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By The Spirit - Faithfulness…
A little more background… Letter to the Galatians…
Written by Paul in the mid-50’s AD
He was writing to correct false Beliefs & Behaviors that had snuck into the early church in the region of Galatia.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. —NIV Galatians 1:6–7
Some people began adding expectations for salvation on top of the work of Christ… should circumcision be required…
Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples. —NLT Galatians 6:12–13
So, it is a pure GRACE and FAITH system…. It’s all about who Jesus is and what He did for us and then our belief, faith and trust in HIM that makes us new….
… and the desire is that those who have been called and touched by His grace and are being made new, we should want to and desire to live different because we have been made, and are in the process of being made, into new people…
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. —NLT Galatians 5:13–15
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! —NLT Galatians 5:22–23
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. —NIV Hebrews 11:1–3
Faithfulness is trusting God is who He says that He is… He is Him… Because of His Word and His character
For we live by faith, not by sight. —NIV 2 Corinthians 5:7
Five Traits of what a faithful life looks like:
The Word of God is your final authority
Prioritize time with God daily
Love well
You are a giver, not a taker
Invests and builds daily
Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies —NLT Zechariah 4:6
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” —NLT Zechariah 4:10
Did you make a decision to follow Christ for the very first time, or are you recommitting your life to Christ? Congratulations - we are celebrating with you! Cypress wants to walk alongside you as you take this new step in your faith journey. What’s the next right step for you? Click HERE and let us know you made a decision today!