The Positivity With Purpose Podcast

In this episode, I announce the transition to a new brand - Positivity with Purpose. Rooted Reality will hang around a bit longer, but Positivity with Purpose will hit the ground running in about two weeks. 

The Apostle Paul makes it clear in Galatians 2:15-21 that we are not justified by anything other than faith in Jesus. There are no amount of works, achievements, merits, education, adherence to a moral code, the law or anything else that can justify us in the presence of a holy God. This free gift from God requires that we place our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior to be justified. Nothing else can atone for our sins. 

In Galatians 2:11-14 we see Paul take a bold and needed stand by calling out Peter for his hypocrisy in hanging with the Gentiles...only when the "circumcision party" is not around. Paul reminds Peter and us that Christ's grace is sufficient, whether Jew or Gentile. We are all one family in Christ in spite of our differences and customs. 

Today we take a look at Galatians 2:1-10, where Paul overcomes legalism and false doctrine, standing his ground as being free from the bondage of the law by his faith in Jesus Christ. We will have disagreements in the church over things that may seem big but are actually petty in the big picture. While we should under no circumstance tolerate heresy, we also would be wise to not allow our theological and doctrinal differences to divide the Body of Christ and distract us to the point of further neglecting the much more pressing challenge of getting the Gospel to the nearly 2/3 of humanity who will die today without Christ as Lord and Savior. 

In today's episode, we explore Matthew 25:40, where Jesus talks about how we actually serve Him when we serve the least among us. The "least of these" of whom Jesus speaks are the impoverished, the sick, the outcast, the orphan, and the widow. But all of us certainly feel "least" at times in life when things aren't going our way, or if we are physically or spiritually afflicted. When we encounter people who may be having a bad day throughout our day, we should pause and remember that it's not about us. Everyone hurts differently at different times every day in this life. Let us be the light of Jesus and offer encouragement, kindness, and forgiveness in the name of Jesus, extending the kind of empathetic grace we'd so appreciate extended toward us on our worst days. 

Today we dive into John 4 and the "Living Water" Jesus spoke of to the woman from Samaria. 

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-24

Today we read a critical passage in Paul's letter to the Galatians in which he rebukes those who have been compelling gentile believers to adapt mosaic customs, such as circumcision. Paul, formerly Saul and certainly one of the legendary persecutors of the early church, now as its chief apostle and advocate sternly reminds them that only faith in Jesus saves. Adding to the work of Jesus on the Cross is disgraceful and flat wrong. Jesus completed our salvation work by His willing sacrifice to atone for our sins. Two thousand years later we are warned to avoid adding to Scripture and straying into false theology, whether legalism or the prosperity Gospel and any other form of heresy. Salvation is the free gift of God to humanity and requires no works by man. There's no way people could ever earn salvation through works or adherence to religious customs. One must only place their trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior and receive forgiveness of sins. 

Continuing Joseph's extraordinary journey exemplified by his perseverance throughout seemingly endless trials, Joseph's big moment finally arrives. Join us in Genesis 41 as Joseph is brought before Pharaoh for a moment of historical Truth. 

We begin our journey through Paul's Letter to the Galatians in Galatians 1:1-10. Paul reaffirms his authority in Christ and admonishes the young church for straying toward a false gospel. He also reminds them, and us, to seek the approval of God instead of men. 

Men can follow the example of Joseph when it comes to fleeing sexual temptation. Sometimes it's best to just run and, irrespective of the outcome, allow God to sort out the consequences.