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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for December 2024
January 1, 2025
Galatians 1:1 – Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Thought: When Paul addressed the churches of Galatian, he immediately established his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He informed them that he was an apostle “by Jesus Christ and God the Father.” He was not an apostle “of men or by men.” Paul confronts false teachers in this book. Apparently, they had attacked the authenticity of his apostleship. Paul felt it necessary to confront this allegation head on. He was a genuine apostle of Christ.
Acts 9:15-16
January 2, 2025
Galatians 1:2 – And all the brethren with me, unto the churches of Galatia.
Thought: Paul wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia, but there were others, his fellow laborers, who also saluted these churches. The churches of Galatia were very important to Paul. He had established some of them on missionary journeys. They were part of the apostle’s fruit among the Gentiles. Paul had to leave them to continue his missionary work, but when issues arose, he wrote out of his love for them. He never deserted his converts.
Acts 16:5-6
January 3, 2025
Galatians 1:3 – Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thought: In Paul’s salutation to the church of Galatia, he wishes both grace and peace upon them. Grace can be defined as divine favor. It can also be defined as divine help. Peace involves a state of tranquility the soul possesses from a right relationship with God regardless of one’s environment. He longs for these two gifts to be given to them by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. If these are the givers, the gifts are good and perfect.
Romans 1:7
January 4, 2025
Galatians 1:4 – Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God.
Thought: Jesus gave in order to pay for the price for the sins of humanity. He gave in order to deliver humanity from “this present evil world.” Jesus gave “according to the will of God.” It is what He gave that overwhelms us. He did not give money. He did not give an animal sacrifice. Paul reveals He “gave himself.” Man is not able to comprehend the incarnation, that is, deity becoming flesh. And, only love explains giving that life for sinful man.
John 10:17-18
January 5, 2025
Galatians 1:5 – To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Thought: God should be glorified by all at all times. There are two main reasons He deserves glory. First, He deserves glory for who He is. Second, He deserve glory for what He has done. Paul praises God here because of what He has done. He gave His Son Jesus for our sins and to deliver us from this evil world. As sinners and residents of this world, it is difficult for us to comprehend the magnitude of this blessing. Those who do will glorify the Father.
Philippians 4:20
January 6, 2025
Galatians 1:6, 7 – I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Thought: Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia because false teachers had entered into the congregations. Paul’s marveled as to how quickly they had left the grace of Christ for another gospel. He, then, make an interesting statement. He writes: “…which is another…” The two words translated another are different Greek words. The churches had turned to another gospel of a different kind which was not another, that is, another of the same kind.
2 Timothy 1:9
January 7, 2025
Galatians 1:8, 9 – But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Thought: There is only one true message God has revealed to mankind that will enable him to be saved and to live eternally in heaven. We often refer to this message as the gospel, good news. Sadly, there are many in the world who preach “another gospel,” that is, another of a different kind. Paul pronounces a curse upon all those who preach a false gospel. This curse is upon men or angels. It was also upon the apostles if they changed the gospel.
Titus 3:10
January 8, 2025
Galatians 1:10- For do I now persuade men or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Thought: When the gospel is preached, the preacher attempts to please either man or God. The minister who seeks to please God cannot please men. The minister who seeks to please men cannot please God. Some like to believe they can do both, but it is not possible. The prophets, John the Baptist, and Jesus did not seek to please men. Paul stood with the greats of the past. He knew pleasing men proved he was not the servant of Christ.
Acts 4:19-20
January 9, 2025
Galatians 1:11, 12 – But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of men, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Thought: Paul did not seek to please men with is preaching because he understood who had given him the message he proclaimed. Men did not deliver unto the apostle a catechism to be taught. Paul did not go to a school of men in order to learn the doctrines he proclaimed. Paul’s revelation came from Jesus Christ. He received his message from the Holy Spirit. Paul was unequivocal about the origins of his gospel. It was from above and not from man.
1 Corinthians 2:9-13
January 10, 2025
Galatians 1:13 – For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.
Thought: Paul notes his previous lifestyle while living in Judaism. He did this because he wanted the Galatians to understand his sincerity in Judaism and the gravity of his decision to follow the Christ. Previously, He “persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.” The word “wasted” is very strong. It means “to sack, to ravage, destroy, and to overthrow.” Paul was sternly in opposition to the church. Clearly, Judaism was not a friend of the church of God.
Acts 22:3-5
January 11, 2025
Galatians 1:14 – And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals of mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Thought: Within any institution, there are those who excel. Paul excelled in the Jews’ religion. His position in Judaism is never explained in detail, but he was one who had access to the high priest. The reason Paul profited in the Jews’ religion is because he was “more exceeding zealous of the traditions” of his fathers. Paul invested time and energy learning the traditions and putting them into practice. Paul was a serious student of Judaism.
Acts 9:1-2
January 12, 2025
Galatians 1:15 – But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace.
Thought: God had a plan to bring redemption from sin to mankind from before the foundation of the world. When God developed that plan, He saw various individuals He could use to fulfill His plan. Paul was one of them. Yes, Paul was separated from his mother’s womb. The plan, however, involved a call. This call was not a forced call. Paul responded to this call voluntarily. If Paul had not answered the call, another would have.
Acts 26:19
January 13, 2025
Galatians 1:16 – To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.
Thought: Paul’s call involved his living a life that reflected Jesus Christ. It also involved his preaching the gospel to the heathen. These were mega tasks. Too, they would be filled with great sacrifice, difficulty, and pain. Paul’s reaction to the call is found in these words: “…immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.” When Paul learned the truth, he obeyed. He did not seek the advice of parents, his equals in Judaism, or the high priest.
Acts 8:35-39
January 14, 2025
Galatians 1:17 – Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Thought: Previously, Paul said that he had not received his message from man nor was he taught it by man. Paul’s gospel came directly from the Holy Spirit of God. Paul notes that he did not go directly to Jerusalem to see the apostles after his conversion. He went to Arabia. Then, he returned to Damascus. However, his gospel was the same gospel taught by the twelve apostles of Christ. Only direct revelation from God could account for this.
2 Corinthians 11:32-33
January 15, 2025
Galatians 1:18, 19 – Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
Thought: Paul was both a Christian and an apostle of Jesus Christ for three years before he made his first trip back to Jerusalem. When he was there that first time, he saw only two prominent people within the leadership of the church, Peter and James, the Lord’s brother. In addition to his only seeing these two men, he was only there for fifteen days. These points prove that Paul’s gospel was not received by being taught by men. He was inspired of God.
2 Corinthians 12:11
January 16, 2025
Galatians 1:20 – Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God I lie not.
Thought: The Galatians had been told Paul was a liar by the Judaizers. They denied that he was an apostle. They fabricated stories as to where Paul received his teachings. Thus, when Paul wrote to the churches, he set forth the facts. He did not receive his message from men , nor was he taught it by men. His first meeting with anyone in Jerusalem was three years after his conversion. All of this was absolute truth. Paul affirmed: “Before God I lie not.”
Romans 9:1
January 17, 2025
Galatians 1:21, 22 – Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; and was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ.
Thought: Paul continues to prove that the knowledge that he had of the Christianity was not given to him by men. Instead of being active in Jerusalem and Judea after his conversion, he was working in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. He affirms: “…and was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ.” Even though he was not tied to those churches, Paul’s gospel was the same as theirs. It was from the same source, the Holy Spirit.
Acts 11:25-26
January 18, 2025
Galatians 1:23 – But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preached the faith which he once destroyed.
Thought: In this verse, we learn about the transformational power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul had been a staunch opponent of the church of Christ and the doctrines it proclaimed. However, the gospel radically altered his heart and life. Following his conversion, he became a bold preacher of the gospel. In an honest and good heart, truth works like dynamite. The lies, the evil, and the sin are replaced with truth and holiness.
1 Timothy 1:13-16
January 19, 2025
Galatians 1:24 – And they glorified God in me.
Thought: Man can glorify God for many reasons. One of the main reasons man should glorify God is because God provided a means for man to be saved from his sins. Man can also glorify God because of what He has done to bring change in the life of another individual. This is why those in the regions of Judea glorified God. They saw the transformation of Saul of Tarsus and how it benefited his life as well as their lives.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
January 20, 2025
Galatians 2:1 – Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Thought: In a seventeen year period following his conversion, Paul had taken only one trip to Jerusalem. The second trip happened fourteen years after the first trip. On this occasion, he took Barnabas. Barnabas was the main traveling companion of Paul on his first missionary journey. Both of them had laboured among the churches of Galatia. In addition, Paul took another young minister named Titus. Titus was a Gentile convert of the apostle himself.
Acts 13:3-4
January 21, 2025
Galatians 2:2 – And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run in vain.
Thought: Paul went to Jerusalem by revelation, that is, the Holy Spirit charged Paul to make the trip to the holy city. The purpose of the trip was to make known to those in Jerusalem the gospel he preached to the Gentiles. Only Peter and James had seen Paul after his conversion. They probably heard of his diligent labors. Thus, they would have been curious about his preaching. He first spoke to those of reputation lest he had run in vain.
1 Corinthians 1:23-24
January 22, 2025
Galatians 2:3 – But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
Thought: Before Timothy went on Paul’s second missionary journey, He was circumcised. Timothy was half Greek. When they came into the presence of Jews, they would question whether Timothy was circumcised. Paul did not want this to hinder their message. However, Paul did not compel Titus, another Greek to be circumcised. Paul knew the Law of Moses was no longer binding. He proved this point to the false teachers through Titus.
Acts 16:1-3
January 23, 2025
Galatians 2:4 – And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.
Thought: The Judaizing teachers of the first century wanted to bind part of the Law of Moses on the Gentile converts. Circumcision was one of their primary concerns. The Old Law, however, had been nailed to the cross. It was no longer the binding covenant. Thus, Paul was not going to allow these false brethren to bind this law on the Gentiles. Paul did not want them bound to the Old Covenant. Paul did not want them bound to the false teachers.
Acts 15:4-5
January 24, 2025
Galatians 2:5 – To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Thought: Paul stood against the false teachers fervently and unrelenting. He knew the danger that a false gospel presents to those who hear it. Instead of error, Paul longed for “the truth of the gospel” to continue with these Christians. Error is extremely persistent. If it is not stopped in its tracks, it will continue to influence those who are weak and unlearned. The faithful minister does not enjoy the fight against error, but he knows it is necessary.
I Timothy 1:3-5
January 25, 2025
Galatians 2:6 – But of those who seemed to be somewhat, whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person: for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me.
Thought: Paul knew that he was made an apostle differently than the other apostles. In 1 Corinthians 15:8, he notes he was “one born out of due time.” This, however, did not cause him to be of lesser authority than the others. When Paul went to Jerusalem, he was not intimidated by “those who seemed to be somewhat.” He knew God was not a respecter of persons. Paul’s gospel was the same gospel and just as authoritative as the others.
2 Corinthians 11:5
January 26, 2025
Galatians 2:7, 8 – But contrariwise, when they saw the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles).
Thought: When it was time for the apostles to carry out the Great Commission, God directed their labors. Paul’s labors were primarily among the Gentiles. Peter, on the other hand, labored predominately among the Jews. The message they proclaimed was the same. It was only the audiences that differed. When the church in Jerusalem came to understand this distinction, they accepted and fully endorsed Paul’s labors. They knew he was one of them.
Acts 15:12
January 27, 2025
Galatians 2:9 – And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Thought: “Fellowship” is an important term in Christianity. Fellowship involves joint-participation, sharing, communion, and intercourse with one another. Fellowship is based upon a likeness of understanding with regard to the truth of God’s Word. The faithful are in fellowship with God. Too, they are in fellowship with one another. Evil and the world are not to be fellowshipped. After investigating, Paul was given fellowship by the brethren in Judea.
Ephesians 5:11
January 28, 2025
Galatians 2:10 – Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Thought: After meeting with the brethren in Jerusalem, Paul was sent on his way with Godspeed from the leadership. They sent him with one request, “that we should remember the poor.” The poor have always had a special place in the heart of God. Often the situations that led to their being poor were not of their choosing. These individuals are often more receptive to the truth than the rich. Paul affirmed that he would honor this request.
James 2:5-7
January 29, 2025
Galatians 2:11 – But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to blame.
Thought: When a person becomes a member of the church, he enters into a life that is filled with relationships. In this verse we read of the relationship between two apostles, Peter and Paul. Paul notes a time when he had to confront his brother in Christ. He did so because “he was to blame.” Peter had done something wrong. He had committed a sin. Paul confronted Peter properly. He did not go behind his back. He withstood him to his face.
1 Timothy 5:20
January 30, 2025
Galatians 2:12 – For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Thought: After the Jerusalem meeting, Paul went to Antioch. In time, Peter visited Paul and the Gentile converts that were there. Not only did he visit them, he fellowshipped them by eating with them. However, when Jews from Jerusalem came, Peter withdrew himself from the company of the Gentiles. His reason for separating from them was that he feared “them which were of the circumcision.” He feared their criticism. He feared their ostracism.
Acts 10:28
January 31, 2025
Galatians 2:13 – And other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Thought: Whether we realize it or not, our actions can have a dramatic impact on others. Some people are “followers.” They are easily influenced by people in whom they put their trust. When Peter separated himself from the Gentiles when the Jews arrived in Antioch, others followed his lead. Even Barnabas was impacted by Peter’s dissimulation. All are responsible for their own actions, but we must remember that what we do impacts others.
1 Corinthians 5:6
Read devotionals for February 2025