Judges is the "Wild West" of the Old Testament, filled with stories of violence, deceit, betrayal, abuse, and vigilante justice. How can we possibly be edified by this book? How can we read it well?

Galatian's final exhortations toward Christian community life, at first glance, might seem merely practical advice, but what Paul has to say about freedom in community is inextricable from his message about the gospel. In life together, we show the world what it means to be truly free.

What does it mean to be truly free? Many would respond you must be free to do what you want without someone interfering. But St. Paul says freedom consists in wanting and pursuing what Jesus wanted and pursued. A truly free life is one which is lived in the pattern of Jesus, in service to others.

You have become united with Christ and now share in his identity and relationship to the Father. But how do we live into this identity? How does it transform the way that we think about ourselves and the way that we live?

Salvation is not something we earn. Our identity—who we are—is determined not by how we look, or what we can do, or who we know, or where we live, or any other such measure. All such standards of worth and identity have been put to death.

Galatians is a book that reflects a moment of crisis. Paul's passion and urgency as he writes the letter is unmistakable, and there is good reason for that. For what is at stake is the Gospel itself.