Ephesians 1:15

Ephesians 1:15 says, Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,  Paul told the church at Ephesus that he had heard of their faith in Christ.  As stated before, news did not travel that fast in Paul's day, but news of their faith had reached Paul.  He said that he had not only heard of their faith in Christ, but also of their love for all saints, or Christians.  We need the same testimony to be ours today, and that is that through Christ we love all people, and especially that we love all fellow believers.  Verse sixteen adds, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;  Paul said that he gave thanks to God for their faithful obedience to God and that he prayed for them.  I believe that when Paul said he made mention of them in his prayers that it meant more than just saying their name, but that he sincerely lifted them up to God that He might strengthen them.  We should be thankful for all fellow Christians and sincerely pray for them.  Verse seventeen continues, That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  Paul prayed that the church at Ephesus would grow in their knowledge of God.  They could only do this as they looked to God to increase their knowledge of Him.  The Holy Spirit will lead us to a better understanding of what we should be as followers of Christ if we allow Him to.  Verse eighteen states, The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,  This is just a further expansion of what was said in verse seventeen.  We will see life in the hope of God's calling with the riches of the glory of the inheritance that God will give us.  This is not a promise of the temporary riches of the world, but of the everlasting riches heaven.  Verse nineteen adds, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,  I believe that Paul was saying that even as the Holy Spirit leads us to a better understanding of God that we still fail to understand the greatness of God's riches and power.  Verse twenty continues, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,  Paul tells us that God revealed His power and greatness through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  What the world viewed as a defeat of Christ really only led to His victory over sin and death, not only for Himself but for all who put their faith in salvation through Him.  Verse twenty-one says, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  Paul tells us that the power of Christ is not only greater than any power of this life, but His power is greater than any in the world to come.  We belong to and are protected by God forever if we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-two adds, And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head overall things to the church,  Paul tells us that everything is placed under the feet of Christ, or ultimately under His redemptive power.  This is especially true of the church, of which Christ is the head.  If we allow any person to become the source of authority in the church, other than Christ Himself being the authority, then something is wrong.  Verse twenty-three continues, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.  Paul was still referring to the church, with Christ as the head and the believers as the body.  We, as the church or the followers of Christ, are to always be under the leadership of God through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Ephesians 1:7

Ephesians 1:7 says, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  If we are redeemed to God, it is only through the blood of Christ.  If our sins are forgiven, it is not by any action on our part, but by the blood of Christ.  This is only made possible by the grace of God.  There has never been nor never will be any way to salvation except by accepting what Christ did for everyone on the cross.  Verse eight adds, Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;  God gives us the wisdom to know the truth of salvation through Christ.  God not only provides the only way to salvation, but He gives us the faith to have the knowledge accept that salvation.  Rejection of salvation is purely an act of self will on the part of an individual, and salvation is purely an act of faith in following the will of God.  Verse nine continues, Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  Paul said that God had made known the mystery of His will.  We can never know God by our own ability but can only know Him as He reveals Himself to us.  Salvation will never be dependent on any act of people other than the acceptance of Christ as their Savior and Lord through faith, which is itself giving to them by God.  Verse ten states, That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  I believe that Paul was speaking about the second coming of Christ.  When God determines the time to be right, then all of those who belong to Christ through faith will be gathered together.  We do not need to worry about when, but only be assured of the truth that we are assured of that fact.  Verse eleven adds, In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:  Paul just offers further assurance that those who put their faith in Christ have gained a part in His inheritance.  I believe that salvation by Christ is what was preordained, and not the salvation of any particular individual or individuals.  Verse twelve continues, That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.  We are not saved for our own glory, but for the glory of God, as Paul states here.  This glory to God comes through our acceptance of Christ, a free will act on the part of every individual.  Though God could have forced us to serve Him, it is to His glory that He allows us to make the choice.  Verse thirteen proclaims, In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  These promises are made to those who put their faith in Christ.  Once someone accepts the truth of salvation by Christ alone, they are sealed to a relationship with the Father by the Holy Spirit.  The only way a person who is truly saved could lose their salvation would be if they were more powerful than God, since He seals the relationship.  Verse fourteen adds, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.  The Holy Spirit is the assurance of our inheritance until the final redemption.  We need only rest assured that we are God's forever through our faith in Christ.

Ephesians 1:1

Ephesians 1:1 says, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:  As usual, Paul identified himself and those he was writing to.  He identified himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.  Paul did not feel that this was a title that he had somehow earned but was a position that God had called him to.  Paul said he was writing to the saints at Ephesus.  As we should already know, this did not mean some group of super Christians, but to all who were believers in Christ.  Paul also identified them as the faithful in Christ.  If we are to be identified as saints of God, those who are set aside from the world, then we must be faithful to Christ.  Verse two adds, Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul asked that the grace of God would be with the church at Ephesus.  The grace of God would lead to peace in their lives and should in ours as well.  The church was not a place, but a fellowship of believers.  When Paul said from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, he was not speaking about two Gods, but one God that we see manifested in two ways.  Though Paul did not mention the Holy Spirit, we know that He is the other Person of the Trinity.  We cannot divide God into three separate gods.  The Bible is consistent throughout that there is but one God.  Verse three Paul continues, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  As just stated, Paul was not dividing God, but was simply acknowledging that God as our heavenly father should be blessed for sending the Son to redeem us.  Paul said that God is the source of all spiritual blessings.  We cannot just decide what blessings we want from God and expect Him to have to give them to us .  Paul was persecuted and imprisoned for much of his ministry, but he said that God should still be blessed.  We cannot allow material things to come between us and God.  Verse four states, According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  There are those who read this and claim that certain people were ordained before creation to be saved and that they are the only ones who will be saved.  I do not believe that this is what Paul was saying, but instead was saying that even before the foundation of the world that God had His redemption plan in place.  This plan of salvation is available to everyone and not just a select few.  Verse five adds, Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  As just stated, I believe this adoption is what was predestined, and not just a particular person or group of people who could receive it.  We can never be any more than the adopted children of God through faith in Christ.  Verse six continues, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  Paul praised God for His grace, from which He had made us acceptable through Christ.  It is only by the grace of God that we are saved.  For this alone, with no earthly or material reward, we should praise God.  If everything on earth is lost, our salvation is still secure by our faith in Christ.

Galatians Review

In the book of Galatians, Paul addressed false teachings that had entered the church there.  Paul did not just go to an area and preach the gospel then go away and forgot them.  It was much more difficult to know what was going on in other places then, and Paul himself was being persecuted.  Still, he managed to keep up with what was going on in the churches he had helped to establish.  We today need to have that same concern for churches around us.  We may have had nothing to do with their establishment, but if false teachings enter into any profession of the gospel, we need to stand ready to correct it.  The particular issue that Paul was addressing was the requirement for Gentile believers to be circumcised in order to be saved or accepted as a part of God's people.  We today may not face that same issue, but there are those who would add to the requirement of salvation by faith alone, and they lead many into following their teachings.  Paul recognized the danger of this and said that anything added to the requirement of faith in Christ alone for salvation was wrong.  Paul also addressed the issue of feeling superior to other Christians.  Some of those who were Jews felt that they were somehow more important than those who had been Gentiles because God's law had been given to them.  Paul said that the only purpose of the law was to lead them to faith in God.  Instead of proving their worthiness, the law did just the opposite.  Since in order to be justified by the law a person needed to keep all the law perfectly, in thoughts as well as in action, then no one could be justified by the law.  Christ came to fulfill the requirements of the law, and through faith in Him alone could anyone, Jew or Gentile, male or female, be restored to a right relationship with God.  The Holy Spirit indwells all believers to give them guidance and make intercession for them with God.  Paul said that once we are freed by the gospel of Christ, then we would be foolish to return to the requirement of the law.  We as followers of Christ are all made equal through the cross and should never allow anything to separate us.

Galatians 6:11

Galatians 6:11 says, Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.  Paul was very concerned about the false teachings that were beginning to come into the church at Galatia.  He wrote the letter himself, not dictating it to someone else to write it down.  I believe that this made it even more personal and ensured that nothing could be misrepresented by someone writing these things down for him.  Verse twelve adds, As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.  Paul said that those who wanted to make themselves right through the flesh, or their own goodness in the keeping of the law, demanded that gentile Christians be circumcised.  When they did this, they were negating salvation by faith in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross as being the only way to and requirement for salvation.  Verse thirteen continues, For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.  Paul said that those who were demanding that believers in Christ be circumcised were unable to keep the law.  They could not be reconciled to God through the law, yet wanted to glory in placing others under the same law that condemned them.  Verse fourteen declares, But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  Paul declared that his only glory was in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Christ was not his Lord alone but is the Lord of all who believe in Him.  Paul said that through Christ he was crucified to the world and the world was crucified to him.  He no longer lived by the flesh but lived by faith in Christ.  Paul asked God to forbid him from glorying in anything other than the cross, and so should we.  Verse fifteen adds, For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.  This was the point of disagreement in the church.  Paul said that neither being circumcised nor not being circumcised mattered.  We are a new creature through Christ, and nothing that we did or didn't do before matters.  We are simply to live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse sixteen continues, And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.  Paul prayed for peace to those who believed in salvation by faith in Christ alone, who were the Israel of God.  Verse seventeen states, From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.  Paul asked that no one trouble him by questioning his faith, because he bore the marks of Christ.  This was no particular mark that a believer must have, but the marks that Paul had suffered from being punished for his belief in salvation for all who believed in Christ.  Verse eighteen continues, Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Unto the Galatians written from Rome.  Paul may have been writing to the Galatians to correct them, but he did so that they might know the peace that comes from having Christ as the Lord of their lives.  We today must also want that same peace for everyone, especially for those who proclaim Christ as their Savior and Lord.  We cannot allow anyone to add to the requirements of the gospel.

Galatians 6:1

Galatians 6:1 says, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Paul tells us that if we see someone that has been overtaken by a fault, or fallen into a sinful action, that we who live by the Spirit are to restore them with a spirit of love.  Paul did not say that we are to condemn that person and look down on them.  I believe instead that we need to consider that having an attitude of moral superiority leaves us open to temptation, since this attitude would not be from the Spirit but from the flesh.  Verse two adds, Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.  Paul tells us that we are to help those who are burdened.  We are all, as followers of Christ, to live by the example that He set.  Verse three continues, For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.  This is a warning against self-justification or self-pride.  When we begin to glorify ourselves, we are deceiving ourselves.  We are all saved by grace alone and cannot begin to glorify ourselves.  Verse four states, But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  Paul said that if we prove ourselves by the work done for God that we might rejoice, but only to ourselves, and not seeking the praise of others.  Verse five adds, For every man shall bear his own burden.  This seems to contradict verse two that tells us to bear one another's burdens, but it really doesn't.  Speaking to an individual, Paul tells us we are responsible for our own actions and should accept that responsibility.  When speaking to the church, Paul tells us we are to help those who are struggling.  I believe this also means that even though other people are not responsible for our burdens, if we are doing our best to overcome them, then we should be willing to accept their help.  Verse six continues, Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.  Paul said that if we have been taught the word of God that we are to share it with others.  This also means that some are called to be teachers, and as such they should utilize their gift to benefit others.  Verse seven declares, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  Paul tells us that we may fool people, but we will never be able to mock God by proclaiming to follow Him while sowing seeds of corruption.  We will one day reap the harvest of what we sow.  Verse eight adds, For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  If we are living by the rules of the flesh and ignoring the salvation and leadership that come through Christ, then we are sowing to corruption, or to temporal things.  If we are sowing under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, then we are sowing to everlasting life.  Verse nine continues, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Paul advises us to not grow weary of well doing, which would mean living for God's glory under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  We are to do what God calls us to do as long as we are able to do it.  God will always empower us to do what He calls us to do.  Verse ten concludes, As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.  Paul calls on Christians to do good to everyone.  We are to have a concern for even those who may despise us and are to share the love of Christ with them.  Paul also says this should especially be true of the household of faith, or our fellow Christians.  We are to follow the will of God through the leadership of the Holy Spirit in our relationship to all people.

Galatians 5:13

Galatians 5:13 says, For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  Paul issues a warning in this verse.  He said that even though we are called to liberty in Christ that we are not to use that liberty to justify actions of the flesh.  We cannot claim that since all our sins are forgiven through Christ that it does not matter if we commit a sin.  Paul tells us that this liberty in Christ should lead us to serve one another in love.  Verse fourteen adds, For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Paul said that if the Galatians wanted to live under the law, that all the law was fulfilled in one commandment, and that was that we love our neighbor as we love yourself.  Verse fifteen continues, But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.  I believe that Paul was warning against fighting within the church.  If we begin to fight against one another based on additions to the gospel, we will all destroy our witness for Christ.  Verse sixteen states, This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  Paul gives us the solution for eliminating disputes among Christians.  He tells us to walk in the Spirit.  When we do this, we will not be tempted by the flesh, or the things of this world.  Verse seventeen Paul adds, For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  Paul warns us that being led by the things of this world puts us at war with God's Holy Spirit.  We cannot follow both.  Verse eighteen continues, But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are freed from trying to be justified by the law.  At the same time, we are to make Christ our Lord and live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  In the next three verses, Paul speaks of the works of the flesh.  Verse nineteen says, Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  Verse twenty adds, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  Verse twenty-one continues, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  These are things that people are guilty of when they attempt to live justified by the law, and even being guilty of one of these keeps anyone from inheriting the kingdom of God.  We do not earn our place in the kingdom of God but inherit it by faith.  The next two verse speak of the fruit of the Spirit.  Verse twenty-two states, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Verse twenty-three adds, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Paul contrasted the works of the law with the works of the Spirit, and he concluded that there was no law that could stand against the work of the Spirit.  When we become Christ's through faith, we live under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and become a new person.  Verse twenty-four continues, And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Paul said those who are Christ's have been crucified to the lusts of the flesh.  Verse twenty-five says, If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  I believe that Paul was saying that our actions should be consistent with our words.  If we live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, then we do not need to attempt to justify ourselves by the law.  Verse twenty-six adds, Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.  I believe that Paul was warning against trying to prove that we are somehow superior to other Christians by any earthly act.  We are to glorify God and love others through our faith in Christ.

Galatians 5:1

Galatians 5:1 says, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  Paul told the Galatian Christians to stand fast in their liberty through Christ.  We must do likewise today.  If anyone begins to add anything to salvation other than individual faith in Christ, then they would put us back under the bondage of the law.  Verse two adds, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.  We need to remember that this whole discussion was about the need for the Gentile Christians to be circumcised in order to be truly saved.  Paul said that if circumcision, a sign of obedience to the law of God, was necessary for salvation then Christ would be of no profit to them.  The only way that we can benefit from the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is when we acknowledge that faith in Him alone brings salvation.  Verse three continues, For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  Paul told them, and us, that if we are to be subject to salvation by any part of the law that we must keep every part of the law in order to be saved.  Jesus taught that this was not just in our actions, but in our thoughts as well.  Anytime someone adds anything to faith in Christ alone as a requirement for salvation they negate salvation, because they reject God's plan that was in place from the beginning.  Verse four declares, Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.  We cannot be saved by the law and grace.  Under the law, we attempt to prove ourselves worthy of salvation, and under grace we declare that we can never be worthy.  God proclaims us worthy through His grace alone.  Verse five adds, For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  Paul said that we are to be guided by the Holy Spirit as we await in hope of the righteousness of faith.  I don't believe that Paul meant that we live simply hoping that we can be made righteous, or acceptable to God, but that he meant we live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit knowing that we are made righteous through Christ alone.  Verse six continues, For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.  Paul tells us that nothing else is required for salvation but faith in Christ which brings us salvation by the love of God.  Since God gives us salvation because of His love for us, I believe that we are supposed to share the gospel with the lost world out of love for them.  Verse seven asks, Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?  I believe that Paul was asking them if they began in faith, how could they now let anyone keep them by living by faith alone.  Verse eight adds, This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. Just as Paul told the Galatians, anything that is added to faith in Christ alone as the requirement for salvation does not come from God.  We are to live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Who alone advocates for and comforts us.  We do not need to go through anyone else, living or dead, to speak to God.  Verse nine continues, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.  I believe Paul was warning us that a little bit of error about salvation can affect the whole truth of salvation.  It can therefore affect many people.  Verse ten states, I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.  Paul said he had faith that the Galatian Christians would remain faithful and not listen to the one who was causing trouble.  We likewise must remain true to the gospel and never allow anyone to cause us to doubt the truth of salvation by faith alone. Verse eleven adds, And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.  Paul said that if he preached circumcision as a requirement of salvation, as evidently some were saying, then why was he being persecuted by the Jews.  Verse twelve concludes, I would they were even cut off which trouble you.  Paul said he would rather have those who presented a false gospel cut off from the church.  We need to have that same attitude today.  If anyone comes attempting to add requirements to the gospel other than faith in Christ alone, instead of being tempted to follow them we must ask them to leave.

Galatians 4:21

Galatians 4:21 says, Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?  Paul asked those who now desired to be under the law, instead of under faith alone, if they even understood what the law taught.  We likewise must realize that any other way to God other than through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross will ultimately prove us guilty in God's judgment.  Verse twenty-two adds, For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.  Paul reminded the people at Galatia about Abraham.  Abraham had two sons, one by his own design with a handmaiden and one by the promise of God with his wife, a freewoman.  Abraham and Sarah failed to have faith in God being able to fulfill His promise to them and felt they needed to ensure God's plan would succeed by acting on their own.  We today must never believe that we control God's will in any way.  God is not dependent on us in any way, but we are always dependent on Him.  Verse twenty-three continues, But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.  Ishmael was born of the flesh, from the plan of Abraham and Sarah to fulfill God's promise on their own.  Isaac was born of the promise made to Abraham and Sarah.  Their plan did not replace God's plan, and neither will ours.  Verse twenty-four states, Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.  Paul said that the two births were an allegory for the two covenants, one of the law and one of faith.  The law led to bondage and faith leads to freedom.  Verse twenty-five adds, For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.  Agar, or Hagar, the bondservant, represented Mt. Sinai, where the law was given, and was now subjected to Jerusalem, where faith in Christ alone was finally realized.  Just as Abraham and Sarah had tried to achieve the promise of God based on their own actions as opposed to simply having faith in God, so it is if we attempt to justify ourselves by the keeping of the law as opposed to simply having faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-six continues, But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.  God's promise to Abraham was a free gift, and so is the salvation represented by Jerusalem.  Verse twenty-seven says, For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.  Paul said that though there might be more born who were not true descendants of Abraham that those who now put their faith in Christ were like Isaac, the children of the promise to Abraham by God.  Verse twenty-nine continues, But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.  Paul said that those born of the flesh persecuted those born of the Spirit then and now.  Of course, now those Jews who wanted to add the law as a requirement of salvation would be some of those persecuting those who believed in salvation by faith alone.  Verse thirty states, Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.  There are those who say that God was unfair to Hagar, but she was no more cut off from salvation than any person ever was.  God's promise was to Abraham and Sarah, and He wanted no confusion about who the promise was to be fulfilled through.  Verse thirty-one adds, So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.  Paul said that Christians, those who put their faith in Christ alone, were free from bondage.  Under the law, we will always be in bondage, and under faith in Christ we will always be free from the penalty of sin.  We cannot mix the two.

Galatians 4:12

Galatians 4:12 says, Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.  Paul asked the Christians at Galatia to be as he was.  I believe that Paul was speaking of his total devotion to doing God's will.  Paul said that he did not feel personally injured by their attitude, but that what he was telling them was still out of an attitude of love for them.  If we feel that those who proclaim to be Christians are trying to change the gospel, we cannot approach them with any attitude except one of love.  Verse thirteen adds, Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.  We still do not know exactly what this infirmity of the flesh was, but Paul said it didn't stop him from preaching nor them from listening.  God will provide the ability for us to do what He calls us to do, even if we have some infirmity.  Verse fourteen continues, And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.  Paul said that whatever this infirmity, which could have been seen as a temptation for him to quit, was not viewed as a reason for those he witnessed to not to accept him.  Paul said they received him as they would an angel from God or even Christ Himself.  Though we can never take the place of Christ and will never be an angel, if we are presenting the truth of God, then we should be accepted as His messengers.  Paul was not saying this to bring glory to himself, but to bring glory to God.  Verse fifteen asks, Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.  Paul asked the Christians at Galatia what had changed the blessedness that they had in the gospel.  They had believed in what Paul was preaching enough that they would have plucked out their eyes and give them to him if it would have helped him, but now they were questioning the gospel that he preached.  If our salvation is not firmly rooted in Christ alone, we may begin by being blessed by the gospel but soon start to question or add to it.  Verse sixteen adds, Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?  Paul had been viewed as an angel, or messenger from God, and he asked if he were now viewed as an enemy because he told them the truth.  Sometimes those who have professed faith in Christ are led astray because they have not really believed in Christ alone.  When someone attempts to correct them, that person is viewed as an enemy.  It is easy to allow things that are not taught by Christ to enter into our beliefs about what the church should be.  Verse seventeen continues, They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.  Those who taught things that were against the gospel, and I believe that Paul was still speaking of the necessity of following Jewish traditions, were zealous, but Paul said that their zeal would exclude the Gentiles from coming to God simply through faith in Christ.  Verse eighteen declares, But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.  Paul said that it was good to be zealous in the gospel at all times, whether he was with them or not.  We may have been led to Christ by a particular person, but our zeal should be for Christ alone.  If we are committed to following the will of Christ, we will not be led astray by what someone else may preach that is not consistent with the gospel.  Verse nineteen adds, My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,  Paul called them little children I believe because they had not matured in faith.  Paul said he was very worried about them.  Verse twenty continues, I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.  Paul desired to be with them because he doubted their commitment to the truth of the gospel.  These were people who had professed Christ as their Savior while Paul was there, but now were following the teachings of others who were adding to the requirement of the gospel.  We cannot be guilty of following the teachings of any person for salvation, but only the truth of the gospel.

Galatians 4:1

Galatians 4:1 says, Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;  Paul said that as long as an heir was a child that they were no different than the servant.  Heirs were under those who taught them until they became of age.  The law was what taught and directed people until the coming of Christ.  With Christ's coming, people of any age could claim the promise of God through faith in Christ.  Verse two adds, But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.  Just as heirs are under tutors and governors until the time appointed by their fathers, so were people under the law for guidance and direction until the time appointed by the Father.  That time came when Christ came to the world and lived blamelessly and died for our sins.   Verse three continues, Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:  Paul is still referring to living under the law versus living under salvation by faith in Christ.  Until the coming of Christ, people were under the law to identify as being God's people.  Now, by faith in Christ, they could claim the promise of God with no need for anyone or anything to stand between them and salvation.  Verse four declares, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  Paul said that when the time was right that God sent His Son, born of a woman and under the law.  Jesus lived in perfect obedience to the law and was thereby the only acceptable sacrifice for sin.  By His sacrifice, He set us free from the penalty of sin.  Verse five adds, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  Paul gives the result of Jesus's sacrifice and that is that He set us free from the penalty of sin if we accept Him as our personal savior and Lord.  We are redeemed by Jesus Christ to become adopted sons, or children, of God.  We do not become just servants, though we are, but the children of God by adoption, joint heirs with Christ.  Though some translations leave out the begotten when referring to Jesus, that is what makes Him unique.  Verse six continues, And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  Paul said that since we are God's children, He sent His Spirit to live in us so that we would be able to proclaim God as our Father by faith.  Verse seven states, Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.  Again, we are more than just a servant, though I believe that even as an heir we still willingly obey and serve the Father.  Verse eight adds, Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.  I believe that Paul was saying that before we know the true God by faith that we still serve some false god.  I don't believe that we necessarily have to claim to serve any particular god, but we still follow some false god, whether we call it fate or materialism or whatever.  Verse nine continues, But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?  Paul asked the Galatians, how after being known by God, in a personal relationship as His children, how could they want to return to the bondage of the law.  That would be like returning to being a beggar instead of living as a child of God.  Verse ten says, Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.  I believe that what Paul was saying was that they wanted to keep the Jewish traditions as a necessity to prove their salvation.  I don't believe that Paul was saying that these traditions were wrong necessarily of themselves, but the way that they were viewed was wrong.  Traditions or rituals can never become a part of the plan of salvation.  We can only come to God through Christ, with no other requirements.  Verse eleven Paul adds, I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.  I believe that Paul was speaking of being afraid of what the Jewish believers were attempting to add to the gospel.  If they did not believe in salvation for all people through faith in Christ alone, then Paul said that he felt that he had labored in vain.  If anyone proclaims to be a follower of Christ but adds other requirements for salvation, then they are not truly His.

Galatians 3:21

Galatians 3:21 says, Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  Paul continues to compare the law to faith in Christ.  He asked if the law, given to the Jews, was against the promise of God to Abraham, which applied to all people.  He answers with an emphatic no, saying God forbid.  Paul adds that if there had been a law that could give everlasting life, then righteousness with God would come through the law and not faith.  Salvation by the law would be based on the ability of people to follow that law completely, not only in actions but in their very thoughts.  Verse twenty-two adds, But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  Paul tells us that we are all guilty under the law.  Paul was speaking to Jews who felt it was necessary for Gentiles, once they accepted Christ, to be placed under the rules of the law.  Paul said that since the law could only prove our inability to be restored to God by keeping that law, Christ came to make restoration to God available through our faith in Him as Savior and Lord.  There is no checklist of things we must do in order to be saved.  There is only one thing necessary, and that is accepting Christ by faith.  Verse twenty-three continues, But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Paul said that before the coming of Christ that people were kept under the law, shut up to the coming of Christ and salvation by faith in Him.  Since Christ had now come, people were kept by simply putting their faith in Him.  Verse twenty-four states, Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  The law was given to teach people about God and to help keep them in line until they could be justified by faith in Christ.  Just as a schoolmaster cannot guarantee success in life for the pupil, neither can the law guarantee success in our relationship to God.  Relying totally on the law brings just the opposite result, guaranteeing that we will fail by our own efforts.  We must rely on God with faith that He will deliver us in spite of our failure to keep the law.  Faith in God's deliverance through the Messiah, or Christ, was always the key to salvation and always will be.  Verse twenty-five adds, But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  Paul said that after Christ came then we were under faith in Him and not the law.  We are to be guided by the Holy Spirit, Who will lead us to live consistent with God's law, but our faith in Christ is the only way to or requirement for salvation.  Verse twenty-six continues, For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  Paul states the only way to become children of God, and that is through faith in Christ.  We cannot be saved by the law, and we cannot add requirements to faith in Christ for salvation.  Verse twenty-seven says, For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  Paul said that when we are baptized in Christ that we live for Him.  I believe that to be baptized in Christ does not mean to be physically baptized by water, but to be spiritually baptized by faith.  Verse twenty-eight adds, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  Paul was still writing about the Jews claim that once a Gentile was saved that they needed to follow Jewish law and traditions.  Paul declared that all people were equal under salvation through Christ.  There are no divisions in salvation through Christ.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.  The Jewish people felt that they were special to God because of being physical descendants of Abraham, but Paul said that all who were Christ's were the seed of Abraham by faith and heirs to the promise God made to Abraham.  Salvation comes through faith in Christ alone.

Galatians 3:13

Galatians 3:13 says, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Paul said that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by taking on that curse, once and for always, by His crucifixion.  Christ died not only for the sins of those who would come after Him, but also for the sins of all who put their faith in God before Christ came.  There was never a time when people were redeemed by the law of God.  Verse fourteen adds, That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  Paul said that Christ died that the blessing of Abraham could come to the Gentiles as well.  This was the point of contention with some of those in Galatia.  They were attempting to make following the law a condition of salvation, and not just faith in Christ.  Verse fifteen continues, Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.  Paul said that he spoke what he as a man knew to be the truth, but that no one could disprove or add to what he was saying. If we are speaking the truth of God, no one can prove us wrong.  Verse sixteen states, Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  Paul said that the promise to Abraham was not that his many seed, or children, would bring salvation to the world.  God's promise to Abraham referred to a particular seed, or descendant, and that was Jesus Christ.  None of Abraham's descendants had been saved simply by their birth into his family, but those who put their faith in the coming Savior were.  Salvation has always been and always will be based on faith in Christ alone.  Verse seventeen adds, And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  Verse eighteen continues, For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise, but God gave it to Abraham by promise.  Paul said that the law could not disannul the promise of Christ.  This promise was made to Abraham long before the law was given, so the law could not be a necessity for redemption or salvation.  Verse nineteen says, Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  Paul asked why anyone should serve the law then.  He answered that the law was given because of our transgressions or sins, to show people the will of God until the coming of Christ.  Verse twenty adds, Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  Paul tells us that the promise of God to Abraham was not dependent on anyone but God Himself.  Those who come to God do not come through the law, but through faith in Christ, the One seed of Abraham through whom the promise was fulfilled.

Galatians 2:11

Galatians 2:11 says, But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.  After saying that Peter had agreed that Paul was sent as a witness to the Gentiles, he said that when Peter came to Antioch that he had to meet Peter face to face, because Peter had become a part of the problem with Paul's acceptance by some Christians.  If we have a disagreement with another follower of Christ, it is best if we can meet them in person to discuss our differences.  Verse twelve adds, For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.  Paul said that until a group of Jewish Christians came from James that Peter had eaten with the Gentile Christians, but when they came, he no longer would.  We look at Peter as being a rock in his beliefs about Christ, but he often wavered in his practice of that belief.  We cannot let any group, no matter how powerful they may be viewed in the eyes of the world, lead us to add to or take away from the truth of the gospel.  Verse thirteen continues, And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.  Paul said that other Jewish Christians and even Barnabas were led away from the Gentile Christians by Peter's action.  If we see someone acting in such a way as to discredit the gospel, we must never follow them, no matter how influential they may be.  Verse fourteen states, But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?  Paul knew that what those who withdrew from the Gentile Christians were not acting in an upright manner in following the truth of the gospel.  One of the basic facts of the gospel is that it is for all people.  We cannot divide Christianity into groups that don't even associate with each other.  Paul asked Peter directly how he, a Jewish Christian, could live as the Gentiles did and then demand that the Gentile Christians now be subjected to Jewish laws.  We cannot follow one set of beliefs around one group of Christians and another set of beliefs around another group.  Likewise, we cannot change our beliefs around the unsaved of the world.  Our actions in the world should be consistent with those when we are gathered together as a church.  Verse fifteen adds, We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,  Paul said that being born a Jew separated people from everyone else.  Verse sixteen continues, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  Paul said that even being born a Jew, considered part of God's family under God's law, did not justify anyone, but only faith could.  At one time it had been faith in the coming Messiah, and now it was faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah Who had come.  Verse seventeen asks, But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.  I believe that Paul was asking if we attempt to add to the requirements of salvation, more than just the acceptance of Christ as Savior and Lord, if that makes Christ guilty of sin.  Paul declares a definite no to this question.  If Christ teaches that we are saved through faith in Him alone, then if we add anything to that requirement, then our faith would still leave us as sinners.  Verse eighteen adds, For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  Paul said that if he, or anyone else, attempted to add anything to salvation by faith in Christ that this would make them guilty of sin.  Verse nineteen continues, For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.  Paul tells us that the law cannot save us, but only faith can.  We will never be able to live up to the standards of the law of God.  Verse twenty declares, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  We, as followers of Christ, like Paul, are crucified with Christ.  We die to the old person of flesh and are born again as a person of faith.  We no longer live by the standards of the world, but we live by the standards of Christ.  As Paul said, Christ lives through us.  Verse twenty-one adds, I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.  Paul said that if we could be made righteous by the law, then Christ died for nothing.  Paul had been talking about those who would subject Gentiles to the law of God in addition to faith in Christ as Savior in order to be saved.  He said that even those born a Jew recognized that the law could not save anyone, so why would anyone who accepted Christ as their Savior be expected to follow the law to be saved.  We need no sign of salvation but are to simply live by faith in Christ.  This is the total requirement for salvation.

Galatians 3:1

Galatians 3:1 says, O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?  The Galatians were now attempting to add requirements to faith in Christ as being necessary for salvation, and Paul called them foolish and bewitched.  When we try to change the gospel, whether by our own understanding or by following what someone else teaches, we are indeed foolish or bewitched.  Christ was the fulfillment of the Law.  Verse two adds, This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  As Paul asked the Galatians, we must ask ourselves if we attempt to add to the requirement of faith in Christ alone for salvation, are we saved by keeping the Law or by faith alone?  We are saved by faith in Christ alone and given total access to God through that faith.  Knowing this, we need never add to the free gift of Christ.  Verse three continues, Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?  Paul asked if the Christians at Galatia had received salvation by faith alone would they now be foolish enough to add justification by means of the flesh to the requirement for salvation for others.  Verse four asks, Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.  If Christ died in vain, then anything that we have suffered because of our faith in Him would be in vain.  Either Christ alone is the only way to salvation, or He is not Who He said that He is.  Verse five adds, He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Paul asked the Galatians if they thought that he had ministered unto them and preformed miracles by the power of the law or by the hearing of faith.  Paul was a completely different person, and he had definitely been under the law of God when persecuting Christians.  The ministry he now practiced was because of the hearing of and acceptance of faith in Christ alone.  Verse six continues, Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  Paul said that Abraham's belief in God was what accounted for his righteous.  Verse seven concludes, Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.  The Jewish people were proud to be children of Abraham by the fact of their physical birth, but Paul said that wasn't enough.  To be a true child of Abraham, and therefore a part of the promise of God to him required faith in God.  It does not matter what family we are born into physically, because we can only become a part of the family of God through faith in Christ.  Verse eight states, And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.  Paul said that even the scripture foresaw the salvation of the heathen, those who were not Jews, when God said to Abraham that in him all nations would be blessed.  Salvation was not just for the Jews as some of them had started to believe.  Salvation today is not just for a select group of people in a particular part of the world but is for everyone everywhere who will accept Christ as their Savior by faith.  Verse nine adds, So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.  Paul said that it is by faith, and not by anything physical, that people are blessed along with faithful Abraham.  Verse ten continues, For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  Like those Jews that Paul was writing to, if we want to be under the law, then we are cursed, because to fail in any point of the law judges us as guilty before God.  Verse eleven says, But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  Paul said that no one could be justified by the law, and that included even him.  Paul had been one of the most devout Jews, following the law of God religiously, but he knew that was not enough.  Paul said that it was evident that the just shall live by faith.  Verse twelve adds, And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  Paul declared that the law was not of faith but could only lead to a people recognizing their own inability to live justified before God of their own goodness.  All fall short of keeping the entire law of God at all times, but through faith in Christ all can be justified before God.  Faith in Christ as Savior and Lord is the only way to salvation, and this gift of salvation is available to all.

Galatians 2:1

Galatians 2:1 says, Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.  Paul said that after he had been preaching for fourteen years that he went to Jerusalem once more.  He took Barnabas and Titus with him.  Verse two adds, And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.  Paul said that he went to Jerusalem by revelation, or by the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  He shared with them the gospel that he had preached to the Gentiles.  This was not a separate gospel than the gospel presented to the Jews.  The Gentiles were just as saved as the Jews were.  Paul said that he went privately to those who were of reputation, because he didn't want to distract from the gospel.  If we disagree with what someone is preaching, if we go to them to correct them, we need to do so under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and do so in such a way that the gospel is not made to suffer.  Paul said he didn't want to do anything that would mean that he had run in vain.  His ministry was to the Gentiles, and he did not change it when preaching to the Jews.  It is the same gospel, no matter who it is being presented to.  Verse three continues, But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: Paul recognized Titus as being just as saved as anyone though he had not followed the Jewish sign of circumcision.  There is no earthly sign that makes one any more saved than another, and there is no way to be saved except through faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.  This had become a point of contention between Jewish believers and Gentile believers, but Paul said it shouldn't be.  Verse four states, And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:  Paul said that false brethren, those that would add to the requirements of salvation had come secretly to spy on him.  The purpose of their spying was to take away the liberty that Paul and the Gentile believers had in Christ.  There are many today who would add requirements to the freedom of salvation.  Some feel that a person has to be a member of a particular denomination to be saved.  Others feel that the church controls repentance and forgiveness of sin.  Verse five adds, To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.  Paul said he did not subject himself to their beliefs about the necessity of following Jewish law to be saved, even though he had been a devout Jew.  This was a part of the old covenant with God, which had been fulfilled by Christ on the cross.  Verse six continues, But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:  Paul said there were some people who thought they were something, the source of authority or power or whatever.  He also said it didn't matter to him what they thought they were, because God did not favor one person over another.  Any saved person had and still has the same access to God as any other saved person.  There are religious leaders today who feel that they have a greater access to God than the average Christian, but that is not true.  Verse seven says, But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;  Paul said that these religious leaders, when they were in conference, agreed that Paul was sent to the Gentiles just as Peter was sent to the Jews.  Still, Paul had said this did not matter to him, because he was going where God had sent him.  It is nice if we have the support of fellow Christians, and maybe especially religious leaders today, but we cannot base our following God's direction for our lives on the opinion of others.  Verse eight adds, (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)  Paul said the proof of Peter's calling and his was the result of their ministry.  Both were successful where they preached.  Verse nine Paul continues, And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.  Paul said that James, Cephas (Peter) and John gave to Barnabas and himself the right hand of fellowship and said that they should go to the Gentiles.  Paul was saying that if the leaders of Christianity accepted his ministry with no stipulations about following Jewish law, then why were other Christians questioning him.  Verse ten concludes, Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.  Paul said that these Christian leaders asked only one thing of him, and that was that he remember the poor, which Paul said he was already doing.  As we witness in the world today, we must always remember to reach out to the poor with the gospel.  Paul, who had been in a position of power in the Jewish world gave it all up to follow Christ, but he still did not forget those who were less fortunate than he was.  We today need to follow God with that same dedication.

Galatians 1:13

Galatians 1:13 says, For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:  Paul was still speaking about how he was better off in the eyes of the world before he became a follower of Christ.  He had the power to persecute Christians and did so with a great zeal.  Paul gave up that position of power to become one of those that he had once persecuted.  We cannot let our standing in the world come ahead of serving God. Verse fourteen adds, And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.  Paul said he had profited by being a Jew and following the teachings of his ancestors.  He said since he was exceedingly zealous that he profited more than most others, and he was doing this in the name of God.  Being zealous in our beliefs is not enough if we are zealous to the wrong belief.  Verse fifteen continues, But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,   Paul said that his conversion came when the time was right for God.  When we come to Christ for salvation, we must come when He calls.  We cannot just decide one day that we will choose to be saved that day.  If God is not calling us personally, then we cannot respond to Him.  Paul recognized that God called him at a particular time and place.  Verse sixteen states, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:  Paul said that God revealed the truth of Christ to him, and he was changed forever.  Paul said that God called him to preach the gospel, and that he did not ask anyone else about that call.  When we know that God is calling us to salvation and to a purpose in His plan for salvation, we do not need to ask anyone else about it. We, like Paul, must simply respond in obedience to God's call.  Verse seventeen adds, Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.  Paul said he didn't go to Jerusalem to seek out the other apostles, but that he went where God directed him to go to preach the gospel.  Though it might have seemed necessary to some for Paul to go and physically join with the other apostles, he knew that he didn't need any validation from others.  Verse eighteen continues, Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.  Paul said that after preaching for three years that he did go to Jerusalem and spend fifteen days with Peter.  Verse nineteen says, But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. Paul said he also saw James, the brother of Jesus, but none of the other apostles.  Paul was not looking for earthly justification to call himself an apostle, but he was accepted by these two who were close to Jesus, Peter by his great faith and James by his birth and faith.  The other apostles had most likely gone from Jerusalem to preach the gospel.  Verse twenty adds, Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.  Paul said that God was his witness that he wasn't lying, and God should always be the ultimate authority when we make claims about Him and our relationship with Him.  Whatever we proclaim in the name of God should always bring glory to Him and not to us.  In the next four verses Paul speaks of his ministry in Syria and Cilicia.  He was going as Christ had directed His disciples to go and was proclaiming the gospel.  Verse twenty-one continues, Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;  Verse twenty-two states, And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:  Paul was preaching to those who did not know what he looked like.  They had to accept Paul by faith in the fact that he really was telling the truth about his faith in Christ.  Verse twenty-three adds, But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.  The people in these countries did not know what Paul looked like, but they knew who he was.  Paul was the one who had persecuted them in the past.  We know that he was very zealous in this persecution, so he was well known for it.  Now, he was also known for something else, and that was for preaching the gospel of Christ.  We can never allow who or what people were before accepting Christ keep us from believing that they can be and now are saved.  Verse twenty-four concludes, And they glorified God in me.  They did not glorify Paul, but glorified God because of Paul's preaching.  We can never glorify the preacher but must always be led to glorify God by what is preached.  If the preacher is glorified more than God, then something is wrong.

Galatians 1:6

Galatians 1:6 says, I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  Paul said he marveled at how quickly those who claimed to follow Christ had started to follow another gospel.  We are not told exactly what that gospel was, but it must have been something based on salvation other than through faith in Christ.  If we are real followers of Christ, we can never allow false teachings to enter into our relationship with Christ.  Jesus Christ, crucified, resurrected, and Lord can be the only gospel we proclaim.  If anyone attempts to add to or take away from that, then we need to avoid them at the least or attempt to correct them at the most.  If we are so easily and quickly removed from following the gospel of Christ, then we most likely never accepted its truth to start with.  I believe that if we fully accept the gospel that we will not only never be easily moved away from it, but that we cannot even be forcibly removed from the gospel.  This is not because of our strength, but because of God's promise that nothing can take away those who are His.  Verse seven adds, Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  Paul said that what was being presented was not really another gospel as such but was instead a perversion of the true gospel.  There are those today who attempt to add to or take away from the gospel.  When we hear anyone teach that more is required for salvation than accepting the sacrifice of Christ on the cross as the only way to salvation, we need to stand firm in our faith.  There are religions today based on a perversion of the gospel, and many who had professed to be followers of Christ are drawn away from Him to follow these false gospels.  I believe that if we are truly saved by putting our faith in the sacrifice of Christ that we will never be led away from this truth, quickly or easily nor slowly and with great difficulty.  Verse eight continues, But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  Paul said that even if an angel from heaven proclaimed any other gospel than Jesus Christ, crucified, resurrected, and Lord, let him be accursed.  There are those today who follow what is supposedly a clarification of the gospel dictated by an angel, but as Paul said those who proclaim this clarified gospel should be accursed.  This is because they keep people away from accepting the only gospel that ever was or ever will be.  Verse nine states, As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Paul said it was worth repeating that if anyone proclaimed any gospel other than the gospel of Christ that person should be accursed.  Through Christ is the only way to redemption with God.  The very fact that a person rejects Christ brings condemnation, so how much greater would be the condemnation of someone who led others away from that truth.  Verse ten adds, For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.  Paul said he was not proclaiming Christ to please people, but to please God.  He also said if he were living to please other people that he would not be a servant of God.  Paul had lived to please others, and from the point of view of the world, he was much better off.  No one was trying to arrest or kill him.  We cannot serve God for material reasons but must serve Him because we are His by faith no matter what happens. Verse eleven continues, But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  Like Paul, we must acknowledge that the gospel is not of man.  The gospel of Christ is God's redemption plan, and it is the only one.  Verse twelve concludes, For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Paul did receive the gospel directly by the revelation of God.  No matter how we hear the gospel, we accept it by a revelation of its truth from God.  We accept the gospel by faith, and even that is given to us by God.

Galatians 1:1

Galatians 1:1 says, Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)  Paul was specific in stating who he was.  There were those who questioned his right to call himself an apostle, but he said that he did not base this claim on anything men said or did, but on his relationship with God through Christ.  Having been a Jew, Paul had based his relationship with God on following the law of God, which no one could keep completely enough to claim to be justified before God.  Now, Paul recognized that the only way that he could be an apostle of God was through faith in Christ.  Though Paul had not followed Jesus in His earthly ministry, Paul had met Him personally on the road to Damascus, and he was forever changed.  Paul was now publicly proclaiming Christ, whom he had been persecuting before he met Him personally.  As followers of Christ, we have that same authority.  We do not need anyone in the world to tell us that we may witness for Christ.  We have a mandate from Christ to do so, therefore we should never allow anyone to tell us that we don't have this right.  Paul said that his right to call himself an apostle came from God and not men.  Our right and responsibility to witness come from the same source, which is our faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse two adds, And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:  Paul said that he wasn't alone in what he was saying to the churches at Galatia, but that those brethren, or fellow believers, with him sent their greetings as well.  We should never feel that we alone know what God is saying to the world.  What we declare in the name of Christ should always be consistent with what God's written word, the Bible, teaches.  Verse three continues, Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,  Paul definitely was not at peace with those in power in the world at that time, but through Christ he was at peace with God.  Whatever is going on in the world today, we as followers of Christ should be at peace because of our relationship to Him.  We should never allow the world to steal that peace with God.  Verse four declares, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:  Paul did not say that one day Christ was going to deliver us from this evil world, but that He had already done so.  When we put our faith in Christ and follow Him, then we can live at peace knowing that He has delivered us forever.  Verse five adds, To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  Paul was not writing to glorify himself, but he was writing that Christ might be glorified, not just for that day but forever.  Our witnessing today should always be done to glorify Christ and never to glorify ourselves.

As we continue to look at lessons learned from Job, the next thing we can say is that we should never question that God is always with us if we are His followers.  Job was held up as a representative of a righteous man, but when extreme adversity came, he questioned God.  Job was not being punished because of some sin, but God was allowing his faith to be tested.  It was sad that Job did not just continue to put his faith in God without question.  It is even more so for followers of Christ to question God's fairness to them since the Holy Spirit dwells in us.  As long as we surrender to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we can never feel abandoned by God.  Too often though, we let our material or physical situation cause us to question God.  Job had not only lost his wealth, family and friends, but he had lost his health as well.  We must learn from Job that if we are followers of Christ that we will never be abandoned by Him.   Also, we need to learn from Job's friends that we are never correct in attempting to judge others.  These three friends really felt that they knew more about God than Job did, and they attempted to force their knowledge on Job.  We can never be guilty of attempting to make God comply to our understanding and remain faithful to Him.  In all cases, we must submit to God's will, no matter what the circumstances of life might be.  We can also learn that there is nothing in the universe as a whole or the earth in particular that is more powerful than God.  Rather than being a cosmic accident, the universe is God's creation and operates under His will.  We may have the power to destroy much of the world, but God can destroy it all with only a thought.  Still, due to His love for the people He created, God continues to sustain the world so that more people might be reconciled to Him.  One last lesson that we can learn is that God is always ready to reconcile people to Himself if they will only put their faith in Him.  Though Job felt abandoned by God when his world fell apart and questioned God's presence, God had not left Job.  If we feel that we are out of God's presence, it is because of our moving out of His will and not because He has abandoned us.  If we lose everything in this world, God is still with us.  If our faith falters, God stands ready to forgive and bring us into a right relationship with Him once more.  This can never be based on material possessions, but must always be based on a spiritual relationship.  Next we will look at the book of Galatians.

Now we come to lessons learned from Job.  I believe that the first lesson is that God is watching us and is active in the world..  Some people worship impersonal gods.  These supposed gods simply sit back and watch people struggle at best or cause them trouble for their pleasure at worst.  God did not create and abandon mankind, nor any part of His creation.  We can also say that when trouble comes in life for those who are His followers that it is not a result of God punishing them unfairly.  God will never destroy those who are His just to prove that He can.  God has nothing to prove to anyone, other than that He loves them and makes redemption available to them.  Job felt that this was what had happened to him, so he questioned the fairness of God.  If we serve God for material reasons, or see material blessings as a sign that we are in the right relationship with God, then if trouble comes, we will tend to blame or question God.  We also learn from Job that not everyone who is a friend in prosperity is really a friend.  When hard times come, those who are just close to us because of our riches will be quick to desert us.  They may even take pleasure in our suffering, feeling that we somehow deserve it.  Even our closest family members may put us down and question our relationship with God.  Sometimes a break in our relationship with God may be as a result of sin, even if we are His followers.  Then those who are closest to us, especially family and fellow believers should pray for our restoration.  We should never just abandon family or friends and condemn them as sinners being punished by God.  We are all just sinners saved by grace, and should never feel that we are morally superior to anyone else and therefore able to condemn them.  This was the attitude of Job's wife and three friends, and evidently all those around him.  We can also say that the opinion of the majority, even of those who claim to represent God, is not always correct.  Job was definitely the minority in these debates, but he was not wrong because of that fact.  Even if the whole world were to be against us, we must hold fast to God's truth.  We must also acknowledge that this has nothing to do with material blessings.  God never promised us riches, but He did promise to meet our needs.

Job 42:10 says, And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.  Job had accused God of not listening to him when he was feeling that God was treating him unfairly.  When Job finally repented of his sin of claiming God was unjust, then God heard and answered him.  When we come to God in times of trouble, and put our faith in Him no matter what, then we can be certain that God will never fail us.  We just cannot allow the material things of the world to determine our faithfulness to God.  We are told that God restored to Job twice what he had before.  I believe this was done as much for the benefit of those around him as it was for Job.  They were basing faithfulness to God to be shown by material possessions.  Job would have been just as redeemed if he had gotten nothing back.  We cannot repent simply because we want some material blessing.  Verse eleven states, Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.  Those who had deserted Job and looked on him with contempt returned to comfort him.  We might call them fair weather friends and even family.  They now ate with Job and even gave him money and jewelry.  I believe there was still one misconception, and that was that God had brought this evil, this total collapse of Job's life, on him.  Though God allowed it, He did not directly cause it.  Verse twelve states, So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.  God blessed Job with twice as many animals as he had before. I believe that this was at least partially done as a witness to those around Job.  They had equated being blessed by God with material possessions, but Job had come to a greater understanding.  The real blessing is being in a right relationship with God.  Whatever God blesses us with materially, it should be used to reflect glory to God.  Verse thirteen says, He had also seven sons and three daughters.  There was a difference between Job's sons and daughters and his cattle.  The number of cattle doubled, but the number of sons and daughters born after God restored him was the same as before.  I believe that Job did double the number of his sons and daughters, because even though the first ones had died, their souls lived on, but when the cattle died there was no soul, or anything else, left of them.  People and all other animals will always be separated by the existence of the soul.  Verse fourteen and fifteen speak of Job's daughters. Verse fourteen says, And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. Then verse fifteen concludes, And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.  It is unusual for the daughters to be singled out ahead of their brothers, and even more unusual to give them the same inheritance as their brothers.  I believe that this is just another example of there being no difference between men and women in the eyes of God.  Both are equally capable of receiving the gift of everlasting life through the gift of salvation that Christ provided on the cross.  The last two verses speak of the length of Job's life after God restored him to his health and wealth.  Verse sixteen states, After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations.  This tells us the number of years Job lived.  Verse seventeen says, So Job died, being old and full of days.  I believe that this tells us that those days were happy days.  When we are following God's will, then whenever we die, our days should have been full of God's blessings.  The key to Job's enjoyment of life was not the material blessings, but his relationship to God.  Our life should be the same.

Job 42:1 says, Then Job answered the LORD, and said,  Though Job had said he would speak no more in argument against God, he now spoke in agreement with God.  If we feel that we have a reason to question God, we need to first listen to what God has to say to us.  As long as we are attempting to justify ourselves, we may easily miss what God is saying to us.  Verse two states, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.  Job acknowledged the power of God.  God not only hears our words, but He knows our thoughts as well.  There really was no reason for Job to speak about what he thought was God's unfair treatment.  God already knew Job's thoughts before he expressed them.  Likewise, we may not actually speak badly about God, but may question Him in our thoughts.  As followers of Christ, our every thought needs to be ruled by the Holy Spirit.  Verse three says, Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.  Job confessed to speaking about God without understanding.  When we attribute any act to being the will of God, we better have a true, personal relationship to Him and be speaking under His leadership.  Like Job, if we begin to accuse God of being unfair to us, we will be speaking without understanding.  Verse four says, Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.  Job did not go to God demanding that God hear Him.  Making demands on God was what had led Job to being out of God's will to begin with.  Job asked God to hear him, as He really always had, and that he would declare himself to God.  When we go to God in repentance, we must submit totally to His will.  We cannot go based on self-righteous demands.  Verse five states, I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.  Job had known God and had served Him faithfully until extreme adversity came to him.  I believe that Job was saying that he now saw God more clearly.  When God speaks to us, we need to hear what He is saying, and that should lead us to see God more clearly.  In verse six Job declares, Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.  We know that Job was already sitting in dust and ashes, but he had been claiming that God was being unfair to him.  He really had not remained true to God, placing his life in God's care no matter what.  Job now said he abhorred, or despised himself, for his attitude.  When we really repent of our sins, going through the motions is not enough.  We can spend every minute on our knees or fast every day, or whatever other action implies repentance, but if we are still trying to justify ourselves before God, then nothing will ever help.  Until we truly abhor our action of questioning God we can never be fully in His will.  Verse seven says, And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.  Somehow, I think that if Job's friends heard God speaking to Job that they were thinking they had been right and Job had been wrong.  Just because one person is mistaken in their attitude toward God does not mean that someone else is correct.  God told Eliphaz and his two friends that they had not spoken right about Him as Job had.  We need to be careful about judging others, especially based on material blessings.  Verse eight says, Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.  I would imagine that having to go to offer up sacrifices and asking Job to pray for them was quite a lesson in humility for these three.  They had spoken at length telling Job that he was guilty of some sin, but God told them that they did not represent Him.  We do not have to go to someone else to ask God's forgiveness today, since we do not go through an earthly priest, but through the eternal Priest, Jesus Christ.  Still, if we have been condemning others falsely, we need to seek their forgiveness.  Verse nine states, So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.  At least these three friends of Job listened to God.  Notice also that Elihu was not included, since what he had said was true of God.  God accepted their repentance, as well as that of Job.  Whenever we repent honestly before God, He will be quick to forgive us.

Job 41:22 says, In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.  God is still speaking of the leviathan, but the analogy applies to God Himself.  We do not know of a creature that fits all these descriptions, nor can we really know everything about God.  These last few verses speak of the power of the levitathan, and we can easily see how they apply to God as well.  No matter how much people may attack God, His strength remains.  Also, we know that God has the ability to turn what people see as sorrow into joy, if we simply put our faith in His strength.  Verse twenty-three says, The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.  We know, if we are true followers of Christ, that God cannot be moved by anyone or anything.  There is no weak spot to attack and overcome God.  Verse twenty four says, His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.  I do not believe that this means that God is hard-hearted.  Instead I believe that even if we attack the very heart of God, we cannot defeat Him.  Usually in battle, if a person can stab an opponent in the heart, then the opponent will die.  Even if we attack the very essence of God, or the heart, it is going to be the same as stabbing a rock.  No matter our plan of attack, nor how strong we may feel, we are still helpless before God.  Verse twenty-five says, When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.  I believe that when God acts in the world that people should stand in awe and purify themselves before Him.  Of course, I also believe that the only way to purify ourselves is through accepting the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  Verse twenty-six says, The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. Just as God said there was no weapon that Job and those around him had that would have any effect in a battle with the levitathan, there is likewise no weapon that we have that will in anyway affect God.  The only way to find peace with God is to surrender.  No matter how strong we may think we or our weapons may be, they will never impact God.  Verse twenty-seven states, He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.  Those things that we may view as strong in our battle with God are powerless against Him.  We could say that we have much stronger weapons today, but no matter how strong they are they are as stubble before God.  The next three verses continue to speak about how ineffective people's weapons are against the leviathan.  Verse twenty-eight says, The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.  Then verse twenty-nine states, Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.  Verse thirty concludes, Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.  Once more, God was really reminding Job that he was helpless before God.  A battle with God is one that we will always lose.  Verse thirty-one says, He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.  I believe that God was saying that there was no place deep enough that God was not only there, but that He could move the deepest waters.  Verse thirty two states, He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.  God does indeed light the path for His followers, no matter how dark life may look around them.  Verse thirty three says, Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.  Though still speaking of the leviathan, this was still an analogy for God .  There is none on earth like God, and He has no reason to fear anyone.  Verse thirty-four concludes, He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.  God not only sees in the depths, but He also sees in all the high places.  There is no place where we can go that God is not there.  When we elevate ourselves in our own pride, which is what Job was doing by claiming that God had treated him unfairly, then God will be there to remind us that He is God.  We must never allow self pride to come between God and us.

 Job 41:11 says, Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.  God asked Job who could stop Him from carrying out His will.  Everything under the heavens belongs to God.  As I have said before, sometimes even as followers of Christ, we want to divide the world into the sacred and the secular, but God does not do so.  Everything that we have, or ever hope to have, already belongs to God, and if we are His followers, then we must use it all for His glory.  Verse twelve says, I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.  God said that He not only saw the outside of the leviathan but that He even saw the internal parts.  Likewise, God does not just see the way that we act in the world, but He even knows the reasons that we act as we do.  Verse thirteen asks, Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?  The question was if Job thought he could tame the leviathan as he did a horse.  If we cannot even tame all the creatures of the earth, then why should we think that we should be able to control God, Who created it all.  Verse fourteen asks, Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.  When looking at the power of the leviathan, God asked Job who would be brave enough to open its mouth.  I believe that the implication is if people were afraid to face the leviathon one on one, then why would they feel that they could face God and expect to overpower Him.  If we have more respect, or even fear, of the things of this world than we do of God, then something is wrong.  The next three verses speak of the lack of a place to attack the leviathan.  Verse fifteen says, His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. Then verse sixteen states, One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.   Finally, verse seventeen adds, They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.  I understand that we do not know of a giant sea creature that has scales, but whatever this creature was had no weak points that a person could attack.  I believe that God was telling Job that God likewise had no weaknesses that Job could attack.  We are powerless in a battle with God, so we would be much better off just surrendering to His will.  Verse eighteen states, By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.  I believe that this most likely means an ability to see in the darkness of the depths of the sea.  God is not limited to what we may see in the light, but He can see into the depths of the dark places in a person's life.  We cannot hide anything from God.  Verse nineteen says, Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. Then verse twenty states, Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.  Then verse twenty-one continues, His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.  Matthew Henry says these three verses refer to the power of God's word.  We know that God's word has the power to burn away lies and to create and destroy.  Fortunately for us, God's purpose is not to destroy, but to redeem.