIS: Father, grant me wisdom and discernment to recognize and resist the subtle traps of false teachings, so that I may stand firm in the truth of Your Gospel and experience the freedom You offer. Help me to continually renew my mind in Your Word, strengthening my resolve to follow You faithfully each day. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Surely.

Do you have enough masculine strength to be vulnerable and seek counsel from God and others? — A devotional by Vince Miller.

Everyone's conversion experience is different. But there are some of us who need more perseverance in grace. — A devotional by Vince Miller.