Matthew 1:1-17 The Genealogy

The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham....So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations. [Matthew 1:1-17 NASB]

It is necessary, I guess, to discuss the differences between Matthew's genealogy and Luke's.

It is generally accepted that Matthew is presenting the genealogy of Joseph, as Jesus' adoptive father, and that Luke presents the genealogy of Mary. As Joseph's (adopted) firstborn, Jesus has the legal inheritance through the line of David. As a descendant of Nathan (David's son) through Mary, Jesus has the genealogical right to inheritance.

It is noteworthy that when the Jews refuted Jesus' claim as the Messiah, they never attacked his genealogy. To the Jews of the first century, their family's genealogy was their most prized treasure. Without it, there could be no inheritance.

There are countless articles and opinions written about the differences and meanings of the genealogies, but I'm not going to get into that here.

Paul tells us, "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty." [Titus 3:9 NET] And "...Instruct certain people not to spread false teachings, nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God's redemptive plan that operates by faith." [1 Timothy 1:3-4 NET]

This doesn't mean that there is no value in the genealogies given to us in Scripture. Only that we should avoid endless and foolish speculations about them.

What I find interesting in this long list of names is the four women who are mentioned.

The first is Tamar. She married Judah's son, who died. According to custom, she became the wife of  Judah's second son, who also died. Judah promised that she could marry the third son after he grew up. When it became apparent that Judah would not keep his promise, Tamar dressed as a prostitute, wore a veil so that she wouldn't be recognized, and had sex with Judah. She gave birth to twins, including Perez, one of David's ancestors.

Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute. She is renowned for helping the Israelites spy out Jericho. She hid the spies, and helped them to escape. In return, she and her family were spared when Jericho was destroyed.

Ruth was a Moabite. Because the Moabites opposed Israel in the wilderness, they were considered enemies. Yet, she followed her mother-in-law to Israel and married Boaz.

Finally, Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah. When David had an adulterous relationship with her, she became pregnant, and David tried to cover it up by having Uriah killed.

These women all had something "wrong" with them. Prostitution, adultery, or foreign bloodlines. But none of that matters as they are mentioned with honor in Jesus' genealogy.

All of us have something "wrong" with us as well. But through the redemptive work of Jesus, we have forgiveness, and are mentioned with honor in the book of life.

Galatians 6:6-18 Closing Thoughts

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith....Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh....The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

 In his closing comments, Paul leaves us with a few thoughts.

First, in regards to full-time ministry. Those who devote themselves to teaching should be supported by those who receive. He addresses this issue in more detail in 1 Corinthians. "Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?...For it is written in the Law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.”...If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?" [1 Corinthians 9:7-11 NASB]

So we should honor those who teach us, and share with them from what God has provided to us.

In verse 7, he goes back to his previous discussion of the works of the flesh vs the fruit of the Spirit. If you feed the flesh, the flesh will prevail. If you feed the Spirit, the Spirit will prevail. Jesus said, “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." [Luke 6:43-45 NASB] In the same way, the works of the flesh cannot produce spiritual results.

In a similar vein, we reap good results when we do good. Being spiritual is not about "pie in the sky", ethereal thoughts; sequestering yourself from the world in order to commune with God. Being led by the Spirit means that He will lead you to do good works. These good works are not an effort to please God, or follow any law or set of rules saying, "You should do these good things." Rather, they are done in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

So being spiritual in origin and practical in nature, good works will reap eternal rewards. Don't get caught again in the trap of the law - doing good works because they are expected of you - but be led by the Spirit.

May you know God's grace in all that you think and do.

Galatians 6:1-5 How to Walk in the Spirit

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.

Paul is continuing his discussion contrasting the flesh vs the Spirit. There are two people in this passage. The one who is caught in any trespass is the one who is living in the flesh. The one who is spiritual is the one who is walking in the spirit.

He is suggesting that those who have learned to walk in the Spirit should mentor those who are not as far along. If you take on the role of mentor there will be temptations.

The most obvious temptation is to identify too much with the one you are teaching. In order to appear "sympathetic", you will join him in his fleshly pursuits. In the end, you will roll in the mud together.

The other temptation is pride. When comparing yourself to a believer who is still struggling with spirituality, it's easy to see your own, more advanced spiritual state, and think that you have somehow attained it by your own merit.

I used to be a believer that lived in the flesh. In spite of my good intentions, I couldn't overcome the sin in my life, and it ruled me. I never denied my faith, but I wasn't living the way I should. When I learned to walk in the Spirit, God delivered me from those sinful patterns. As he said, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." [Galatians 5:16]\

Because I still live in this body, my flesh still tries to rise up - not in the old sinful behavior from which God delivered me - but in the form of pride. I confess; pride is my nemesis. I want to compare my spirituality with other "less spiritual" believers. I want to think that I made the connection and the effort to walk in the Spirit. But I know that these are false.

Learning to walk in the Spirit didn't happen because of a great intellectual leap on my part. It happened because the Holy Spirit revealed it to me. I didn't overcome any sin on my own, but He took it from me. I did none of the work. He did everything. For my part, I believed, and I trusted.

Walking in the Spirit requires an act of faith. When you are tempted, you tell yourself, "I shouldn't do that." Then you steel yourself to resist the temptation. The problem is that telling yourself "I shouldn't" is an act of law, which is of the flesh. Trying to resist is an act of the flesh. You are only strengthening your flesh, which leads to more sin.

The first step in walking in the Spirit is acknowledging Him. When you are tempted, don't resist. Instead acknowledge that you are being tempted, then turn your heart and mind to Jesus. Stay there and rest in Him. Remember that He is living inside your heart, so you don't have to look out somewhere for help. He is right there.

You know that feeling you get when you are in the presence of the Holy Spirit? I'm not talking about your emotional reaction, but the feeling deep in your spirit, deeper than emotion. Emotions fluctuate. They come and go, depending on our circumstances. But the feeling of the presence of God does not depend on emotion.

Meditate on Him in prayer, and when you feel the presence of God, hang on to that feeling. Remember what it is like to be in His presence.

As you go through your day, you can feel the presence of God in everything you do; while working, playing, talking, or whatever you are doing. If you are driving your car and your spouse is sitting next to you, you don't forget your spouse just because you are driving. You can drive and also be aware of the presence of another person in the car. In the same way, you can drive and be aware of the Holy Spirit in you heart.

It is not easy at first to maintain an awareness of God. You get busy and your mind drifts. But as you remember, turn your mind back toward God, and maintain that awareness in the back of your mind. With practice, you will find that it becomes natural and habitual.

Living with full awareness of the Spirit of God, abiding in Him, this is what it means to walk in the Spirit. Learning to live without rules and being led by the Spirit is like stepping out of the boat and walking on the water. It takes faith. Trust God, and step out in faith.

Galatians 5:13-26 Walk by the Spirit

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another....But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh....But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Paul has used a variety of arguments to convince us that we should not follow the Law. For us gentile believers, that includes any of the rules and rituals we have made up in an effort to please God, or become more righteous.

He gave many of the same arguments when he wrote to the believers in Rome. He asked, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" [Romans 6:1-2 NASB]

In Galatians, he heads off that question. We are called to be free. But freedom is not an excuse to sin. We are free to walk in the Spirit of God, and to be led by him. If you are walking in the Spirit you won't sin.

I have heard it said many times that it is not possible to live without sinning. They were wrong. In the flesh it is impossible, but don't let your experience of trying to overcome sin by following the rules, or exerting your will in an effort to be better, color your understanding of life in the Spirit. You can't judge the Spirit by your experience in the flesh.

God has not set an impossible goal ahead of us. But he empowered us by giving us His Spirit to live in us. He wants us to live by faith in His ability to lead us.

Someone may ask, "if there are no rules, how do we know what is right or wrong?" Paul's answer is simple: It's obvious. He provides a long list of fleshly, immoral behavior. This is not a list of "thou shalt not's". They are more like signposts of your spiritual life. If you find yourself getting drunk, watching porn, lashing out in anger, following New Age practices (which is idolatry), being jealous, or anything else like that, then you know that you are living in the flesh and not in the Spirit. And this is not a comprehensive list. For example, murder and robbery are not on the list, but I think we can agree that these are also works of the flesh.

Take note of Paul's warning "that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

But if you walk by the Spirit, you will show the fruit of the spirit. This passage is frequently taken out of context, and the fruit of the Spirit is held up as a list of attributes that we should aspire to have. "Work hard to be more loving and peaceful. Be patient. Be kind. etc." The principle holds that any effort on our part to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit is an act of the flesh, and will fail.

The emphasis is on walking in the Spirit. As the Spirit leads you, you will find that you are more able to love. You will experience more peace, not because you worked for it, but because the Holy Spirit has caused it to grow. The fruit of the Spirit is another signpost of you spiritual life. When you see these types of attributes, don't become proud, but recognize that you are on the right path.

Again, this is not meant to be a comprehensive list. For example, generosity and humility are not on this list, yet they also are fruits of the Spirit.

By their nature, we know which acts are right or wrong. If we walk in the flesh, we will carry out the deeds of the flesh. But if we walk in the Spirit we will carry out the deeds of the Spirit..

Galatians 5:1-12 Fallen From Grace

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love....I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.

Paul is using the example of circumcision as a tenant of the law. The principle would hold true if he used keeping kosher, observing the sabbath, ritual cleansings, or any of the 613 Jewish commandments. The principle applies equally to any of the religious rules and rituals we follow.

The point being made here is that if you keep one part of the law, you are under obligation to keep the whole law. We are also told, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." [James 2:10 NASB]

Paul takes it even further, stating that those who have chosen to follow the law have fallen from grace. It's an either/or proposition. Either you are saved by grace, or you are saved by your works. If you could be saved by your works, then Jesus died in vain.

If you persist in choosing to do works as a path to righteousness, then you are denying the grace that God gave you, and are turning your back on the cross. Again, Paul goes so far as to say that if you persist in choosing to be sanctified by means of religious rituals, then you will be severed from Christ.

But Jesus did not die in vain. We are saved by grace through faith. We are also sanctified by grace through faith. All of our righteousness is from Him. We cannot progress in our Christian walk through any work of the flesh, but only as the Holy Spirit works in us, and as we work together with Him in faith.

Your religion doesn't matter. No denomination is better than another, but only your faith. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "but the righteous man shall live by faith." [Romans 1:17]

Rules and rituals are crutches we lean on in our spiritual walk. But our crutches quickly turn into chains.

But Jesus has set us free from those chains. Throw away the rule book and walk by faith. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Therefore, walk in that freedom, and let the Spirit of Christ lead you into righteousness.

Galatians 4:1-31 Religion vs Relationship

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God....But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years....Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar....And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.

Here Paul gives two more allegories to illustrate his point that we are to live by faith, and not by the rule of law.

In the first, he compares those who live by the law to a child who is under guardians and managers. Even as adults, if we live under the management of rules that tell us "do this" or "don't do that", then we have never matured. We are still under the authority of a guardian. Only when we are free from the law can we mature and come into our inheritance.

God has adopted us as his own children. Because of the this, He sent the Spirit of Jesus into our hearts.

When we pray, we are not praying to a God who is far away in Heaven. He is not far away, but is near. I have heard some preachers suggest that we imagine Jesus in the room with us. Then talk to him as if he is sitting nearby. But Jesus is closer than that. He is in your heart. Not the physical organ, but the deepest part of who you are, where your spirit resides.

Jesus said, "In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." [John 14:20 NASB] Because the Spirit of Jesus is in your heart, His spirit and your spirit become one. He is in you, and you are in Him. When you seek God, don't look for Him on the throne of Heaven because you can't go there in this life. Don't imagine him sitting in the room with you because that still places Him too far away. You will find God in your own heart, because He has placed His Spirit there.

There is a false religion that teaches that humanity is divine. Or that God lives in the heart of all men. Truth, they say, is found by looking within yourself. Don't confuse what I'm saying with that. People are not divine. God does not live in the heart of all people, only those who have placed their trust in the Lordship of Jesus. And we do not find any answers by looking within ourselves, but by seeking God, who is within us.

Having been set free from constraints of law, why do we insist upon being bound by religion. Religion says go to church on Sunday (or Saturday or Friday, depending on the religion). Religion tells us to eat at certain times, or fast at certain times, or which foods to eat or which to avoid; what to drink or not drink; which holidays to observe. The list goes on and on, and the more legalistic the religion, the longer the list becomes.

When I first came to Christ in the 1970's, many churches were still caught up in what was called the "holiness movement". Although there was nothing holy about it. "Holiness" churches mandated a dress code for church services. The top button must be buttoned so that you would not be a temptation to others. Women wore dresses, not pants. It was a sin to go to a movie theater (because we know what people do in the dark). Boys and girls could not go to the beach together, lest they see each other in revealing swimwear and be tempted. And on and on. Violations of the code would have you removed from the church.

The holiness movement has evolved. Church leaders decided to take a stand against "legalism" by dropping prohibitions about such things as dancing and theater attendance, while continuing to condemn alcohol and tobacco use as sin. Put another way, they couldn't live by their own rules, so they made the rules easier, but still remain in bondage to the letter of the law. They just changed some of the letters.

"But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?"

You who insist on being ruled by the law are like the children of Hagar the bondwoman. You are living in the flesh, and trying to make yourself righteous by acts of the flesh. You are like a child who puts on his dad's oversized shoes and coat and says, "I'm all grown up". But, in truth, you are still immature, the son of a bondwoman living under the authority of a tutor. The goal of "holiness" is to be free from sin, but no act of will, which is of the flesh, can free you from sin.

But God's promise to us is that we can be free. We are children of God and children of promise. God doesn't want your religion, he wants a relationship with His children. Walk in the freedom that God has given you. The Holy Spirit is alive in your heart. Listen to Him, and trust Him to lead you into righteousness. 

It may be scary to leave behind the rules of religion and rely on the Holy Spirit for every moral decision. It takes faith. But the rewards are far more than worth it. When you are free from the law, you are free to have a mature relationship with God the Father. When you are free from the bondage of religion, the Holy Spirit will free you from the bondage of sin.

Galatians 3:15-29 Promise to Abraham

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise....Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made....But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

God makes this promise to Abraham: “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”[Genesis 22:18 NASB] Abraham didn't obey God's voice because of law, but because of faith. Galatians 3:6 says, "Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."

This promise was fulfilled in Jesus. The Law that was given to Moses was not a fulfillment of the promise, nor did it replace the promise. It was more of a a parenthesis: God gave the promise (God gave the Law until the promise could be fulfilled) God fulfilled the promise in Jesus.

The Law fulfilled a purpose. Without faith, we need guidelines and rules to teach us how to live.

A child lacks the maturity to live a faith-filled life. As we are taught, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," [Romans 3:23 NASB] We are born into sin and need rules to teach us right from wrong. As we mature, we can make the decision to follow Christ, and live by faith. Until that time, we are still bound by the rules and laws. If we live our entire lives without ever accepting Christ, we are still bound by our own laws, and will be judged by them.

"For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus." [Romans 2:14-16 NASB] Don't think that this passage excuses those who don't hear the Gospel, as I've heard it taught. It does not excuse, but holds them accountable for the Law of their own hearts, and whether they have lived by it, or have ever broken their own Law.

But when faith comes, we no longer need to be taught right or wrong because the Spirit of God is in us, teaching and guiding us individually.

God's promise preceded the Law of Moses, and God's promise supersedes any law that you place upon yourself.

You have been born again as a child of God. The Law of Moses was to the Jews only, but the promise to Abraham was, "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed."

Therefore there is no difference in Christ. As it says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

We are all children of God by grace through faith. It is not a result of laws or works, but because God promised.