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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for February 2025
March 1, 2025
Galatians 3:22 – But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Thought: It was apparent that the Gentiles were in sin. Their worship of idols and practice of immorality was evident to all. The Jews, on the other hand, had a hard time admitting that they, too, stood in need of salvation. “But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin.” Both Jew and Gentile stood in need of the salvation in the promise given to Abraham. This salvation involved faith in a divine person, Jesus Christ. Through Him, all could be forgiven.
Romans 3:9-12
March 2, 2025
Galatians 3:23 – But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Thought: Paul contrasts two things, faith and the law. In essence, he is showing the distinction between Judaism and Christianity. He is explaining the difference between the Law of Moses (Old Testament) and the Law of Christ (New Testament). Before faith came, the Law of Moses was the authorized law of God for the Jews. It had various purposes to carry out. This law, however, would only last until “the faith should afterwards be revealed.”
Hebrews 8:7-8
March 3, 2025
Galatians 3:24, 25 – Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Thought: One word that needs to be defined in these two verses is the word “schoolmaster.” A schoolmaster in the first century was one who had the responsibility of getting the children to the school and their teachers safely. Once the children were dropped off, they were no longer under the care the schoolmaster. The law was man’s schoolmaster. However, once the Christ and His law came, the schoolmaster, the law, was no longer the authority.
Romans 7:4
March 4, 2025
Galatians 3:26, 27 – For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Thought: These two verses show us the connection between faith and baptism. Faith is the foundational element of the salvation process. One must have a deep trust in God’s Word. Too, that faith must be willing to obey the commands of God. If it will not, it is not a saving faith. One of the commands of God one must obey to be saved is to “be baptized.” Paul tells we are baptized into Christ and put Christ on in baptism. Baptism is essential to salvation.
Mark 16:16
March 5, 2025
Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Thought: The Judaizing teachers drew distinctions between individuals. Their efforts only led to division. This is not what is desired by God. The death of Jesus and the New Covenant are designed to unite all men in one body in Christ. The distinctions drawn by man are not recognized for membership in the church. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female…” In Christ, we are one.
Romans 3:29-30
March 6, 2025
Galatians 3:29 – And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Thought: This is a verse that is not understood by many who call themselves Christians today. We often hear this statement in many places: “The Jews are God’s people.” This is no longer the case. Under the Law, they were the people of God. Under the New Testament of Jesus Christ, Christians are the people of God. Christians are the seed of Abraham and heirs according to the promise. Jews are the seed of Abraham if they are Christians.
Romans 9:6-8
March 7, 2025
Galatians 4:1, 2 – Now I say, that the heir as long as he is a child differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all. But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Thought: Paul uses the example of a family to explain the purpose of the Law of Moses. He begins with a simple truth. The son in a family was the heir to his father’s wealth. However, while the heir was a child, he “differed nothing from a servant.” The servants were under the authority and control of others. In like manner, the child was under the control of others in and out of the home. No one who read Paul’s words would have countered his argument.
2 Samuel 4:4
March 8, 2025
Galatians 4:3 – Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
Thought: The Law of Moses was like a tutor or a governor in the lives of the Jews. It instructed them. It disciplined them. It controlled every aspect of their lives. Yes, the Jews “were in bondage under the elements of the world.” The laws were strict. The laws were minute. The law, however, served a vital function. It was preparing and developing the Jews for the next phase of their spiritual lives. It was bringing them to the Christ and to the faith.
Acts 15:10
March 9, 2025
Galatians 4:4 – But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
Thought: Each phrase in this verse has much meaning. First, God sent His Son into the world when the time was right. Years of preparation brought Jesus into the world. Second, God sent forth His Son. Redemption originated and was set in motion by the Father. Third, Jesus was made of a woman. Joseph had nothing to do with Jesus conception. Mary conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Fourth, Jesus lived under the Law all His life.
Luke 2:1-7
March 10, 2025
Galatians 4:5 – To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Thought: Those who lived under the law were not forgiven of their sins by the law. Sins were remembered each year on the Day of Atonement. Animals were sacrificed, but their blood could not remove sins. Jesus’ blood, however, could and did remove the sins of those who were faithful under the Law of Moses. Jesus’ blood redeemed them, that is, purchased them out of the bondage of sin. All who obey the gospel now become sons of God by adoption.
Ephesians 1:5
March 11, 2025
Galatians 4:6, 7 – And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son: and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Thought: Some believe that the word “Spirit” here refers to the Holy Spirit. Other believe that is refers to the same attitude or feeling that Jesus possesses as the Son of God. This spirit enables one to cry out unto God with fervor, and say: “Abba, Father.” Now that one is a son, he is no longer a servant. Under the law, the Jews were just children and were like slaves. Not so under the New Covenant. They are sons, “and if a son, then an heir of God…”
Romans 8:16-17
March 12, 2025
Galatians 4:8 – Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are not God.
Thought: The discussion of idolatry and false gods in an interesting one. False gods exist, but they do not really exist. There is only one God. False gods are figments of man’s imagination. Paul tells us that “by nature” these “are not God.” Men draw pictures of them. They make images of them. They act as if they really exist, but they do not. These things are gods only in the sense that men worship them instead of giving homage to the true God.
1 Corinthians 8:4
March 13, 2025
Galatians 4:9 – But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Thought: The Galatian churches were composed of members who were Jew and members who were Gentiles. Both had come to know God. In fact, their obedience to the gospel caused them to be “known of God.” They were now His children. This being the case, Paul asks: “…how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire to again be in bondage?” Why do they want to return to the things which in time past enslaved them?
Colossians 2:20-23
March 14, 2025
Galatians 4:10, 11 – Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Thought: When the Judaizing teachers proclaimed their “gospel,” to the Galatians, they were influenced by it. They began to engage in the teachings of these false teachers. Paul described their actions with these words: “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.” This upset the apostle. Paul said that he was “afraid” of them, that is, he was deeply alarmed. They were rejecting truth for error. If they persisted, his labor had been in vain.
1 Thessalonians 3:4-5
March 15, 2025
Galatians 4:12 – Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
Thought: Paul had been an faithful Jew. He had told the Galatians previously that he was “exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my father.” Now, however, he was a faithful Christian. Thus, he exhorts the Galatians to “be as I am.” He had been where they were at the present. They were not engaged in the tenants Judaism Paul had practiced as faithful Jew. They need to turn back and be as he is now. If not, they only injured themselves.
Acts 26:29
March 16, 2025
Galatians 4:13, 14 – Ye know how through the infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Thought: Paul had exhorted the Galatian Christians to be as he is. He then promptly reminds them of how they had so lovingly and graciously received them when he preached the gospel to them at the first. They did this even though Paul had an infirmity of the flesh. This infirmity is not described by the apostle. Whatever it was, the Galatians did no allow it to repel them from Paul. Instead, they receive him “as an angel, even as Christ Jesus.”
Job 12:4-5
March 17, 2025
Galatians 4:15 – Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? For I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
Thought: The Galatians had been turned against Paul by the Judaizing teachers. Thus, he reminded them of how they treated him at his first visit. “For I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and given them to me.” Eyesight is the most valued of the senses. Previously, the Galatians were willing to sacrifice it for Paul, but this had changed. He now asks: “Where is the blessedness ye spake of?”
1 John 3:16-18
March 18, 2025
Galatians 4:16 – Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Thought: One would think that the person responsible for another’s conversion would be a dear friend to the convert. Yet, Paul felt the Galatians were turning against him. All he wanted to do was save them by telling them the truth. Their minds had been poisoned by error. This error aligned them with those opposed to the apostle. Paul sought to convict them with his question. “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”
1 Kings 21:20
March 19, 2025
Galatians 4:17 – They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
Thought: False teachers are earnest in their endeavors. They will expend much time and effort to get others to follow them. But, the end of their efforts are not for the cause of truth. They lead men away from light to the darkness, from truth to error. These Judaizing teachers were doing all they could do to exclude the Galatians from the apostle Paul and truth. They yearned for the respect, affection, and devotion of these Galatian Christians.
2 Peter 2:18
March 20, 2025
Galatians 4:18 – But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
Thought: To be zealous is to be on fire. It involves being both enthusiastic and energetic in a task or enterprise. One can be zealous in an evil thing or in a good thing. Paul affirms: “It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing.” What he meant it that it was good for the Galatians to be zealous of the truth of the gospel. They were when he was among them. He wants them to continue to be zealous even though he is not present with them.
Numbers 25:11
March 21, 2025
Galatians 4:19, 20 – My little children, of whom I travail in birth again till Christ be formed in you, I desire to be present with you, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
Thought: Paul could tell the false teachers had impacted the Galatians. Paul noted the hurt that this caused him by comparing it to a woman who was in labor. He said he would continue with that pain “till Christ be formed in you.” He also informed them of his desire to be present with them. Words on paper and words in person are different. If he were present, they would hear his affection and concern. They would feel the doubt he had about them.
1 Corinthians 4:19-21
March 22, 2025
Galatians 4:21 – Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Thought: The Galatians had been influenced by those who wanted them to adhere to various aspects of the Law of Moses. Paul was a man who had been well trained in the law by the rabbi, Gamaliel. Thus, he points the Galatians to the very teachings of the law itself. One of the best ways to confront error is by using their own materials against them. In this case, the Law of Moses foreshadowed the abolition of the Old Law and the institution of the new.
John 5:46-47
March 23, 2025
Galatians 4:22, 23 – For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the free woman was by the promise.
Thought: Paul draws attention to the first book of the Law and to a very familiar family, the family of Abraham. Abraham had two sons. Ishmael was his son through Hagar, the bondwoman. Isaac was his son through Sarah, the free woman. Abraham had been promised a son through Sarah. He was born twenty-five years after the promise was made, however. Due to their impatience, Ishmael was born through Sarah’s handmaid, Hagar.
Genesis 16:2-4
March 24, 2025
Galatians 4:24, 25 – Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Thought: An allegory is a concrete story that contains a spiritual meaning. Hagar represents the covenant God gave Israel at mount Sinai. Hagar was not a free woman. She was a bondservant. In like manner, the Law of Moses “gendereth to bondage.” The law could not free men from sin. It only burdened men with sin. Paul also notes that the covenant made at Sinai “answereth to Jerusalem which now is,” that is, presently binding and authoritative.
Hebrews 8:6-8
March 25, 2025
Galatians 4:26 – But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Thought: Sarah was the wife of Abraham. She was a free woman. She represents the Law of Christ which had its beginning in the city of Jerusalem. Her freedom represents the freedom found in the New Covenant. The Law of Christ frees men from sin through the blood of Christ. Paul’s last words in this verse are noteworthy. The New Covenant is “the mother of us all.” Only Jews were under the Old Covenant. Jews and Gentiles are free under the new.
Isaiah 2:2-3
March 26, 2025
Galatians 4:27- For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath a husband.
Thought: Three words in this verse describe Sarah’s situation as a childless woman: barren, travailest not, and desolate. This condition, however, was not permanent. God promised her a son. Isaac was born when she was past the age of bearing children. The fulfillment of this promise would cause her to rejoice. Since Isaac was the child of promise, many children would be born to her. Spiritually, Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians were hers.
Isaiah 54:1