Biblical Promises
Christian Promises
Christianity Oasis provides this Biblical Promises Bible Verses study on Christian Promises in the Bible bringing forth truth, understanding and peace.
Christianity Oasis Ministry
presents
Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians
Chapter 4
Biblical Promises Bible Verses
Christian Promises in the Bible
Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our very interesting Biblical Promises Bible Verses study taking a look into Christian Promises in the Bible. The absolutely essential message will truly bring a smile to the lips and heart and shine the LIGHT of Truth upon your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk path.
Biblical Promises Bible Verses Quest
Christian Promises in the Bible Explained
It's always a delight to greet you once again at Daily Bread. At the end of our last study, Paul explained that we inherit the promise that God made to Abraham because we are one in Christ ... Part of Him, who was Abraham's seed (Genesis 22:18, Matthew 1:1-15). Next, Paul gives the Galatians a little comparison.
An heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a servant, even though he stands to inherit everything; but is under guardians until the time designated by the father. Now, think of us as children (heirs) of God, and we were servants in bondage under the law, but when it was the designated time, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might be adopted as sons. And because we're sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Father, Father. So now, you are no longer a servant, but a son, and if you're a son, then you're an heir of God through Christ.
That is pretty easy to understand of our own lives even today. The Spirit of Jesus is in our hearts, therefore we are sons, therefore we are heirs.
So, Paul addressing the Galatians who show evidence of being con-vinced that law is still the way, can't believe that they have been persuaded after knowing the Truth. He explains to them, before you knew God, you served gods that don't exist. But now that you have known God, or rather are known of God, why do you turn again to the weak and contemptible principles? Do you miss being slaves?
Biblical Promises Bible Verses Lesson
Christian Promises in the Bible Adventure
In other words ... Now that you know of God's Grace why would you want to return to be under the law?
You think you honor God by what you do on certain days or months or seasons. I'm afraid for you, that I've spent effort on you for nothing. Brethren, I beg you, be as free as I am, because I am as you once were, you didn't despise me then at all.
Oft times we encounter those we show the Truth to and they may wander off the path of Truth. When you try and tell them, they think they know all the answers and cannot hear you. Paul is saying that for them to go against his words of Truth is not hurting Paul but they are going against God and hurting themselves.
Paul continues, recalling when he first encountered those from Galatia. You know how through weakness of the flesh I preached the Gospel to you at the beginning. And my illness which was in my flesh, you didn't look down upon or reject, but you welcomed me as a messenger of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Paul had some kind of visible ailment. He mentions this also in 2 Corinthians 12:7. Without modern medicine, back in those times, this was considered unclean and for fear of contagion, people would probably not want to associate with someone who was afflicted with such a thing.
Biblical Promises Bible Verses Truth
Christian Promises in the Bible For You
Where is the blessedness you spoke of back then? Paul is saying, What happened to the gratitude and happiness you had because the Gospel of Truth was brought to, realized, and enjoyed by you?
Because I tell the Truth, that if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Have I in return become your enemy because I tell you the Truth?
Others passionately influence you, but not for a good cause, yes, they want to shut you off from me so that you will give your attention to them. But it's good to be zealously moved always for a good cause, and not only when I am present with you. This means that others might try and uplift you but they may be trying to use you for their own benefit. In short. they smile at your face but wanna take your place. Beware of backstabbers.
My little children, of whom I labor in birth again, until Christ is formed in you, I wish I was with you now and to change my voice (tone), because I stand in doubt of you.
Biblical Promises Bible Verses Discussion
Christian Promises in the Bible Path
Don't miss the emotion in Paul's heart when he says this. He feels like the Galatians have gone back to square one. They are like newborn babes again, and he has to labor to bring them back to the point of faith. Think of how much time, effort, pain, etc., it takes to bear a child, nurture it and teach it, until Christ is solid in their heart and they're strong enough to survive the challenges of the ungodly world.
Paul, in prison now, can only write to the Galatians, he cannot visit them in person, and he says, Oh, how I wish I was with you now, and I didn't have to talk this way because I fear for your weakness. Remember, he is relying on a written letter to express such deep feelings and heartache. The communication in this letter has to be enough to reach in and touch the hearts of the Galatians ... Enough to halt their backpedaling and get them moving forward again toward faith, because right now, they're headed in the wrong direction. That's quite a tall order, but if anyone can do this, Paul can.
Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not understand the law? It is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid (Hagar) and the other by a freewoman (Sarah). The son of the bondmaid was born according to the flesh (from man's decision), but the son of the freewoman was according to the promise (God's decision).
Biblical Promises Bible Verses Facts
Christian Promises in the Bible Vow
These things are symbolic of the two covenants. The one from the mount Sinai (where the law was given), which leads to bondage, which is Hagar. Because this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and (Hagar) is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above (Isaiah 2:2), is free (where God bestowed Grace), which is the mother of us all (Christianity sprang forth out of Israel). For it is written ( Isaiah 54:1), Sing, O barren, thou that did not bear (Sarah), break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child, for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.
Now we, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But just like back then, he that was born according to the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even as it is today. Nevertheless, what does the scripture say? Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman (Genesis 21:10). So then, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Biblical Promises Bible Verses Conclusion
Christian Promises in the Bible Summary
I didn't want to interrupt the flow of Paul's explanation of the symbolism of the bondwoman and the freewoman, so I saved this Daily Bread Crumb for the end.
Back in Abraham's time, most of the eastern half of the Sinai Peninsula was part of Arabia, and the western side belonged to the Egyptian Empire, just in case you're wondering why Paul referred to mount Sinai in Arabia. A more interesting thing to note, however, is that the descendants of the bondmaid's son, Ishmael, are the Arab nations who are Muslim (also known as Islamic). They are still persecuting the descendants of the freewoman's son, Isaac, who are the Christians, or the heirs of the promise.
Paul still has much more to say to the Galatians to bring them back around to the truth, so come on back to Daily Bread again soon, and we'll share it together next time.
There is a force out there that is attempting to overtake us all; it is Satan. There is another force that is protecting us from him; it is the Holy Spirit. It is a battle for souls. This battle is called Spiritual Warfare, and like it or not, you are right in the middle of it.
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