https://esv.literalword.com/?q=isa+41%3B+Galatians+3
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 16 June 2023:
Isaiah 41:22-24 – [The Futility of Idols] Tell us what is to happen. Tell us the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, that we may know their outcome; or declare to us the things to come. Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; do good, or do harm, that we may be dismayed and terrified. Behold, you are nothing, and your work is less than nothing; an abomination is he who chooses you.
Isaiah 41 continues to proclaim the assurance we have in God’s grace and provision through Jesus — “I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you’…. I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel…. Fear not…. And you shall rejoice in the Lord; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.” (Isaiah 41:9, 10, 13, 14, 16)
Isaiah 41 closes by reminding us of the futility of idols, those powerless things in which we are tempted to place our hope and to serve ahead of God, those things which we tend to honor and oblige instead of devoting ourselves entirely to God and trusting Him completely. Though the proof of God is more than apparent (revealed in His creation, our conscience, His works, and His word) as well as the proof of the powerlessness of all man-made idols, God knows His people still need a constant reminder; God knows how prone we are in our sinful condition to be fearful and prideful and to turn to idols rather than to Him, to walk in the flesh rather than in the Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 — What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- Luke 16:13 — No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
- 1 Corinthians 10:14 — Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.” (1 Samuel 15:23) Today, our idols are not likely represented by statues; instead, they are revealed in what motivates us and influences our behavior more than God and His word; they are what we really prioritize each day ahead of God. These are they which cause us to say things like, “I just don’t have enough time today to really study my Bible, pray, and share Jesus with others,” or which prevent us from giving our time, talents, and resources to the church and to people around us in need. Just like the word is spelled, idolatry begins with “I” – “I want…. I deserve…. I think…. I believe…. I fear….” The heart of idolatry is self-centeredness, which is the original sin – “But the serpent said… You will not surely die…. You will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4, 5) Idolatry replaces “Thy will be done,” with “My will be done,” and adds sorrow and pain to what God intended to be blessings – work, relationships, provisions, belongings, etc: “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22) “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply.” (Psalm 16:4) “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.” (Psalm 32:10)
When the powerless idol of self lets us down, we can become more fearful, prideful, bitter, angry, joyless, and isolated from God and from others; or we can repent of our sin and return to the Lord so we may experience love, peace, rest, and the fullness of joy in Him. Perhaps you needed Isaiah’s reminder this morning, “Behold your God!” Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Cast out your idols today by denying self, taking up your cross, following Jesus, obeying Him, and trusting Him through all circumstances. Christ is sufficient.
Galatians 3:24-26 — So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
The law is the word of God, the manifestation of His character and His will. It is not outside of His will. Jesus said He did not come to abolish the law but rather to fulfill it. The law serves as a curb (to keep you on the right track), a mirror (to reveal your sin to you), and a guide (to show you where to go). The law is a guardian against our natural instincts which yet to be yielded to God’s perfect will. The law sets boundaries for those who need boundaries. However, the law, in itself, cannot change a person’s heart. Only Jesus can change a person’s heart. When a person has a heart for Jesus, they no longer need the boundaries of the law because they no longer have a heart for sin.
Many obey the law because they are scared not to obey. Many obey the law because they take pride in their self-made righteousness. Many obey the law out of a sense of duty. However, God wants us to love Jesus with all of our hearts so that there is no longer a concern about obeying the law — obedience is the natural product of love. Jesus said that if you obey the Greatest Commandment of Love, the rest of the law will be covered. Likewise, if you disobey the details of the law, you have already disobeyed the law of love. The law cannot save you or change your heart, but if you are disobeying the law you are revealing a problem with your heart that has yet to yield to sanctification. The law does not save, but it still serves as a curb, mirror, and guide where we are not yet perfected in love.
Galatians 3:24 — So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
The Law reveals your sinfulness and disobedience which should lead you to repentance and to Jesus. The Law does not save you, but the Law is used by the Holy Spirit to convict you in the process of sanctification, growing closer to God in pursuit of oneness.
Galatians 3:25 — Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
Once again, when you are motivated by genuine love for Jesus, you no longer need the law to control you because love will compel you to obey from a genuine desire. Love is always more powerful than duty or fear of punishment. Many themes are repeated on purpose.
Galatians 3:25, 26 — For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
A person can never achieve righteousness through their own obedience, nor can the law create unconditional love for God in someone’s heart. All require mercy, grace, and salvation through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 3:27 — …for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Covered in Christ, you are clothed in His righteousness giving you freedom from condemnation and special access to the Father. You are now free and uniquely empowered to follow God in obedience without fear of rejection from Him or separation from His love.
Galatians 3:28 — There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Christians, Ambassadors for Christ, have no business discussing the politics of race, ethnicity, nationality, or any other man-made social stratification which commonly divides society and distracts people from the only topic that truly matters, Jesus. The physical, geographic boundaries that divided population groups and produced different races and cultures and that promoted distrust have no impact on the spiritual world. Today, people seek to find their identity and seek to identify others by their outward attributes — much ungodly pride is involved here. Race, ethnicity, nationality, and gender are not virtues; do not take pride in any of them or show favoritism because of any of them. Man-made stratifications of people do not factor into God’s economy and are almost always used by people for political purposes. There are two classifications of people in the world, followers of Christ and the unsaved. Your mission is to make disciples of all nations and to seek reconciliation between those who are divided from Jesus and each other.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 16 June 2023: Today, consider whether knowing and sharing Jesus is really your priority today (your focus, your motivation, your desire, your goal) or something else. Consider your idols, and pray that God will help you serve only Him as Master.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 