In our eighth message on Galatians, we look at chapter four verses 12 through 20. Here, the Apostle Paul expresses his concern the Galatian believers are being deceived by the nefarious scheme of the false teachers. Paul states in verse 17, "they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them." Paul's language here implies there was more to the false teachers' plan than their desire to convert gentiles to Judaism. They were knowingly deceiving the gentile believers in an effort to disqualify them from salvation by grace alone for their own personal benefit. Be aware, my friends, the plan of the evil one is not merely to confuse you, but to destroy you!

In our sixth message on Galatians, we look at chapter three verses 15 through 29. Here, the Apostle Paul explains the purpose of the law God gave to Moses. The law was given by God to mankind to demonstrate how woefully short man falls of God's standard. Without the law, man would never know how much we need a savior. Therefore, the law can never save us as we can never be obedient enough to it to earn right standing before God. The great news is God sent Jesus to pay the price for mankind's falling short of His standard so we can be reconciled with Him through faith alone. It is His gift to us!

In our fourth message on Galatians, we look at chapter two, verses 11 through 21. Here, the Apostle Paul explains how he had to oppose the Apostle Peter and stand for the truth of God's word. Peter withdrew from gentile fellowship due to peer pressure from fellow Jews. Paul confronted Peter and ultimately Peter repented. There may be times in our lives where peer pressure may push us to compromise the truth of God's word. It is critical for us to remain strong and stand for God's truth regardless of the consequences.

In our second message on Galatians, we look at chapter 1 verses 11 through 24. Here, the Apostle Paul reminds his readers of his past zealousness for Judaism and his call by Jesus to be His apostle to carry the gospel to the gentiles. Paul's story of redemption should encourage each of us because God knew Paul's past along with all of the mistakes he made and would make yet chose him anyways. When God calls us, He does so fully aware of our failures of the past, present and future. Jesus gave His life and rose again to cover it all!