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What does the bible say? However if we look for the ‘made in God’s image’ in scripture, we find something particularly important. Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Taking these two scriptures together they are addressing our ‘old man’ versus our ‘new man’. In Colossians 3:10 we learn that our new man is renewed in the image of him that created him (us). Something happens to our ‘image of God’ that it is distorted by sin but the new birth giving us the new man somehow restores our ‘image of God’ back to something like its original form. From Ephesians 4:22 we can confirm that the old man of the flesh was corrupt through evil lusts and that our new man is created after (like) God is created in righteousness and true holiness. It seems that when we first sin that holy image of God that we bear is tarnished and cannot be restored to its original condition until we have put on the new man (see John 3:7), which is renewed after the image of the Creator. We could consider our repentance from sin (see 1 John 1:9) as a way of keeping our image of God in the proper condition that God desires? When God created man in his own image, he clearly meant man to be creatures of righteousness and true holiness. ¨Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: ¨15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: ¨16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Jesus Christ bears the perfect likeness of God , untainted nor spoiled by sin. Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father , Jesus replied how long have I been with you, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. We can summarise at this point by saying that man 'made in the image of God' is referring to God's character first and foremost, and that as He is righteous and holy then we as His image bearers ought to have the same character. Amen Prayer In Part 3 of this study we consider other scriptures that refer to the 'image'.

What does it mean? Modern atheistic scientists tell us that humans are in an unimportant species, found on an insignificant planet in an obscure part of the cosmos. On this approach what are the implications for a single human life? However this is not what the bible says nor what Christians believe. Wikipedia definition of 'image' ¨An image is a visual representation of something. An image can be a two-dimensional representation, such as a drawing, painting, or photograph, or a three-dimensional object, such as a carving or sculpture. Here is the first mention in scripture of the phrase 'made in the image of God'; Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” There is no clear consensus between theologians and philosophers on what the image of God (or its theological term ‘Imago dei’) might mean. Learned scholars of diverse types think the meaning of 'made in the image of God' might include: 1. Humans are like God in that we are spiritual and rational beings and exercise free-will choices. 2. Humans are like God in being able to form complex relationships. 3. Humans are like God in being able to perform functions e.g. managing the planet and its resources which in some way represent God on earth. All three views have their strengths and weaknesses but together might partly reflect the diverse ways that humans reflect the image of God. However we can get get a much clearer explanation of 'made in the image of God' by turning to scripture. Most times we find that it is best to let scripture interpret scripture (see part 2 of this study to see what the bible says about 'made in the image of God'). Amen Prayer

Romans 2:1-29 & 3:1-8 a short commentary Last time in Chapter 1:18-32 we saw that the wrath of God will be revealed against those who continue to suppress the truth about God and reject the evidence that God has placed in the creation, in the human conscience and in the hardening in sin of those who continue to reject Him. God’s wrath is not fickle but rather builds up over a long period of time. Continual rejection of God produces a downward spiral into total depravity. The spiritual darkness in a person’s heart leads to a mental darkness which in turn leads them into various forms of idolatry and corruption. At this stage God gives up on them so that they can indulge themselves in sexual immorality and begin to believe lies. God then gives up on them again and they begin to indulge in more shameful lusts. God then gives up on them again for the third and final time and mental depravity sets in which then produces some or all the twenty-one manifestations of evil in their lives. The only other evil left at this stage is that those who practice these evil manifestations begin to take pleasure in seeing other people also dishonour God and themselves in the same way. The major themes of the letter (chapters 1-3) focus on the wrath of God; Chapter 1:18-32 God’s wrath against (mainly) the Gentiles. Chapter 2:1-29 God’s wrath against the Jews Chapter 3:1-20 God’s wrath against all sinful men. God’s Righteous Judgment 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Whether we are a Jew or a Gentile we cannot take the higher moral ground if we are also committing some of the same 21 evils described in Chapter 1. The Jews in the Roman Church might well be thinking that they can look down on those idolatrous Gentile practices but without realising they tended to idolise their race and their self-life. This is reminiscent of what Jesus said about not trying to take the splinter from your brother’s eye whilst you have a beam in your own eye. If we are going to judge sin, then the safe place to start is with your own sins. Remember God wants obedience not to sacrifice. Paul has in mind the unbelieving but self-righteous Jews whose heart has not been converted. The final day of judgement will surely come. 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay everyone according to what they have done.” [1] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Paul is telling the unbelieving Jew’s that God’s wrath is in the pipeline and that day will surely come. God will repay everyone according to what they have done. This does not mean that those who have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ will lose their salvation but reminds us as believers that we have both responsibility and accountability to God for how we live during our lives. Paul then describes two large groups of people. Those who persist and persevere in doing what is right in God’s eyes will eventually receive a wonderful eternal reward and be in continual fellowship with Lord forever. Those who are filled with selfish ambition who reject God’s truth will be cast from the Great White Throne Judgement into Gehenna the eternal lake of fire and brimstone for everlasting conscious punishment. People in a sense choose which group they will finish up in. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favouritism. In creation God has given all people a moral instinct which can be distorted by habitual sin or even by cultural norms. God will judge people by the light they do have i.e. for the Jews by the Law and for the pagans the ‘unwritten’ laws of conscience and nature. It is God’s view that will prevail in the final judgement and not our own self evaluations. No human being will escape God’s final judgements. 12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. Here Paul clarifies what he meant in verses 6-11. Unrighteous Gentiles who did not know the Law will perish by ignoring the light they were given. He also makes it clear that the reading of hearing of the Mosaic Law by the Jews is not what counts but rather whether that Jew has endorsed and Law and tried to live by its precepts. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges everyone’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. The Gentiles have a sense of right and wrong in their consciences. When the Gentile does good things like treating his family with kindness, helps the poor and deals honestly then this shows his conscience is working properly to some degree. God has given all human minds such thoughts as are necessary to test our conscience. All these things such as men’s thoughts, words, actions, motives and what exactly God thinks of them will become clear on the day of judgement. The Jews and the Law 17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 f you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— The Jews were extremely privileged and more so than any other ethnic group but somehow, they did not seem to understand that having these privileges brought concomitant obligations. Many Jews simply wanted bragging rights about their position of privilege rather than using the scriptures to help the poor. They boasted because they were Jews and hence considered themselves better than anyone else. After all they were the chosen people! Did God choose the Jews because they were the best ethnic group? What Paul is saying and is probably ridiculing these Jews along the lines that if you call yourself a Jew and are instructed in the law of Moses and hence know God’s will and you are be able to clearly tell the difference between what matters and what is less important. Then you would also consider yourself a reliable guide to the spiritually blind, someone who could shed light to the spiritually darkened, someone who could instruct the unbelievers, and someone qualified to catechise children, and if you are so smart then why have you not realised that you need to begin to examine your own life. 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? Paul continues that they present themselves as a person living under God’s law and is even able to teach it to others encouraging others to be obedient to the law, then why is it that they do not practice what they preach? Their lives did not measure up to their doctrine. 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[1] When Jews pretended to be a light to those in darkness then this led to the Gentiles mocking and blaspheming God since He is the God of Israel. Paul now goes on to show who is a true Jew as opposed to a Jew in name only. 25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 If those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. Circumcision does not justify the Jew any more than the hearing of the Law. What really counts is being obedient to God’s word. A parallel today would be for us being baptised and partaking of communion but living in disobedience to God’s word. 28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. Paul shows that there are two different kinds of Jew; the ‘outward’ Jews who thought simply because they were circumcised, had heard the law and were of the seed of Abraham then these things would bring salvation to them. The ‘inward’ Jew is the true Jew whose heart has been circumcised (distances him from evil) and obeys God’s law. The outward Jew gets his praise from men. The inward Jew gets his approval from God. Romans 3 God’s Faithfulness 1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2Much in every way! First, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. Paul now asks if there is any benefit at all in being born into Israel in a broad sense. He answers his own rhetorical question, you better believe it since God gave to Israel and to no other nation or race, the wonderful and unique privilege of being the stewards of God’s word, His commandments, His prophecies and promises. Israel was meant to receive the revelation of these things and receive and obey them by faith and to spread their message to the other nations. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.’’ [2] Although some of the Jews will prove unfaithful God will always be faithful to His covenant promises to Israel. God is not a man that He should lie. Paul then quotes from Psalm 51 to prove his point. [3} 5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say— “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just! So if sinfulness shows God’s goodness in a better light, does this mean that God is being unfair for judging sinners who have in a sense ‘done Him a favour’? Why not just does all the evil you can so that God’s holiness will shine out even more? Perish the thought! People who say such perverse things do rightly deserve the punishment coming their way. [1] Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward everyone according to what they have done. [2] Isaiah 52:5 “And now what do I have here?” declares the LORD. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock’’ declares the LORD. “And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed. [3] Psalm 51:4b Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Full text for print and other chapters at https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/romans-2-1-29-3-1-8

How should we use love? Love as a weapon The concept of love as a weapon is not new as was used to significant effect by Martin Luther King; ‘’ Fifty thousand who took to heart the principle of nonviolence, who learned to fight for their rights with the weapon of love, and who, in the process, acquired a new estimate of their own human worth’’. God has provided each believer with protection for day to day life and this includes the whole armour of God which describes to us the revelations we need to incorporate into our lifestyles for us to be continually fully protected in our spiritual lives. The weapon known as the sword of the spirit is when we use God’s rhema word as weapon against temptation in its various forms and disguises. In the church life the weapon of love is displayed in our various actions such as forgiveness, kindness, tolerance, unity, and service (be addicted to service of the saints- tasso). Are we practicing these day by day? Love is a drug, but it is a good habit. John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” This is the acid test of our discipleship. Brotherly love is a great witness and highly reproductive. The weapon of love helps us to win people to Christ. 1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers,” Agape love is a sacrificial love. Romans 13:8“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law,” You owe me a debt of love and I owe you a debt of love, When we forgive each other in love it releases each other from the bondage of unforgiveness which is the breeding material for Satan’s destruction of our relationships. Love is all about giving and forgiving. Radical love -Loving our enemies Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, In any given situation if we can demonstrate God’s agape love then we will be wielding our most powerful weapon. Jesus tells us not to render evil for evil but do good to our abusers and tells us even to pray for them. King David fasted and prayed for his enemies. Pretty radical. Most times we struggle to fast and pray for a friend! In this life if we can keep showing love when people treat us badly then something must give and where we show longsuffering love it will break through albeit later than we had hoped for. Some ‘Dirty’ tactics The late Dutch woman and evangelist Corrie Ten Boom had to forgive a prison guard from Auschwitz where her father and sibling were murdered. She could only do this through the love of God. We need to act in love and just as importantly react in love. Corrie said this; You never so touch the ocean of God’s love as when you forgive and love your enemies: this is very challenging. Many years ago a neighbour whose marriage had broken up in the then recent past came to complain about my son hitting her son. We told her that we would investigate and get back to her. We sent our son over with chocolate biscuits for her, befriended her and were able to lead her and her son to Christ. Love is a powerful weapon Do not underestimate the power of even small kindnesses and ask God to show you how to do them every day in life. Many situations can be turned around by small kindnesses. A cup of cold water on a hot day, a bowl of warm soup on a cold night? The Love Weapon in our speech Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger How about telling a sibling you have had an argument with that ‘you love them with love of Lord and that you can see in them the glory of our King’!? It is hard to fight against such power because the love of God is active in it and will touch their heart! How to use the love weapon In the spiritual type of battle we often use the opposite spirit to defeat the enemy e.g. when someone forces us to go a mile, we go the extra mile. They are compelling us be we are submitting to them. If they ask for our tunic give them our cloak as well. They are demanding but we are compliant. When people are mean to us, we should be kind to them. Love is giving and love is forgiving. Matthew 5:40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. Walking in love, repentance, and forgiveness –some people have equated this to wearing the shoes of the gospel of peace- (among our weapons of spiritual warfare) and have suggested that this lifestyle is effective against curses, sickness, and hatred. Perhaps this is worth thinking about! In personality clashes with people when we respond in a godly way by showing love or forgiveness then this usually turns the situation around. Love is indeed a powerful weapon. When you want to hit them, hit them with weapons of love, forgiveness, and kindness! Conditional or unconditional- my opinion This love of God is unconditional in the sense that it does not look at who we are, where we have been or what we have done but focuses on what we will become when we are willing to be changed by the most powerful love of God. The ultimate victory of Jesus Christ’s victory over sin and death has the condition that we must believe it to receive the new birth with forgiveness of our sins and the inheriting eternal life. Wear your weapon of love and wield your weapon of love each day as a lifestyle Summary We need to ask the Lord to continue to pour out the Holy Spirit into our heart’s day by day so that the liquid love of God will flow through us producing fruit in our lives that can be tasted by those around us. Be continually filled with the spirit. We need to use this agape sacrificial love which is out most powerful weapon. We might need to 'fight dirty' to win hearts and minds and souls to achieve God’s purposes in our lives! Amen Prayer

Fight dirty-use God's love Question; is God’s love conditional or unconditional? We are all born with the need to love and to be loved. That is why love is such a big seller of songs, books, and movies etc. The saying that ‘Love makes the world go round’ is probably at least partly true theologically speaking in the sense that it is the love of God that keeps the whole creation in existence. In the English language 'love' has all sorts of different shades of meaning. For instance we say I love pineapple, I love my dog, I love my wife, or I love God. The depth of sentiment hopefully is not the same in these examples! The fact that there are distinct types of love can be illustrated by the four Greek words for love used in the New Testament era [1]: 1. Phileo; the love of a friend or a brother. 2. Storge; natural love like a mother’s love (for her child). 3. Eros; sexual love. 4. Agape; the love of God. The first three are types of human love and at best are only pale reflections of the agape love, the selfless love of God. When the believer is filled and moved by the love of God then they can surpass the human loves. An example might be, if a young man or woman with Christian parents is called to the mission field, the storge love of the parents might tempt them to dissuade their child. However, the agape love would overcome this and send them out with a blessing. The love of God is not indulgent and can be tough! There is a lovely revealing use of the two different words used in scripture for love i.e. agapeo and phileo in John 21:15-17. Jesus asks Peter if he loves (agapeo-selfless love) him twice but Peter answers with phileo (friendly or brotherly love). Jesus then uses Peter’s phileo when he asks a third time. The message is that agape love is a sacrificial love that is willing to lay down its very life for God. Agape (love) became the characteristic word of Christianity. The Holy Spirit brought new meaning to this word. Agape love is sacrificial and selfless and seeks to do good to all men but especially to our fellow believers. Where does this love come from? Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us Definition: To fight dirty means to use any means at your disposal to win in each conflict situation. In a physical fight it could be biting, gouging, head butting, a blow below the belt. Not observing the Marquis of Queensberry rules! Or using a weapon or anything else to hand! Fighting dirty has the connotation of doing ‘whatever its takes’ to win whether fair or unfair. What about our spiritual battles in situations or where all the negative person to person interactions place especially when the living stones rub together . Can the weapon of love be used in these circumstances? [1] CS Lewis The four loves The greatness of Love Definition of agape love: 1 Corinthians 13 is the Greatest Gift 4 Love suffers long and is kind ; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. The power of love Rom 8:37-39. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Love is the glue that holds us to God. Love is the glue that holds us to each other. We are stuck fast to God and each other! Clearly this agape type of love is indeed the most powerful thing in heaven and the cosmos that nothing, yes absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Amen Prayer In Part 2 we focus in in how might be used as a weapon and also give an opinion as to whether God’s love is conditional or unconditional?

Going the extra mile What is the most unfair thing that has ever happened to you? You might have been passed over for a job or promotion when you were best qualified or placed to get it. Your parents might have shown favouritism towards one of your brother or sisters e.g. Jacob/Joseph. Your husband or wife has let you down badly, or you might have been accused of something you never did by your family, neighbours or even the police leading to a false imprisonment. Personal testimony When I was a boy, my family were quite poor and did not have many valuables. However, one time my mother received a Churchill crown (a coin), considered to be valuable. When I was a young teenager my mother took me aside one day, and entrusted the Churchill crown to my safe keeping, I hid it in an old piece of furniture. I forgot all about it for several years, when the matter of the coin was raised at a family gathering, I could not account for it. I knew that I had not sold it or disposed of it, someone in the family must have taken it! I became the butt of family jokes, such as do not give anything to him to look after, look what happened to the Churchill crown! The stigma of an unjust accusation hung over me for many years until eventually a family member kindly gave me another Churchill crown. This experience helped me to identify partly (in a small way) with those suffering from injustice or unfairness. It is not a nice feeling, when you realize that you are being treated unfairly but we must handle unfairness or sense of injustice in a Godly way. Let us turn to God’s word to learn how to cope with unfairness and injustice. Definitions Unfair: is not fair, unjust, or not just, biased, prejudiced, contrary to rules of the game (or life). Matthew 5:38-45 God’s instructions on how to deal with unfairness or injustice. Verse 41; In every situation going the extra mile, there are two parties. The one is you (in your circumstance) we always assume the Christian will be one compelled are you forcing anyone to go the extra mile. Make sure you are the one being forced to go the extra mile and not the other party who is doing the forcing! 1 Corinthians 6:10 Extortion is demanding more of someone than is fair or necessary. Does your spouse always have to give in? Do you always insist on getting your own way? This is the sin of extortion which is forcing people to go or to give more than they are willing. Extortion is not just about money but making unfair demands on someone’s life with the threat of emotional blackmail. God's love never demands its own way. Love never is not selfish and self-seeking. Matthew 5:41 The act of love (by going an extra mile) defuses an act of selfishness. Love covers a multitude of sins. Jesus tells us if someone forces us to go one mile, then go with him two miles. Somehow this going the extra mile neutralizes the power of selfishness. 2 Timothy 3:12 The devil has a special form of unfairness called persecution through which he tempts the believer to be ashamed of being a Christian and with the goal of getting you turn away from God and his word. How did Jesus Christ handle his persecution and unfairness? Acts 8:32-33 (see also Isaiah 53:7-8) Humiliated and persecuted he did not even speak in his own defence. Jesus Christ would be tortured and killed, but because of his love for God the Father and his love for mankind he endured the ultimate injustice and unfairness and was silent like lamb before his shearers. He who was without sin, was made to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:31). God the Father did not spare God the Son from great suffering in his earthly ministry. It seems that for all Christians living Godly lives then we can expect persecution and unfairness will come. But, don’t despair, but count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance, and perseverance must develop so that you may become mature and complete, lacking nothing in your walk with God. God although allowing some injustice in our lives, never lets us be tempted above our measure when we are hurting through injustice. We can go to God and ask for judgement in the Old Testament sense, knowing that the judge of all the earth will do right. Psalm 7:8 Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteous, according to my integrity says the psalmist. God is the one who vindicates his people. Conclusion When unfairness comes, walk the extra mile, show love which disarms evil or selfishness and when the pressure gets too great, then call out to the judge of all the earth knowing that he will do right. Amen Prayer

Chapter 3:19-29 What was the Law for? 19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. This is talking about Moses. The Law as it were coming through a middleman whereas the promise was given directly from God to Abraham. The Law was delivered by the angels, but the Gospel by the Lord Himself. Hence, the Gospel is superior to the Law, as the word of a Lord is superior to the word of his servant. 20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. Here the Apostle briefly compares the two mediators: Moses and Christ. "A mediator," says Paul, "is not a mediator of one." He is necessarily a mediator of two: The offender and the offended. 21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. v19-25 So what is the purpose of the Law? The Law exposed our needs once and for all. It was given to show man what he was really like i.e. unable to keep the law and so reveal to him his great need for a Saviour. The law showed what God’s standards of morality and conduct were and we are unable to meet them. The Law was our teacher that taught the ABC of being in right standing with God. Was the Law a bad thing? no it has done its job for you and me by showing our need for repentance and turning to Jesus Christ. The law was given to Moses (acting as a mediator) through angels by God , but the promise was given directly to Abraham by God Himself. Thus in some way showing the superiority of the promise to the Law. A mediator is a friend that comes between two parties and is not to act merely with and for one of them. God is one party and sinful man is the other. 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. v26-29 The believers are no longer counted as servants but as sons of God who have an inheritance in the Father’s kingdom. Through baptism we have identified with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. so we die and rise again new creations in Christ Jesus. The Law made a difference between the Jew and Gentile , the slave, and the freeman but the promise brings all true believers together into the one standing before God as sons of the living God. Some people try to make this scripture try to say all sorts of things that it cannot mean. It clearly does not abolish human sexuality, male and female may be equal in value before God but not in responsibility and are certainly not interchangeable. Jesus Christ is an equal opportunity Saviour looking only at your heart not your race or culture. Belonging to Christ we are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise are therefore entitled to the great blessings and privileges of the promise. Summary It was always God’s position that man could only be justified by faith and that God accounted Abraham a righteous man who acted in faith. The Law was given to expose sin and sinfulness and was our teacher to teach the ABC of salvation that we are unable to keep the law and can only be saved through faith in the promised seed Jesus Christ. Through him we have become sons of God and can inherit all the great and precious promises of God. He will be our God We will be His people He will dwell with us Amen Your Prayer

Ch 3 :1-18 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. They had heard the one true Gospel, that Jesus Christ had been crucified for the sin of humankind, he died and was resurrected to the right hand of the Father, and everyone who believes in Him, shall be saved by faith in Him. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? This is a rhetorical question, we receive the Spirit by believing of course. 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? Usually it is only the true gospel that gets persecuted. 5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? When the dynamic of the Holy Spirit came to them, by faith, how could they even consider going back to a dead religion, Surely, they could see that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, occur where there is faith, but not where there is observance of the Law. Paul, now, takes them back to first principles. 6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Abraham never observed the Law. 7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The believers followed his example. 8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. This is very Good News. Shocking news. 10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." These curses include poverty, sickness, famine, want, shortage, confusion, defeat, terror, darkness, despair, and separation etc.; see all these curses in Deuteronomy 28. 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because "The righteous will live by faith." 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them.” The Law only offers life to those who completely obey it. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Jesus took it all on the cross that all believers might go free and receive the blessings of God not his curses. 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. This is the greatest blessing. 15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. v15-18 A covenant is a solemn and binding agreement in which two parties exchange vows or promises committing themselves to a joint relationship or venture. There may be penalties involved for breach of promise. What types of covenants do we enact in everyday life? Marriage and business contracts (mortgages etc.). So many marriages break up because people want to add new clauses to the deal or the vows that they made. For instance, to have and to hold until you get sick , or get made redundant, or until you meet someone else whom you prefer to your spouse, or until your lack of commitment , selfishness and self pity overwhelm you to the extent that you that you break the marriage covenant. Many business contracts now include penalty clauses to compensate for breach of contract. No sensible business deal will allow you to change the terms after the deal has been struck. In the same way God does not let anyone alter the conditions of his promise to Abraham fulfilled through his seed Jesus Christ, and passes through Jesus to us , to be changed nothing can be added or subtracted from the deal. Because we live in new testament times, we sometimes forget that the law came 430 years after God’s promise to Abraham and Paul is saying here that the law cannot alter the original covenant, deal, or promise. What was the promise? God's announcement of His plan of salvation and blessing to His people, one of the themes integrating the message of the Old and New Testaments. God's promise begins with a declaration by God; it covers God's plan for not just one race, but all the nations of the earth; and it focuses on the gifts and deeds that God will bestow on a few to benefit the many. Summary 3:1-18 We may define God's promise this way: the divine declaration or assurance was made to Abraham representing the whole nation of Israel and specified that: (1) He would be their God, (2) They would be His people, (3) He would dwell in their midst. Amen Your prayer

Chapter 2 Paul sorts out Peter Paul is still addressing his critics who compared his calling unfavourably to the apostles Peter, James, and John. The critics were a bunch of very vocal Jews, who believed that the Christians needed to believe in Jesus and keep the law of Moses. They were also known as the circumcision group. 2:1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. Paul is just letting them know that was he was neither dependent upon nor subordinate to the other main apostles. 2:2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. Paul uses great wisdom here, he goes straight to those who were the leaders of the Christian faith, to explain his version of the gospel to them. He was willing to be put to the test and was open to any criticism or correction by the apostles. He was not up for a public debate; this matter was to be resolved in private. 2:3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. Paul’s gospel and practice were the same, he did not command to be circumcised his gentile fellow ministers. 2:4 This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. They are still around, the legalists. We need to fight against both legalism and against liberalism. 2:5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. 6 As for those who seemed to be important--whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance--those men added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. 8 For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. Paul’s message and preaching was certainly both powerful and anointed and left the apostles with no other course of action, other than recognise Paul’s calling to preach the gospel to the gentiles. 2:9 James, Peter, and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. 11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Think of one of the best-known Christians in the world, Billy Graham or Reinhard Bonke, imagine God has sent you to give them a telling off! 2:12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? 15 “We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified (put in right standing with God) by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. We know that God accepts only those who have faith in Jesus Christ. No-one can please God by simply obeying the Law. So we have put our faith in Jesus Christ, and God has accepted us because of our faith. 2:17 “If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! When the Jews started looking for a way to please God, they discovered that they were sinners too. Does this mean that Christ is the one who makes us sinners? Definitely not! 2:18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. But if I tear down something and then rebuild it, all I prove was that I got it wrong the first time. 2:19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. It was the Law the law that killed me and freed me from its power, so that I could live for God. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I have died, but Christ lives in me, and I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" I will not turn my back on God’s undeserved kindness to me. If we could be saved by keeping the law, then it was useless for Christ to die for us. Summary Paul went up to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles. He was well received and his ministry to the Gentiles was recognised. None of his gentile companions were forced to be circumcised. When Peter needed correction about falling back under the Law, God sent Paul, to tell him off. Paul, exposed Peter’s hypocrisy in public. Paul begins to explain the differences between the Law and the Gospel. He concludes that if we can be saved by simply obeying the Law then Jesus Christ died for nothing. Amen Your Prayer For full text and access to other parts of Galatians please click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/lessons-from-galatians-part-2

The smallest faith (mustard seed) still works by love; so just do it! Faith in theory and faith in practice The Christian life begins with faith, continues in faith, and culminates in faith as we meet Our Maker. Faith is a particularly important principle in the Bible. Faith is where the promises and plans of God are brought into reality in the lives of His people. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) A. Ephesians 2:8-9, We are saved by faith. B. Rom. 1:17, We live by faith. C. Rom. 4:13, We receive righteousness by faith. D. Rom. 5:1, We are justified in Christ by faith E. Rom. 5:2, We have access to God's grace by faith. F. 2 Cor. 1:24, We stand firm in our belief by faith. G. Gal. 3:14, We receive the promise of the Spirit by faith. H. 1 Tim. 1:4, We do God's work by faith. I. Gal. 5:5, We wait for the return of Christ by faith. Indeed, faith is vital to the life of every believer. Amen Definition: Faith at an operational level is a simply a belief or trust in God and that if you feel he is calling you to do something then just do it. The classic biblical definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11 (whole chapter on faith) : 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible… Some years ago I had an interesting conversation with a friend who told me about a new book written by Annette Capps called 'quantum faith’ the book is available free on the internet as a .pdf file. The author had been doing a course in quantum physics and soon began to realise that the laws of quantum physics (which baffle many conventional physicists because subatomic particles e.g. quarks) do not obey the normal Newtonian laws of physics (such as the law of gravity). In the field of quantum physics it is thought that sub-atomic particles are surprisingly influenced by the person observing them or interacting in some way with them. We know from Hebrews 11 above that God created the whole Cosmos by speaking it into existence. This is a difficult concept for most of us to grasp. How can someone’s words have a creative power? Conventional physics cannot explain how this might work but however when we come into the realm of quantum physics then is a whole different ballgame. If sub-atomic particles can truly be influenced by those observing, then how much more would God’s word when spoken to them be likely to produce effects within and between them? Of course God Himself would have created those sub-atomic particles in the first place. How did Jesus walk on the water when conventional physics says He should have sunk under the water? So some other law was at play here, the law of faith. Jesus walked on the Word of God. The law of faith can transcend the law of gravity. Faith to bless and faith to curse Mark 11:20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. When was the last time you prayed something into or out of existence? What fruitless tree in your life needs cursed in faith? What mountain in your life needs removed and cast into the sea? We need to act on our beliefs in faith. Matthew 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. The normal physical laws of the universe can be overcome by the power of faith. If you think about it each act of faith has some sort of mechanism whereby the physical world is acted upon by the spiritual world. Interestingly when Jesus told the disciples they only needed a mustard seed of faith, he was using the best-known example of something small in those days. Today he might say faith, as the size of a quark (sub-atomic particle)! [1] Anyway whether we understand how faith works at a deep level there is nothing to stop us putting it into practice in everyday life. If God has told you to do something, simply be obedient to it. If you are not sure and take wise counsel from Christians, you trust. When was the last time you believed, you were going to receive something from God? Matthew 9:20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and if we reach out and touch Him in faith today, He is willing and able to let power flow from Him to you. Many people were pressing around Jesus and unintentionally touching Him, but we need to intentionally touch the hem of His garment believing that virtue or power will flow into our situation. Faith without works is dead and so we must make our faith in God work to bring in His Kingdom and to bring God’s love down onto the streets of our cities, towns, and villages. Our God-given faith is a mighty weapon to honour God with. Faith has power to bless, to curse and to move mountains. Let us honour our Abba Father by using our faith in His name and for His kingdom and glory. Amen Personal Prayer [1] Quantum Faith by Annette Capps

How can circumstances inform the will of God? Circumstances Circumstances and events will sometimes indicate God's direction for us. Paul wrote about such a circumstance in his life in 2 Corinthians 2:12, "Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord." Sometimes God opens the opportunity for making something possible, but at other times the door is firmly closed to us. Finances, family, church, travel regulations, health, world events can all be factors that facilitate or hinder the choices that we make. God wants us to be aware of our surroundings and circumstances. The are not the primary means of God talking to us, but they are however, crucial factors as we weigh up all the information. Phil. 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 1 Thes. 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Common Sense God has made us rational creatures (Gen 2:19-20). He has given us the ability to think, communicate, teach, and invent. We are intellectual beings with rational thought. This intellectual consciousness is what makes us unique. A number Christians believe that they have to stop thinking for themselves and let ‘God do their thinking for them’. God wants us to be down-to-earth common-sense people. Sadly common sense is not that common! Prov. 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Prov. 19:8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. he who cherishes understanding prospers. Does the proposed course of action glorify God? We are God’s ambassadors, and our lives should be a living representation of his nature and character. All too often people convince themselves that what they are doing is in the will of God. Most often than not in these situations God is not being glorified, they individuals are merely doing what makes them happy or brings attention to them. 1 Cor. 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Processing God’s Will God often reveals his will to us in two or three stages. Initially we may get a ‘sense of direction’ in our spirits. The next thing that we should do is to be praying over that matter to see of we ‘sense anything different’ (Luke 11:9-10 Ask, Seek and Knock). Often his word will bring further confirmation; perhaps a verse will standout and really grab our attention (Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet). Our friends and Christian leaders can be praying with us and advising us in the way we should be going. This kind of ‘searching’ is often much more beneficial to those who are really serious about ‘seeking God’s will’, it’s deliberate, well thought through and immersed in prayer and bible study. The alternative to this is a ‘quick flash in the pan’ idea that people rush into without thinking through the consequences of their actions. When God Doesn’t Speak? God does not always speak to us in a direct manner. Christians often feel that they must be doing something wrong, because God is speaking to everybody else apart from them. God primarily wants us to live a life of faith. It is a quiet confidence that God is wholly and completely in charge – He is sovereign. Hab. 3:17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. If we had all the answers and knew God’s will with pin-point accuracy then there would be no place for faith, because faith is being certain of what we do not see… Heb. 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Seeking is as important as finding God! Through the process of seeking, we are learning to wait upon him, to depend entirely on him and to trust in him. The most crucial factor in this process of waiting is that we learn to live a life that pleases God (Eph 5:10). Heb. 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. It help to remember that is God is always speaking to us through his creation, his word, and his Son. This may not always mean a specific word, but his always trying to communicate his wonder and his love to us. People often wonder what they should while they are waiting for a specific word of instruction from the lord. - Be faithful. - Be patient. - Be holy. - Be joyful. - Be consistent. - Be available. Amen Prayer This series of teachings was originally delivered as part of a 'Digging deeper' course by Pastor Paul Meiklejohn assisted by Charles Green. Any modifications to the original text were performed by the latter.

Offering your bodies as living sacrifices Holy and Pleasing to God Rom. 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing, and perfect will. These two verses are central to our pursuit of ‘knowing God’s will.’ Living Sacrifices: Living as disciples of Jesus often means living sacrificial lives. Jesus said, ‘take up your cross and follow me’ (Matt 16:24). Sacrificial living is costly and means preferring others more than we prefer ourselves (Rom 12:10). Sacrificial living is not easy, we often feel unappreciated and misunderstood. Holy: Peter says, ‘But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy (1 Peter 1:15:16).” God’s will be that we live holy lives (1 Thes 4:3). Consequently, living a life that is contrary to God’s standard is going to seriously impair our ability to actually hear God when he does reveal his will. Pleasing: The whole purpose of finding and doing the will of God is to please him (Col 1:10). All too often people want to know God’s will so that they will be happy themselves. Even Jesus surrendered his own pleasure in order to please his Father. Rom. 15:1-3 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbour for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” Conformity: The world is in darkness. When we refuse to conform, we reveal God’s light and expose their darkness (John 3:19-21). When we come to Christ we are to live with a new standard of purity and obedience (1 Peter 1:14). Transformation: ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Cor 5:17), we are to ‘put on the new self created to be like God in righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:23).’ We are to no longer live the way that we used to before coming to Christ; we are to be different – we are to be like Christ. Renewed Minds: Whatever is true, lovely, praiseworthy… (Phil 4:9) we are to think on those things instead. We are to set our minds on God (Col 3:2) and not on earthly things. Real change can only happen if we change our thinking, that is why we need to address this vital area of our lives. Once we have fulfilled these conditions then we will be able to test and approve what the will of God is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will. The Permissible Will of God 1 Cor. 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me” — but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” — but I will not be mastered by anything. There are many things that are permissible for Christians, but some things are better left alone. Paul mentions two areas in the Christian life that can easily entangle the believer: food and sex. These two areas can be used for good or for ill. Paul is saying that in his pursuit of God’s will he is not prepared to be mastered by anything – for Christ has set him free. There are things in life we are free to use at our discretion. What to wear, what to eat, what kind of music we prefer, films to watch at the cinema etc. If we do these things with thanksgiving, God will bless them. These are permissible choices. However, in our choice we must ask ourselves are they constructive for godliness. Clothes, music, media, and the arts can all master us unless we use them wisely. With choice comes responsibility before God. 1 Cor. 10:23 “Everything is permissible” — but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” — but not everything is constructive. Paul uses introduces another factor in helping us make good choices – the ‘weaker brother’. In 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 Paul says that even if something is perfectly acceptable, if it causes someone else to stumble in their faith, then we should be prepared to forfeit that for their sake. 1 Cor. 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Amen Personal Prayer In Part 7 we consider how we cant test the will of God.