The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Galatians 4:8,
"Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods."
As Paul presents his concerns about these Galatian believers, he brings up a bit of their history. Before they embraced Jesus Christ, (but now knew him), they existed in a state of slavery. This is actually the history of all of us who are believers. Before we chose to embrace Jesus Christ in faith we were slaves to "those who by nature are not gods."
The notion of being enslaved by "those who by nature are not gods" speaks to an irresistible influence in a person's life. We read of the freedom from slavery when we come to know Jesus Christ in Romans 6:14, a slavery to sin, "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." Here we read of slavery to "those who by nature are not gods."
In another place Paul speaks of "gods" that influenced people before they came to Christ, who were really not gods at all, "For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." 1 Corinthians 8:5-6.
"Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods."
As Paul presents his concerns about these Galatian believers, he brings up a bit of their history. Before they embraced Jesus Christ, (but now knew him), they existed in a state of slavery. This is actually the history of all of us who are believers. Before we chose to embrace Jesus Christ in faith we were slaves to "those who by nature are not gods."
The notion of being enslaved by "those who by nature are not gods" speaks to an irresistible influence in a person's life. We read of the freedom from slavery when we come to know Jesus Christ in Romans 6:14, a slavery to sin, "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." Here we read of slavery to "those who by nature are not gods."
In another place Paul speaks of "gods" that influenced people before they came to Christ, who were really not gods at all, "For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." 1 Corinthians 8:5-6.
These so-called "gods" were idols and false deities that were worshipped in an organized pursuit of spiritual darkness. Beyond personification, I also believe they were/are influences that impact unbelievers. Influences that emanate from the forces of darkness. All who do not know Jesus Christ march to a drummer. Unsaved people would like to think they are "independant", that they order their own lives in certain directions all on their own. Deceived, they fail to recognize that they are enslaved in lock-step with many others as they pursue the purposes of the spiritual forces of darkness.
Believers march to a different drummer. We are influenced by the Holy Spirit and find our lives are changing from within as the Holy Spirit indwells us. The reality is that mankind, all mankind, march to one drummer or the other (and there are only two drummers!) As our lives take direction, we find the expression of who we are influenced by: a slave to the forces of darkness or a child of God.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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