Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Paul – Galatians
An Intimate Review
Pt 2 - Be Not Bewitched from the Faith of Jesus Christ
By Lawrence DeMetrius

In [Gal 4:19] Apostle Paul chastens his spiritual children for allowing themselves to be BEWITCHED with elements of religious legalism instead of remaining true to the FAITH of Jesus Christ.

* bewitched Gk #940 baskaino (bas-kah-ee-no) it means to malign, which means to speak to with harmful untruths, speak evil of, slander, defame and fascinate by false representations

The Galatian Christians did not need another GOSPEL, just as Adam and Eve did not need the erroneous translation or interpretation of Yahweh’s Word in Eden. However, Eve permitted Lucifer to trick her when he came to her in the likeness of a creature that was considered GOOD, as was all creation in her day. This is the same stratagem satanic forces use today. They come fashioned as friendly advisors and guides. [Gen 2:9, 17; 3:1-6] Jesus likens them to wolves in sheep’s clothing. [Mt 7:15] Apostle Paul coins them devils camouflaged as Apostles of Christ and Messengers of Light. [II Cor 11:13-15] In this passage, Apostle Paul reiterates that no one is justified by performance of religious rituals but by FAITH IN Christ as well as the FAITH OF Christ. [Gal 3:11, 13, 22] Upon redemption, every born-again believer is eligible to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. [Gal 3:14; Jn 7:37-39; Rm 8:14-17] Apostle Paul explains that The Mosaic Law and rituals thereof served to temporary address sin. He explains that FAITH in Yahweh’s WORD has always been what invoked divine favor. [Gal 3:16-19, 22, 23; I Jn 5:1-3] Faith filled obedience to the Word of THE LORD is what regenerates the mortal spirit, makes one an heir of Yahweh and liberates them from vain religiosities including that of Judaism. [Gal 3:24-29] With this in mind the Elect of GOD are never to permit themselves to be BEWITCHED by forces that seek to sway them from divine FAITH. [Pro 3:5-5-7; Dan 12:3, 10; Mt 7:15-21; 24:5, 11, 24] In [Gal Chps 4 and 5] Apostle Paul likens The Mosaic Law to a schoolmaster in relation to Israel. However, in keeping HIS promise to Abraham, Yahweh first invited the nation of Israel to receive redemption through Christ. HE then extended it to all nations for which it was ultimately purposed.
Apostle Paul resolves that obligation to religious rituals become void when Christ is revealed within one’s heart. [Gal 1:16] There is no respect of persons with Yahweh. HE wants all nations to clearly understand that HE loves all of them equally. [Gal 3:26-29; Rm 2:11] Abram and Sarai were Syrians who were natives of Ur, Chaldea. [Gen 11:27-32; Deut 26:5] Melchizedek the first recorded High Priest of Yahweh was a Canaanite and King of Salem, Jebu, which later became Bethlehem, Israel. Apostle Paul reminds the Galatian Christians that while they were not of Hebrew descent, they were redeemed people of GOD through Christ and were no longer obligated to perform vain religious rituals of their former pagan religions nor of Judaism. He then gave historical details as to why practicing rituals of Judaism was not necessary to become a born-again Christian. [Gal 4:8, 9, 21-31; 5:1-3; Jn 8:31, 32, 36; I Jn 5:4] He admonished them to remain liberated from all forms of vain religiosities by maintaining their allegiance to Christ and His Gospel writing,

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
[Gal 5:1]

The primary issue at the time was circumcision and whether or not it was necessary for one to become a Christian. CIRCUMCISION was an example of the weak and beggarly elements of Judaism. The term JEW was allocated to anyone who practiced Judaism regardless of their nationality. Those who were not of Hebrew descent but adopted Yahweh worship Judaism were called PROSYLITES. [Mt 23:15; Acts 2:10; 6:5; 13:43]

*proselyte Gk #4339 proselutos (pros-ay-loo-tos) it is an arriver from a foreign region and specifically a convert to Judaism

Israel was known as the place where all nations could go to learn about Yahweh and how to worship HIM. Therefore, Israel was renowned for being the place where one can come to inquire of Yahweh in HIS House of Prayer for All People. [Isa 56:6-8] In [Gal 5:4-15] Apostle Paul teaches that vain religiosity causes one to fall from divine grace. Vain religiosities and those who teach them, can invoke strife amongst born-again believers. Apostle Paul expressed that such influences should be CUT OFF from Christian fellowship.

*cut off Gk #609 apokopto (ap-ok-op-to) it means to mutilate the privy parts or amputate, which is to prune and lop off which is to cut off branches and twigs from a tree or other plant, limb, part or the like from a person or animal as by surgery, eliminate as unnecessary and excessive and to remove

Christ teaches that Yahweh is the husbandman of HIS vineyard of exclusive worshipers. HE is constantly CUTTING OFF parts that do not generate fruit that is pleasing to HIM. [Jn 15:1-5] Christ advises that false Christian teachers among His brethren can be identified by their fruit, meaning their innate character, conduct and speech. [Mt 7:15-21] Once marked, they should be CUT OFF from amongst Christian assemblies. In expressing his disdain for those who TROUBLE the Elect with vain religiosities, Apostle Paul admonishes Christians to maintain their LIBERTY in Christ by SERVING one another with genuine LOVE, which is right doing writing,

For, brethren, ye have been CALLED unto LIBERTY; only use not LIBERTY for an OCCASION to the FLESH, but by LOVE SERVE one another. For all THE LAW is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt LOVE thy NEIGHBOR as thyself.
[Gal 5:13, 14]

Yahweh expects born-again believers to operate in genuine LOVE and not vain religiosity, especially that which fosters STRIFE and HURT amongst themselves. Christ teaches that the expression of genuine LOVE amongst His brethren proves who they are to the WORLD. [Jn 13:34, 35]

*called Gk #2564 kaleo (kal-eh-o) it means to call aloud

*liberty Gk #1657 eleutheria (el-yoo-ther-ee-ah) it is legitimate, moral and ceremonial freedom

*flesh Gk #4561 sarx (sarx) it is…
• flesh as stripped of the skin and strictly the meat of an animal as food
• the body as opposed to the soul or spirit
• the symbol of what is external
• the means of kindred
• human nature with its physical and moral frailties and passions and human beings as such
*occasion Gk #874 aphorme (af-or-may) it is a starting point and opportunity

*love (1 noun) Gk #26 agape (ag-ah-pay) it is affection, benevolence and a love-feast or feast of charity [Gal 5:13]

*serve Gk #1398 douleuo (dool-yoo-o) it means to voluntarily or involuntarily be a slave to

*word Gk #4487 rhema (hray-mah) it is an utterance and matter or topic, especially of narration, command and dispute

*love (2 verb) Gk #25 agapao (ag-ap-ah-o) it means to love in a social and moral sense [Gal 5:14]

*neighbor Gk #4139 plesion (play-see-on) it is a friend (close or nearby), fellow man, countryman or Christian

In [Gal 5:15, 16] Apostle Paul gives counsel that would aid in keeping Christians from free CONSUMING one another, per unrighteous judgments invoked by idealisms being taught by false Christian teachers.

*consume Gk #355 analisko (an-al-is-ko) it means to use up and destroy

CONSUMPTION of true Christians and sinners alike, is the work of satanic powers is exercised through anti-Christ teachers and doctrines. [Jn 10:10; I Jn 3:8] The Elect are to avoid ill judgment of others. They are also advised not to permit the ill judgement of others to negatively affect their self-perception or co-perception of themselves as children of GOD. [Mt 7:1-5; Rm 14:10, 13; I Cor 4:5; II Cor 5:10] They are to mark and shun all devils, especially those who pretend to be messengers of Jesus Christ. [Jn 7:24]

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