Love God, love others. That's what life is all about. Nothing should get in the way of these commands. This is the esence of what being a follower of Christ is. That's the example He gave us.

I found this video that reminds us that we aren't here for ourselves, but for others. We're just so self conscious that we can't see other peoples needs. It's called "Get Service". Check it out.

Labels: faith, galatians, love, purpose, service

Just reading chapter 3 of Galatians, and reflecting on a simple truth, we are to live by faith. We cannot please God unless we have faith. We have no hope unless we have faith. Faith, faith, faith.

In a world governed by sight, touch, smell, bank accounts, 401k's, credit cards, loans, debt, materialism, pleasures, invesements, fast food, cars, bikes, entertainment, professions, work, safety deposit boxes, attics, basements, storages, walgreens and walmarts, hobbies, trends, fashion, popularity, safety, locks, police, hospitals, computers, cellphones, iphones... and the list goes on...

...we are to live by faith. There is enough in this world to make us think we don't need it, but then again, without faith, true Life can't happen.

"Withouth faith it is impossible to please God." Hebrews 11:6

Labels: faith, galatians, life, truth

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6b

Sometimes it's just amazes me how we can make the important things about life and Christianity so hard. It's not that they are hard or impossible to do. It's that when the human factor hits; the ego, pride, selfishness; we make things harder than they seem.

It's not about how good you sing in church, or how much you give, or how long you've been a Christian. It's about showing God's love. Can you tell me why, when someone is doing the right thing in God's eyes, they end up thinking it's about them? Why does service and obedience turn out to feel like a burden in our eyes? If love is the expression of our faith, what do you call it when all you do is whine about what you for others?

Don't tell me you are doing something for the sake of another. Tell me you are doing it because of love. In itself, I believe that is the source of our strength to continue.

Labels: faith, galatians, love, service

One thing you'll never go wrong with is doing good to other people. As a matter of fact, you are motivated to do so. Any oportunity that comes your way, do good to others, "especially to those who belong to the family of believers" Galatians 6:9-10.

What happens when we do good to others? Primarily, verse 2 speaks of us fulfilling the law. Our second most important command shows us this route. That's all Jesus did; do good to others.

But secondly, it takes the focus off ourselves. We focus so much on ourselves that we start ignoring God and others. We become so "busy" with our things that, in the long run, God's things aren't a priority.

That is why this word "opportunity" is so important. Don't waste the opportunities to do good. Take advantage of everyone of them today. You'll be fulfilling God's command, and be stronger in order to resist your own desires because the focus is off you.

Labels: command, deny, galatians, good, law, opportunity

Paul says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free" (Galatians 5:1). Doesn't that sound dumb to say? Actually, no. Believe it or not, people have to be reminded what freedom is about. People that are freed that go back to a life of crime and have to be put back into jail can meditate on this a bit, while behind bars.

But don't go to far. Paul isn't referring to just crimes. He's talking to believers of Christ, that have been freed from the chains of sin, but have gone back to sin or to live under the law; meaning that they are doing things trying to obtain God's forgiveness.

Going back to the law was to fulfill certain rituals. The idea of trying to "do" things to be at peace with God is something God said it was impossible for man. That whole lifestyle is what Paul refers to as "a yoke of slavery".

When we have to submit to the law and reject the grace of Christ, we're putting ourselves under slavery again. Christ sets us free but we are prideful enough to say "nah, I gotta do something too".

Paul says "Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery". In other words, it's a waste of time trying to do things. Accept the fact the Christ paid it all. In your freedom, now, live a free life. Show others how to be free.

Labels: Christ, forgiveness, freedom, galatians, law, paul, slavery

"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." Galatians 5:9

Labels: dough, galatians, pride, sins, tolerate, yeast

Knowing someone goes both ways. You can know "things" about someone by reading or studying them. But you won't really "know" someone unless you spend time with them. There's only so much that you can catch from the books.

But there is another thing to consider. When you get to know someone intimately, if you want to really make the most of that relationship, you got to show yourself too. It's like marriage. You can't pretend to want to know your partner, and yet hide yourself, you have to open up too.

Here's my reflection for you: If it depended on you, how well does God know you? Galatians 4:9a says "But now that you know God-or rather are known by God...". If someone would ask God, "do you know him?" What would God say?

Labels: galatians, god, intimacy, know, marriage, relationship

One of the things that breaks my heart is to see a creature of God, the crown of His creation, desperately walking the streets trying to survive.

As I read Galatians 2 I ran into this verse: "All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor..." (v.10).

Paul is talking about his first moments of ministry, after he finally had been accepted by the Apostles. Remember it took Paul about 17 years to finally do what he was so eager to do which was share the Gospel to the gentiles. He had spent years studying, working hard up the scale of trust; gaining a position among the early Christians; gaining a reputation, and after all that work again he is reminded of the simplicity of God's second command "love thy neighbor as yourself".

I guess this reflection could appeal to those "high" in power or spirituality. It is easy to forget the essence of loving someone when you're so "high" up there. But then again it doesn't matter where you think you are, spiritually speaking. I think this simple reminder that Paul got comes in handy from time to time. My prayers are that we may pause from looking at how spiritual we may "feel", and remember our calling in this world. May our response to this recommendation sound something like Paul's: To remember the poor is "...the very thing I was eager to do" (Galatians 2:10).

Labels: galatians, ministry, paul, poor, remember, service