Welcome to Whitestone Christian Fellowship's Facebook Page. This holiday weekend in the USA, is truly all about the freedoms that God has created for believers everywhere. We can be Christians in any country, becuase it's an issue of the heart. Faith in God frees us from reliance on man, or any human government. Faith supercedes any ability of human beings, everywhere. God the Most High is more than able to provide for our needs. And sometimes He even uses human governments to do just that. We will give Him glory for whatever means He uses to supply for His children.
Today we finish the third chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians. The topic is still the Law vs. Faith, and how fickle humans can be.
The Apostle Paul eriterates his frustration for how easily the Galatian churches have been duped by those who were still caught up in the man-made Laws of the Jews. Paul urges Believers to come to Christ in Faith, and faith alone.
Colossians 1 & 2, aand Hebrews 11 are perfect companion readings to the Galatian Epistle.
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For the full audio portion of the teaching, join us on the church webstite: www.whitestonecf.com later in the week.
Our apologies for the delay; our webmaster is commuting between two locaations each week. Hopefully, this will be resolved a soon as possible.
En Agape',
Pastor Bob
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Reading: Genesis 20:9-13
Message: Galatians 3:13-29 “ Legal Troubles ”
Bobservations -
Inherent within The Law is a problem that is (nearly) insurmountable. While the Law adds some substance to the Jewish faith, it also masks true faith. The Abrahamic Covenant is integral with the Jewish faith. It is impossible to separate the two, but not because the Law has added anything to God’s promises. It puts demands on the relationship that God’s love does not!
We must remember the Abrahamic Covenant, like all of the covenants of the Old Testament, is all about God’s faithful relationship with the Jewish nation. God gave us His 10 commandments, and His love; this is provision!
We can argue that the Law is good for mankind, but it was not part of the Covenant. A good reminder of this is God’s provision and supply in the Garden of Eden: Two trees, don’t eat the fruit of the one. Everything Adam and Eve needed was provided by God. But when Satan came crawling, he put doubt in Eve’s mind, and she responded, “Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it lest you die.” But, God never said it could not be touched.
We understand that adding to God’s word was wrong, but from man’s point of view, Eve's words were meant to keep them away from the temptation to taste of that fruit. A scary consequence was already included in God’s word to keep the first couple away from the fruit of that tree. Man’s understanding of God’s provision was fine tuned. Not everything around us is good to eat! In this case, the Law is good! Adding to His Word adds a layer of protection for man, but adds nothing to God’s Promise, and adherence to this “law” becomes a “good work.”
So, while the Law is good, does it put stipulations on God’s promises? Is not God forgiving? Are His mercies not new every morning? If we break this man-made Law, will God not still be faithful to His promises to us? And now, we see why God told Adam that “The Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” was deadly to mankind, because it creates an unnecessary layer of human responsibility, hindering a pure faith in God alone.
~ Revelation 22:18(b) ~
“…If any man shall add to these things, God shall add
unto him the plagues that are written in this book.”
