Pastor Taylor Gabbert brings us a lesson from the whole account of the life of Samson. We pray this is encouraging.

Sin is a reality in the life of every Christian. If this were not true, we would not need admonitions to fight temptation or to put on the whole armor of God. The question becomes, “How do we deal with the sins that enter into and impact the church?” In essence, how do we pursue holiness together as a church family?

Christianity is a call to a distinctive lifestyle lived out in a culture full of the temptations of sin. The key to boldness and credibility is a life marked by the presence of the Spirit of God. We experience internal struggles, but the Holy Spirit daily leads us away from sin. Disciples experience the freedom to conquer temptations when we learn to “keep in step with the Spirit.”

King Solomon is renowned for his biblical wisdom throughout his writings in scripture. Solomon urges the people to remain faithful to trust the Lord and not turn away from the Father. Jesus says “My Sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” What does it look like to hear the voice of our Father, to respond, and to honor Him in how we live our lives?

With the transition to chapter five, Paul moves into the third major section of this letter. The first two chapters were a defense of his apostleship. Chapters 3-4 were a theological defense of justification by faith. Now, he turns to the practical implications of the faith. What, exactly, does the Spirit-filled life look like? Also, what is it not?

Still concerned that the church must see the dangers of legalism, Paul utilizes one more line of attack. He has tried warnings, threats, sarcasm, logic, and personal appeal. Now he presents an allegorical illustration drawn from the Torah itself. Only the way of the gospel offers true spiritual freedom!

A promise of rest is available to us today, but…

Often associated with the Christmas story, these verses reveal that the Incarnation did not begin with angels and shepherds, nor end with a manger and wise men. But rather, it began long ago in the very mind of God; and it continues in the redeemed lives of God’s children in every generation. This is the gospel Paul is defending.

Having emphasized the superiority of grace, Paul now explains the purpose of God’s law. It has two chief functions: first, to probe the hidden soul for sin, and second, to prepare the desperate soul for salvation. The law is diagnostic, not curative.

Paul continues his instruction against legalism by pointing to the Galatians’ own experience of justification by faith and not by law. He then defends this doctrine from the Old Testament, exposing the misinterpretations of the false teachers. Biblical faith accomplishes something that good works alone can never do!