Bobservations' Column
Word tenses and definitions in the Bible are interesting to study, even as languages “evolve” in the process of time. The meanings become apparent even from passages written long ago. In spite of language differences, faithful translators have brought us God’s Word in its most accurate form, without taking us to the original tongues.
Today’s title given to this message points to this despite language changes.
“Well Doing” points to us doing well in the tasks that the Lord gives us, which are actual commands. We all desire to hear God’s words on Judgment Day, “Well done thou good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of the Lord.” (Matthew 25:12 & 23). In our KJV 1611 translation, translators have taken us back to Genesis 4:7 and the story of Cain and Abel, as God speaks to Cain: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?...”
This was from that first generation after Adam and Eve fell from God’s grace. In the Masoretic Text of the Jewish scriptures, it reads similarly.
The editors of Miriam Webster’s Dictionary add new words to the accepted English language on a yearly basis. Yet the KJV Bibles we use today take us accurately all the way back 3,500 years ago to the time of Moses. The phrase “to do well” echoes from the past to our reading today. And as Paul uses it in today’s passage, he is referring to both our good works, and to our obedience to God’s Word. The understanding comes from letting the words sink into the heart, and not just into our ears. It is in our hearts that God has promised to “put His Law on our inward parts, and write it upon our hearts.” (fleshly tablets, instead of cold hard stone like the ones Moses received from God on Mt. Sinai).
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Titled - "Well Doing"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Word tenses and definitions in the Bible are interesting to study, even as languages “evolve” in the process of time. The meanings become apparent even from passages written long ago. In spite of language differences, faithful translators have brought us God’s Word in its most accurate form, without taking us to the original tongues.
Today’s title given to this message points to this despite language changes.
“Well Doing” points to us doing well in the tasks that the Lord gives us, which are actual commands. We all desire to hear God’s words on Judgment Day, “Well done thou good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of the Lord.” (Matthew 25:12 & 23). In our KJV 1611 translation, translators have taken us back to Genesis 4:7 and the story of Cain and Abel, as God speaks to Cain: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?...”
This was from that first generation after Adam and Eve fell from God’s grace. In the Masoretic Text of the Jewish scriptures, it reads similarly.
The editors of Miriam Webster’s Dictionary add new words to the accepted English language on a yearly basis. Yet the KJV Bibles we use today take us accurately all the way back 3,500 years ago to the time of Moses. The phrase “to do well” echoes from the past to our reading today. And as Paul uses it in today’s passage, he is referring to both our good works, and to our obedience to God’s Word. The understanding comes from letting the words sink into the heart, and not just into our ears. It is in our hearts that God has promised to “put His Law on our inward parts, and write it upon our hearts.” (fleshly tablets, instead of cold hard stone like the ones Moses received from God on Mt. Sinai).
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” - John 6:63
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message
Galatians 6:1-18 - "Well Doing"
We are in Galatians chapter 6 and finishing up this wonderful book. The focus of the chapter is on practical Christian living. Paul encourages believers to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. We are called to support and uplift our brothers and sisters in their times of need, showing compassion and mercy just as Christ has shown us. As we do good to all people, especially those in the family of believers (Galatians 6:10), we reflect God's love and bring glory to His name.
Paul teaches the principle of sowing and reaping, reminding us that we will reap what we sow. If we sow seeds of righteousness by walking in obedience to God's Word and serving others with love and humility, we will reap a harvest of blessings both now and in eternity. However, if we sow seeds of selfishness and sinfulness by following our own desires at the expense of others, we will reap destruction and separation from God.
The chapter also contrasts living according to the flesh with living according to the Spirit, ultimately leading to either destruction or eternal life.
As we embrace our identity as new creations in Christ, we bear the marks of Jesus through sacrifice, obedience, and perseverance, we become living testimonies of His love and grace.
May we, like the Galatians, fully surrender to Christ and allow Him to live through us, as we embrace the sufficiency of His grace for both our salvation and sanctification. Let us walk by the Spirit, sow to the spirit pleasing Him, and reap the eternal rewards that await those who faithfully serve our Lord.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Overtaken (6:1) - or "Caught," can imply the person was actually seen committing the sin or that he was caught or snared by the sin itself.
Ye . . . Spiritual (6:1) - Believers who are walking in the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and evidencing the fruit of the Spirit.
Restore (6:1) - or "to mend, or repair" like setting a broken bone or repairing a dislocated limb. Used metaphorically - settling a dispute or argument. The basic process of restoration is outline in Matthew 18:15-20.
Considering Thyself (6:1) - "Looking to, observing." The Greek form strongly emphasizes a continual, diligent attentiveness.
Bear One Another's Burdens (6:2) - Burdens are extra heavy loads, which here represent difficulties or problems people have trouble dealing with. Bear connotes carrying something with endurance.
The Law of Christ (6:2) - This is the law of love which fulfills the entire law.
Examine (6:4) - "to approve something after testing it." We must first be sure our lives are right with God before giving spiritual help to others (Matthew 7:3-5) .
Have Rejoicing in Himself (6:4) - Our boasting should be only in the Lord for what He has done in us (2 Corinthians 10:12-18). We cannot take the credit for the work of the
Spirit.
Bear His Own Burden (6:5) - Life's routine obligations and each believer's ministry calling (cf. Matthew 11:30; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10.) God requires faithfulness in meeting those responsibilities.
All Good Things (6:6) - Spiritually and morally excellent things learned from the Word, in which they fellowship together. This same term describes the gospel (Romans 10:15; cf. Hebrews 9:11).
Whatever a Man Sows . . . He Reaps (6:7) - This is an agricultural principle, applied metaphorically to the moral and spiritual realm, and is universally true. This law is a form of God's wrath.
Sows to His Flesh (6:8) - Pandering to the flesh's evil desires.
Corruption (6:8) - Degeneration, as in decaying food. Sin always corrupts and, when left unchecked, always makes a person progressively worse in character (cf. Romans 6:23).
Sows to the Spirit (6:8) - To walk by the Holy Spirit.
Everlasting Life (6:8) - the highest quality of living that a person can experience, as well as a life that endures forever.
Opportunity (6:10) - This Greek word refers to a distinct, fixed time period, rather than occasional moments. Paul's point is that the believer's entire life provides the unique privilege by which he can serve others in Christ's name.
I Have Written (6:11) - Paul wrote the entire letter by his own hand to make sure the Galatians knew he, not some forger, was writing it, and to personalize the document, given the importance and severity of its contents.
Good Showing (6:12) - Judaizers motivated by religious pride wanting to impress others with their external piety.
May Not Suffer Persecution (6:12) - The Judaizers were more concerned about personal safety than correct doctrine, adhering more to the Mosaic Law than to the gospel of Jesus. The hoped to avoid social and financial ostracism from other Jews and maintain their protected status as Jews within the Roman Empire.
Circumcised (6:13) - the Judaizers
Boast in Your Flesh (6:13) - Zealously worked to win Gentile converts to the law to brag about their effective proselytizing (cf. Matthew 23:15).
Boast Except in the Cross (6:14) - The Greek word for boast is a basic expression of praise without the aspect of pride. Paul glories and rejoices in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The World (6:14) - The evil, satanic system opposed to God.
Crucified to me, and I to the World (6:14) - The world is spiritually dead to believers, and they are dead to the world.
New Creation (6:15) - The new birth.
Peace and Mercy (6:16) - The result of salvation. Peace is the believer's new relationship to God (romans 5:1; 8:6; Colossians 3:15), and mercy is the forgiveness of all his sins and the setting aside of God's judgment (Psalm 25:6; Daniel 9:18; Matthew 5:7; Luke 1:50; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 2:4; Titus 3:5).
Israel of God (6:16) - All Jewish believers in Christ, those who are both physical and spiritual descendants of Abraham.
Marks (6:17) - Physical results of persecution.
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