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Many places in the Scriptures we are given a choice and that choice begins with the word "if."  If we do this then God will do this.  For example - 1 John 1:9  "If" we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  When we come across one of these "if" verses we have an opportunity to evaluate our own relationship with Jesus and see whether or not we are pursuing His will. 

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Paul ends his letter to the Galatian believers by encouraging them to keep up the fight and not fall into the hands of the false teachers that had already deceived many of them.  

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Paul, continuing his letter to the churches in Galatia, now asks the believers "who hindered you from obeying the truth?"  Like the Galatians who were being deceived by false teaching bringing people under a religious legal system that was totally unnecessary, we too can fall victim to religious systems, traditions, dogmatic teachings and hinder our freedom in Jesus.  This brings us back into bondage of the world and the master of the world - Satan.  Paul clarifies certain behavior, like he did in his letter to the Ephesians and the first letter to the Corinthian believers, that is a disqualifier from the kingdom of God if we do not surrender that behavior to Jesus.  This is helpful in our lives to know what is expected of us but at the same time challenges our faith.  Do we really surrender all to Jesus?     

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There are times in our lives as believers where we suffer.  This is nothing new and is actually a part of God's development plan for us.  But how we receive and accept the suffering can be either edifying, or builds us up, or we can withdraw and become bitter which sinks us in the opposite direction.  

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When Jesus breathed on His disciples and said "receive the Holy Spirit" that moment was a turning point for the disciples as the Holy Spirit that was "with" them was now going to be in them.  When a person receives the Holy Spirit, it's a real even that initiates the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is a foundational component of our salvation.  

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Repentance plays a critical role in our relationship with Jesus.  It's not a one time deal where we repent, receive Jesus then we live our lives perfectly until we die.  Rather it's a lifestyle rooted in obedience to the Holy Spirit where the battle we experience in our own flesh or natural mind rages and we have a choice to continue in repentance or return back to the flesh and be miserable as believers.  

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A "religious" person may have all the right stuff on the outside but never achieve any victory in Jesus because they are not concerned with God's will in their life rather "checking the box."  But to the person who is seeking the will of God and is willing to trust in Him no matter what the circumstances, they will be the ones who will receive the forgiveness and cleansing of God.  

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The Apostle Paul continues his correction in this letter to the churches in Galatia now comparing the life of freedom in Christ verses the life in subjection to the Law of Moses to Ishmael and Isaac the sons of Abraham.  

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How we approach the Lord declares our relationship with Him.  Are we doubting Him or demanding from Him?  Or are we seeking His will to be done over all else.  In this episode there are two men each with a different approach to Jesus and a different response from Jesus.  Both received what they were asking but it is very telling in their approach why Jesus responded differently to each one. 

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Paul presents several questions, answers and arguments defending the sole sufficiency of Christ and it's superiority over the Law reminding those Gentile believers that the Law of Moses doesn't cleanse them nor does it give them spiritual power to draw close to God.