Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

March 14: Deuteronomy 25-27; Galatians 5

Scripture: Galatians (NIV) 5:11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.

Observation: If Paul preached reliance on keeping the law, he would not be persecuted. But in preaching reliance on the cross of Christ, Paul is being persecuted. The cross is offensive, especially to the Jews. Offensive: because no one can take pride is how well they keep the law. Offensive: because they have to rely on someone who died like a criminal. Offensive: because it places no value on all their good works. Offensive: because it does away with 1500 years of tradition. Yes, it is offensive, but it is so glorious! It is God’s answer to a great dilemma! It answers how I, who have broken God’s holy law, could ever be accepted in His family. It answers how a holy God could ever be re-united with His sinful creation, who have all broken the laws, which are the expressions of His holy character, yet He loves them so dearly. What penalty would ever be sufficient to cover such an offence? Only what Jesus did on the cross!

Application: Like Paul says in Galatians 6:14, may my boasting, my glorying, never be in what I can do, but only in what Christ has done for me on the cross.

Prayer: Lord, may people easily recognize that I am not living in my own strength and depending on my own wisdom. I am depending on the work of Jesus on the cross and His Spirit that lives inside me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!