Called Unto Freedom!

Paul, writing to the Galatians, asks, You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. (Galatians 5:7–8, NLT) What is Paul referring to? What is holding them back? It was the false teaching that their relationship with God depended not only on the work of Christ, but these Gentiles had to follow the law along with their profession of faith in Christ for an authentic relationship with God.

This is not what Paul had taught them, and he is shocked. I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News (Galatians 1:6, NLT). Paul’s Good News was that salvation was by grace, through faith, in Christ alone, and the subsequent relationship going forward was on that basis—in Christ and free from the law. But Pharisaical tradition-loving Jews had slipped in and polluted this Good News with error.

Notice the impact of this error. This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! (Galatians 5:9, NLT) These Gentiles in the Galatian churches were at risk of not receiving true salvation because salvation is by faith in Christ alone. Those who were saved were at risk of becoming legalistic, like the Jews who held to their traditionalism, though all of that had passed away with Jesus’ sacrifice, fulfilling all the law and satisfying God. 

Believers, we have been called to freedom, not unto the bondage of religion or traditions, endless rules and standards, but unto Christ. Our salvation and a meaningful Christian life are in Him, not our efforts, creeds, or the traditions of our stripe of Christianity. Paul leaves us with these words. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. (Galatians 6:15–16, NLT)


Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Galatians 4-6.

Christ: Our Joy and Confidence!

Galatians! Today’s reading covers the first three chapters of Galatians. Every time I read this epistle, I marvel at God’s goodness. Salvation is the gift of God, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone!

Man, however, is incurably religious. His pride meshes seamlessly with trying to protect his religion, by which he assumes he attains favor with God. Paul describes how this had taken over his life; You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. (Galatians 1:13–14, NLT)

On top of this, man loves to suppose he has some part in salvation. This arrogance is seen in the idea that he must “do” something, even though Christ has “done” all. Paul asked the Galatians a pointed question. I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. (Galatians 3:5, NLT) Justification is not by works; it is by faith.

How, then, is this not the goodness of God? Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:14, NLT) Believers, let us rejoice that our salvation is the gift of God, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone! May the simplicity of His Gospel remain our joy and confidence, for we have been justified by faith, not by works. 


Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Galatians 1-3.

Brick Walls and a Bigger Plan!

In reading about Paul’s second missionary journey this morning, Acts 16:6-10 stood out. Paul and Silas have been going from town to town, instructing and encouraging the believers in their faith. As they move into new territory to preach the Word of God, they find an interesting response by the Spirit of God. And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. (Acts 16:6–8, ESV)

Paul and Silas were forbidden to preach the Word in two different regions. Doesn’t this seem strange? How frustrating this can feel from our human perspective. We want to do something good, but our efforts seem to hit a brick wall. So, we tweaked the plan and adjusted it, but we found the same results. Have you ever had periods like this in your life? Times when you want to do the will of God, and maybe you even thought you knew what that was, only to have it seemingly “not work out?” 

Sometimes, in a life of faith, things that seem not to work out are part of a bigger picture that is working out. It may seem as though Paul and Silas were striking out, but these “divine hindrances” were not strikes but guidance and direction. Sure, we may not like this kind of guidance and direction because it can seem like a waste of time and resources and, ultimately, humbling. But faith’s eye sees God’s promise. 

Are you frustrated? Does it seem like you are spinning your wheels? Has it been brick walls and no doorways? Let’s remember God’s promise…And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, ESV)


Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Acts 15-16.

Faith Without Works Is Dead!

Today, my chronological Bible reading plan switches to the Book of James, which reminds us that biblical Christianity is practical. What stood out is the application of our faith in many different situations. It is easy to talk big about one’s faith in Christ. But, as they say, “The proof is in the pudding.” — James says talk is cheap; live it out! You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? (James 2:19–20, NLT)

Now, James makes a clear distinction here. He says that good works do not produce faith, but faith saves and produces good works. What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. (James 2:14, 17, NLT)

As in James’ day, so too in our day, there will be many professors but fewer possessors and practitioners of the faith. Paul the Apostle, writing to Timothy, warns of such things in the last days. Paul describes incredibly wicked people in 2 Timothy 3:1-4 who…have the appearance of godliness, but deny its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:5, ESV) In other words, many will say one thing, but they will live out another, for their heart is dead to God. James says…For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (James 2:26, ESV) Believers, let us rejoice that the power of God has transformed our lives, and we live out this joy through our good works!


Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from James 1-5.

Our Message Is Alive!

Boldness, preaching, believing, persecution, and encouragement. This is the pattern in Acts 13-14. The boldness mentioned in the reading this morning was a Holy Spirit-empowered boldness; for example, …as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? (Acts 13:9–10, NLT)

This boldness influenced the Apostle’s preaching. …Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power… (Acts 14:1, NLT), …preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord… (Acts 14:3, NLT) Bold preaching is not loud preaching; it is honest, direct, and unapologetic preaching. The Holy Spirit used such authoritative preaching to convict the hearts of many, and many believed. …Paul and Barnabas…preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. (Acts 14:1, NLT)

Persecution followed, for not all who heard the message believed. They became jealous, following Paul and Barnabas from town to town, inciting riots among the people, expelling them, stoning Paul, and trying to intimidate the believers. So what did the Apostles do? …they returned…strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:21–22, ESV)

What stood out to me in the reading is that genuine New Testament Christianity is not neutral in this world. The message we believe and preach is alive, convicting, and powerful—the power of God to save. Let us be encouraged that our message is as alive as Jesus is and that we should continue in the faith as the early church did.


Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Acts 13-14.