So after looking at the importance of enduring hardships joyfully as Paul did in yesterday's lesson, today we will study a bit about pleasing God instead of others. At first these ideas may not seem connected, but the actions of pleasing God are what will most likely lead to the hardships we must endure. We begin our study of Galatians today with chapter one. Enjoy!
Optional memory work challenge: Acts 14:22
5 comments:
Done for today--so on the question at the bottom of pg 15 re: predestination--this is only saying that God knows whether we will choose to know Him or not and if we do choose this path we will be conformed to the likeness of Jesus through Christianity--right? Is this how you would explain it to someone who is using this as an example of "predestination" to heaven??
Strengthening the disciples and reminding them to remain true to the faith....something something...there are many hardships....something something
Acts 14:22
1. “Who gave himself for our sins to deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”
2. “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God.”
3. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son.”
4. “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
In verse 6, Paul was amazed that the brethren were so quickly deserting Christ and his grace.
Paul asserts that the gospel he teaches is true because it did not come through any man, but directly to him from Christ.
Paul had been a zealous leader in Judaism, advancing more than many of his contemporaries.
Paul persecuted the church of God beyond measure, trying to destroy it.
Paul was set apart “from the womb” (at birth).
“For those God foreknew He also predestined to become conformed to the image of his Son…”
Peter says that GREED is the motivation of false teachers.
We guard against false prophets by gaining more knowledge of God’s word, with vigilance and humility, motivated by our love for God and our desire to please Him.
We can be led astray if we seek more out of our religion that simple and pure devotion to Christ.
“Am I now trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant (bondslave) of Christ.”
Before Christ, I was enslaved to impurity, lawlessness and sin.
In Christ, I am enslaved to righteousness.
Isaiah said that Israel’s wellbeing would have been like a river, their righteousness like waves in the sea.
We must seek God with our entire hearts.
I’m not sure the answer here (what does she mean by “basis”?) If she means in what way will we be rewarded, it seems to say we are rewarded in Christ himself. If it means by what parameters will we be rewarded, it says we will be awarded according to what we have done.
I’ve always been a people pleaser. Since I was “raised in the Church” most of the people I’ve tried to please have been Christians – and some of those Christians have been extremely opinionated! It’s often been difficult for me to separate seeking God’s approval from seeking the approval of religious men and women. It’s complicated when we try very hard not to judge people’s motivation – for example, when two brothers (or sisters) both believe strongly that they are right in what they do, but they are in fact opposing each other in a complicated issue -- taking sides can seem wrong and sometimes sitting the fence can seem wrong too. Sometimes we have to make decisions that we know will displease someone. Sometimes those people will tell us we’re displeasing God by not taking their side. In light of that, for me, what it would mean to seek only God’s approval would be to have the wisdom, integrity and courage to truly discern what actions or words would truly please Him – regardless of what others might think.
Done for today.
I had two takes on that last question. One followed along the same lines as Jennifer. The other thing I thought of was in regards to what it would mean to me emotionally if I were to only worry about pleasing God and not anyone else. I am also a people-pleaser and pretty much every decision I ever make involves me thinking about what others will think of me for that decision. Letting that go and only focusing on pleasing God would make me a happier and less anxious person. So that is my goal. I think this day's verse is one that I need to attach to my mirror.
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Good comments, ladies. I too wrestle with being a people-pleaser. You are right, Audrey - it does remove so much emotional stress when we can escape that trap.
Sarah - your take on the predestination thing is probably correct. In tomorrow's reading we find that God is not a respecter of any one person. That would necessarily mean that He calls ALL to repentence and predestines that those who answer will live a certain way of life.
Done - two days late.
Enjoyed reading the comments.
On the 2 Cor 11:3-4 one, it appears she wanted an answer of 'boredom' but like Jennifer, I got a different answer. Mine was ignorance of the Word. I was reminded of Hosea 4:6.
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