Walk by the Spirit  ¹It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. ²Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. ⁴You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. ⁵For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. ⁶For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. ⁷You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? ⁸This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. ⁹A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.¹⁰I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. ¹¹But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.¹²I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.  Galatians 5.1-12, NASB

[I use different translations of Scripture because I find that reading different versions can be enlightening, and interesting.  I am often asked which is best—that requires a subjective answer, of course.  For understanding, I usually start with the New International Version, which is very readable, then pick up the New Living Translation, which uses contemporary language, but is still a translation.  I like studying the New King James Version.  For a totally different ‘take’, I consult The Message, which is a paraphrase; but I happen to think its author, Eugene Peterson, is masterful with the languages and meaning of Scripture.  The church I attend uses the New Revised Standard Version as does one of my favorite scholars, Dallas Willard.  The New American Standard Version is always solid, and it is from that version 

Good Morning!

Well, I must confess that I am struggling with making Paul’s discussion on the Law poignant for us today—it just seems like ‘duh, why didn’t they get it?  Why did Paul have to come at it one way, and then another??’   Yet, imagine if your life had been steeped in the rigors of the Law since you learned to talk, and suddenly, you were cut loose!  Remember, that the Galatians were trying to figure how to live without all matters of daily life being dictated by their adherence of Torah law.  I looked up the Mitzvot, and included a link for you http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/613_Commandments.  Please make sure to scroll down until you see the simple list, handed down by Maimonides, highly-revered rabbi from 12^th century Spain.   This gives us insight to just how much was prescribed for them—why, the Law made it possible for the Jews not to have to think too much, or make many judgments!  (All 613 may not have been spelled out in the 1^st century, but seeing the volume of rules shows the well-built boundaries they would have no doubt sought to stay within.)

We act, not as those bound to rules in order to prove our holiness, but rather as those who are led by the Spirit, and wish to lead our lives out of our love for our great God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.  (This would be where you would shout “Amen!” if we were live together--) I am stopping right here to pray that you, my friends, will understand the truth of those words.  I have been studying and asking God to help me ‘get’  this, and by jove, I ‘got it’---now, you pray, and you ‘get it’!

I pray you love Him,