Be careful what you ask for - you might just get it. The Galatians were contemplating a step backward to relate to God under the law instead of grace. While the opportunity looked good on the surface, Paul himself knew that it would rob them of freedom. He reminds them of a poor choice that Abraham made which was recorded in Scripture and the long-term implications of making that decision.

BIBLE VERSE References: GALATIANS 4:21-31 | GENESIS 12:1-20 | GENESIS 13:1-2 | GENESIS 15:2-6 | GENESIS 16:1-16 | GENESIS 18:9-15 | JOHN 8:36 | LUKE 15:10 | EXODUS 19:16-21 | REVELATION 21:1-27 | LUKE 13:27

How comfortable are you with letting people see the "real" you? Paul knew the Galatians on a deeply personal level, and was beginning to see signs that they were turning to inferior things that would weaken their spiritual lives. He loved them enough to speak up and point them back in the right direction. He reminds them of God's ability to call, accept, and use as as we are -- weaknesses and all -- but that He loves us too much to leave us there.

BIBLE VERSE References: GALATIANS 4:8-20 | MATTHEW 6:24 | LUKE 22:34 | LUKE 22:62 | PHILIPPIANS 3:4-8 | HEBREWS 12:1 | GENESIS 50:20 | ROMANS 8:28-29 | JOHN 9:1-3 | 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10 | MARK 1:4-6 | EPHESIANS 4:15 | 1 PETER 5:5 | GENESIS 3:1 | MATTHEW 28:18-20 | HEBREWS 4:13

Having a proper understanding of God as our Heavenly Father is crucial in rightly relating to Him. Paul encourages the Galatian believers to move on from relating to God with the Law in the mix in order to fully experience the relationship that God intended for us. He reminds them that God sent His own Son at the proper time in world history to redeem us to Himself, and that He will come again in God's perfect timing to bring His children home. The Spirit dwells within the believer in order that we might fully flourish as a child of God.

BIBLE VERSE References: GALATIANS 4:1-7 | ROMANS 3:23 | HEBREWS 8:7-13 | ISAIAH 30:21 | JOHN 14:18 | EPHESIANS 3:20 | MARK 1:2-15 | JOHN 1:14 | 2 PETER 3:3-4 | MARK 13:29 | REVELATION 13:15-15 | JOHN 3:3 | MATTHEW 3:17 | MATTHEW 6:9-13

Everything God does has a purpose. Even though we are not received by God through following His law perfectly, His law still held a strategic place in His plan of salvation for mankind. Taking a closer look at ourselves in light of God's law causes us to realize how much we need a Savior. Thankfully God has given us all equal access to Him through the gospel.

BIBLE VERSE References: GALATIANS 3:19-29 | LUKE 10:27 | MATTHEW 26:39 | ROMANS 3:9-20 | GENESIS 6:5-13 | JOHN 1:12 | 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20

It's wise to read the fine print before you sign a contract, lest you find out later some restrictions or exceptions you agreed to. Paul seeks to point out to the Galatians some of the implications of seeking a relationship with God based on works that they may not have considered. God has already thought through all the intricate details in a way that works in our favor. Thankfully it is founded upon His promises and not on our ability to achieve perfection.

BIBLE VERSE References: GALATIANS 3:10-18 | DEUTERONOMY 27:26 | HABAKKUK 2:4 | LEVITICUS 18:5 | MATTHEW 27:46 | PSALM 22 | JOHN 19:30 | DEUTERONOMY 21:22-23 | GENESIS 12:7 | 2 PETER 1:3-4

Nobody likes to feel foolish. It takes the wisdom of the Spirit to keep from being deceived. Paul reminds the Galatian believers about the resource they have in the Spirit to walk with and sustain a relationship with Jesus. It's the Spirit's presence that gives us the ability and resources to truly fulfill God's calling upon our lives.

BIBLE VERSE References: GALATIANS 3:1-9 | MATTHEW 24:24 | JOHN 14:17 | ACTS 1:8 | ACTS 2:17 | JOHN 16:8 | REVELATION 12:10 | 1 SAMUEL 10:6 | 1 SAMUEL 15:17 | 1 SAMUEL 16:14 | EPHESIANS 2:13-14, 17-19 | GENESIS 15:1-5

Who are the influencers in your life? And how are they influencing you? Paul tells the churches in Galatia about a time he watched his own friends influenced by outsiders, and how they navigated through the situation. Having people in our lives who love us enough to tell us the truth when we need it is critical to walking in blessing. 

BIBLE VERSE References: GALATIANS 2:11-22 | ACTS 11:26 | ACTS 10:9-16 | PROVERBS 29:25 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:33 | EPHESIANS 4:14-15 | 1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 | PROVERBS 25:11 | PROVERBS 18:19 | MARK 10:17-22 | LUKE 9:23 | JOHN 3:30

What is the hardest test you have ever taken? In this episode, Paul recalls the challenging test the early church leaders endured of clarifying the gospel for Jewish and Gentile believers. As in most tests we face, we do not always get them right the first time. Does God allow retakes? And why does it feel sometimes like we are retaking a test we thought we already passed?

BIBLE VERSE References: GALATIANS 2:1-2:22 | ACTS 9:15 | MARK 11:1-10 | ACTS 11:19-30 | ACTS 15:1-35 | AMOS 9:11,12 | GENESIS 22:1 | EXODUS 16:4 | 1 CHRONICLES 29:17 | 1 PETER 1:6,7

Giving ourselves to Christ also means releasing the right to schedule our lives. We yield our calendars to Him, and trust that He orchestrates events, milestones, and challenges in His perfect timing. Paul recounts to the churches in Galatia the early years of his journey of faith and ministry, acknowledging that God ordered his steps. Allowing God the right to guide our lives often leads believers to slow down, stand still, and wait on His timing.

BIBLE VERSE References: GALATIANS 1:15-2:1 | ACTS 9:1-22 | JOHN 6:44 | MATTHEW 4:19 | LAMENTATIONS 3:25-28 | ISAIAH 40:31 | PSALM 31:14-15 | JOHN 15:5 | 1 CHRONICLES 27:33 | 2 SAMUEL 15:37 | 2 SAMUEL 16:16 | ACTS 17:26-27

Embracing faith is a personal decision. We cannot be dependent on outside influences to secure us in a relationship with God. Paul recounts his own experience of how he came to embrace the gospel personally. A faith founded in culture, our environment, our community, or our family background is lacking an important component - a personal revelation of our need for Jesus. Those who find new life in Him will often look back and see that God has been pursuing them their entire lives.

BIBLE VERSE References: GALATIANS 1:11-17 | ACTS 9:1-22 | MATTHEW 5:3 | JOHN 16:8 | JOHN 3:3 | 1 CORINTHIANS 9:22 | JOEL 2:25 | 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-11 | MARK 6:38-44 | JOHN 10:27-28 | COLOSSIANS 1:21-23 | HEBREWS 4:12