#114-G60 ~ Galatians 3:4
Salvation demands that faith be applied to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for it to occur. Man’s works don’t contribute to it at all. We learn these things in the writings of the apostle Paul [Ephesians 2:8-9]. For it is his writings that were specifically addressed to us in our time. It is Paul who is said to be OUR apostle.
We now continue our study in Galatians 3:4. Here Paul points out that these people had gone through some suffering because they’d accepted Christ as their Savior. It is Satan who promotes such suffering in every generation, even today. This is done to keep us from the truth. In the case of the people in Galatian, false teachers came in after Paul to influence his converts. These people come across typically as sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.
Here I talk about the contrast between “religious” people and God’s people. There’s much contrast. These “religious” people are the ones who will bring the greatest opposition into your life as a faithful believer. This was the case in Paul’s day just as it is also today. In 2 Corinthians 11:23 and following Paul speaks of his opposition and the suffering he had to endure because of them. Paul taught grace and anyone who teaches that will meet up with opposition. The things Paul suffered are all examples of that. So don’t be surprised when some suffering comes your way. It surely will if you follow our Lord through the teachings of the apostle Paul. In 2 Timothy 1:15 we have another statement about this. This book of 2 Timothy appears to be Paul’s last writing. But note what he says about his ministry and that of others who would teach as he does. He lets us know with clarity that suffering will inevitably be a part of our lives. Being a disciple, a student of God’s word is His desire for every believer. But we find that ALL those Paul had ministered to in Asia had turned away from him and his teaching. Of course this was their loss, as it is for all those who reject the truth.
In II Timothy 3:12 Paul writes more on his suffering. He just wants us to all know that such is not foreign matter to any and every faithful believer. Here he tells us that ALL who live as God would have them to live will suffer. Not some, but all! Here I also contrast this to the life of “religious” people.
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