For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Gal. 3
I sometimes think the biggest road block to salvation in Christ is that we don’t – even can’t – take any action to receive it. There is something in us humans that doesn’t like to be told that we can’t. I once heard a discussion on the radio about religion where one of the DJ’s said they liked Catholicism because they liked the idea of being able to pay penance for their sins. The thought that we are 100% helpless to do what we 100% must do – atone for our sins – is humbling. And let’s face it, that kind of humility is HARD. I think that’s why the early Jewish believers had such a hard time letting go of the law and why the Gentile believers were so easily swayed by it.
Paul makes it quite clear, however, that the flesh – our old human nature – has no part in salvation. “After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3). God’s blessing of salvation came to us through a promise. The righteousness of that promise is ours when we believe it. That’s it. Nothing else. “So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness’.” (Gal. 3:6). Obedience to God’s law is then no longer an adherence to a written code through which we hope to make ourselves righteous. It is now the nurturing of a relationship based on love and gratitude with the promise in whom we believe.
2 Sam. 21-22
This song is Psalm 18. When I read this song of David’s, I picture the battle that took place while Jesus hung on the cross and laid in the grave. The quaking earth, the shroud of darkness, and the glorious rescue as enemies are trampled and crushed – it is all a fantastic graphic of Jesus’ death and resurrection. While Jesus was hanging on the cross, we learn from Matthew, “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.” (Matt. 27:45). And when He took His last breath, “the earth shook, the rocks split, and the tombs broke open.” (Matt. 27:51b-52a). And we learned in the beginning the fate of the serpent, the great enemy of man. “He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” (Gen. 3:15b). The Bible is such an amazing book!