Tag: The Bible

Bible Studies

“Introduction” Let Freedom Ring: the book of Galatians

Loring Schultz

Read: Galatians 1:1-10 NLT – Greetings from Paul – This letter is – Bible Gateway

“This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.” Galatians 1:1 NLT

Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash

This week in Biblical Insights we begin a new series in the New Testament book of Galatians. Our opening verse tells us the apostle Paul authored this book which was actually a letter written to the churches in Galatia. These were churches Paul founded on his first missionary journey in cities throughout ancient Asia Minor. This is the only epistle Paul wrote addressing more than one city. Here he is addressing those in the Galatia region. The main theme in Paul’s letter to the Galatians is ‘justification by faith,’ which Paul preached when establishing these churches. There are no works involved for one to come to Christ but to accept His free gift of salvation. The purpose for writing to the Galatian churches was to correct false teaching that was being spread after Paul had left to continue his journey. These false teachers were agitators who did not like Paul and attacked him personally as not being qualified to preach let alone refer to himself as an apostle. They accused Paul of preaching a false gospel when he preach salvation by faith alone. The Judaizers, as they were called, were adding works and Jewish traditions to faith, and therefore distorting the gospel message of ‘salvation by grace through faith alone.’

The book of Galatians is sometimes referred to as the ‘Magna Charta of Christian Liberty’ or ‘Declaration of Independence of Christian liberty.’ Martin Luther called Galatians his ‘Catherine von Bora’ after his wife. He loved her and he loved the book of Galatians and said, “I am married to it,” as Luther was married to his wife. The central truth in the book is again, ‘man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ,’ nothing else is needed. This was the core of Luther’s ministry as well.

It was important to Paul but vital for the churches to recognize Paul’s apostleship. He claimed to be a direct appointee by Jesus Christ and God the Father. Paul’s message was serious, simple and to the point but he would speak it with authority. Paul needed to seen as a true apostle with  apostolic authority. His enemies did all they could to cast doubt on his credentials. So, Paul starts out by saying, “I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.” (Gal.1:1 nlt) Paul then gives them his greeting which will become his custom in the rest of his letters, “May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” (Gal.1:2 nlt) After his initial greetings Paul jumps right into the gospel message stating Jesus gave up His life voluntarily according to Father’s plan to save us from our sins.

The Galatian churches started well but it wasn’t long before Paul had heard how quickly how the Judaizers were persuading them to turn away from the true gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ is Good News as Paul preached. What the people in Galatia were now being taught in Paul’s absence, Paul says, “is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.” (Gal.1:7 nlt) The Judaizers were deliberately twisting or perverting the gospel by adding traditions of the law to it. Part of what was taught was a Christian needed to be circumcised in the Jewish tradition. They reasoned Jesus was a Jew and Christianity has its root in the Jewish religion of the Old Testament. This distorts the simple message of belief in Jesus by faith as all that is needed. Jesus Himself said to Nicodemus, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn.3:16 nlt) Jesus did not say anything else needed to be added, including good works to earn your way to heaven. No, only simple faith in Christ as your savior is all that is required.

This was such a serious issue for the churches in Galatia and for churches today in 2026 that Paul boldly states with authority, “Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.” (Gal.1:8 nlt) There is no other gospel. There is no other way. So many churches today are falling into the trap the early church fell into. People feel there needs to be something else, or good works to get them to heaven. Some are beginning to as we say ‘coexist’ and accept all religions as a way to get to heaven. You have had it said, ‘all roads lead to heaven.’ Well, what does Paul, who was appointed by Jesus as an apostle say? “I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.” (Gal.1:9 nlt)

Stone church marked “ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΓΑΛΑΤΑΣ” amid rolling hills and trees

This is serious business. If you believe the Bible is God’s Word you cannot possibly accept any other form of salvation. If you deny any part of the Bible referring to salvation or you add something, such as good deeds, or aligning with other religions of the world you are as Paul says of those who preach such things, ‘let that person be cursed.’ The word ‘cursed’ actually means ‘doomed to destruction.’ This all sounds frightening and it should, but beneath it all is the Good News Paul preaches about the love of God who sent His Son for us. Jesus Christ  provided the way for us, the only way.

Next week Paul explains his call to apostleship………

A Christian Perspective

Reformation Day: the righteous shall live by faith

Loring Schultz

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” Romans 1:17 ESV

Photo by Wim van ‘t Einde on Unsplash

October 31st is recognized around the world as Halloween or ‘All Hallows’ Eve.’ The meaning of ‘hallows’ is ‘saints’ in the Christian tradition, All Saints Day is November 1st. However, Halloween today is nothing about Christian saints and I will leave it there. Today is Reformation Day, the day celebrated by Christians in recognizing Martin Luther’s ‘95 Theses’ nailed to the University of Wittenberg’s chapel door in 1517.

Martin Luther was a German monk and a professor of biblical studies at the University of Wittenberg who became disillusioned with the error he saw in the Catholic church, particularly the selling of indulgences. He posted his ‘95 Theses’ to spark conversation and debate among his colleagues calling for reform in the Catholic church. This, however, led to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.

Luther was convinced through the reading of Scripture that salvation was by the grace of God alone and faith alone in Jesus Christ. It was not by any merit or works on our part that contributes to salvation and entrance into heaven. This was in contradiction to what he had observed within the church. Luther was also a staunch believer that every person should have access to the Bible and be able to read it for themselves. He had translated the entire Bible into German.

Stephen Nichols formerly of Ligonier Ministries writes, “The real main character in Reformation Day is not Luther. It’s the Word of God. What Luther discovered as a monk is that for centuries, the true teachings of the Word of God had been hidden by century upon century of tradition. That’s what Reformation Day is about: it’s about pulling back the cover and releasing the power of the Word of God and the beauty and the truth of the gospel. That’s why we celebrate Reformation Day.” (1)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

(1) What Is Reformation Day? | Ligonier Ministries

Devotionals

Be infants in evil not in your thinking

Loring Schultz

“Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.” 1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

An innocent baby knows nothing of the evil in the world today. Soon enough that little one will realize this is a fallen world into which they were born. But there is something about that innocence that protects them from evil in their early years. They do not know evil exists and they are not being capable to think about it or get involved with it. As adults we have lost that innocence long ago, but there is a time to go back to that way of thinking.

The apostle Paul was writing to the troubled church in Corinth knowing they lacked wisdom and had a difficult time recognizing evil. He wrote to them, “do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil.” (1Cor.14:20 esv) Their thinking was misdirected and immature. Evil was having an effect on them. They were allowing evil to influence their lives by not thinking as mature adults as to its danger. Paul’s readers were acting as children, not infants, in rationalizing the effects of sin and evil. Paul encouraged them to think in a mature manner.

Today mature thinking is not only needed but essential in every Christian’s life. As adults we now know that evil is around us. To be infants in evil is for it to have no effect on us. In order for evil to have no effect on us we need to be mature in all our thinking. Mature thinking in the ways of God and proper Christian living come about by constant prayer and reading His Word. Living in a sinful world will have some sort of effect on us, but it is an indirect effect. What we do not want is for it to affect us in a way that we engage in it. Let our thinking be mature.

Devotionals

In All Points Tempted

Loring Schultz

Read: Matthew 4:3-11 NKJV – Now when the tempter came to Him, he – Bible Gateway

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Matthew 4:1 NKJV

Photo by Laura Baker on Unsplash

Have you ever felt tested by the Lord? Have you experienced something that is going on in your life driven by a divine nature? Is this a test you ask yourself, more precisely is this a test from God Himself? There are times in our lives where the Lord will test us, never tempt us, but He will surely test us. The results of our testing is either a pass or fail grade. God does not grade on a curve or allow for extra credit for going over and above what He requires of us, our faithfulness. So how are you doing when tested? Do you pass each test with excellence, or do you fail miserably or even miss it by the skin of your teeth? How can you live in faithfulness to God throughout all your trials and testing in your life, even those of a divine nature by the Holy One.

In Matthew chapter 4, we read the account of the temptation of Jesus by the devil. As previously mentioned, God will never tempt us, but the devil certainly will. What is noticeable is the fact that “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Mt.4:1 nkjv) Jesus was indeed tempted by the devil, but it was through the leading of the Spirit that Jesus submitted to a forty day and forty night’s stay in the wilderness. Jesus being tempted by the devil for forty days without food or drink is presented with three more challenging temptations. It is through these last three temptations, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life that Jesus “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb.4:15 nkjv)

We may find it hard to understand how Jesus was tempted in every way we are today. How could He be tempted in the same way? We find the answer in He is fully God and also fully man. The temptations were real. He withstood every one of them by relying on the Word of God.

We are never beyond being tempted in our world. The devil and his cohorts are active and pursuing. In all our temptations we are to look to the Word of God. Let us not confuse the testing of God with the temptation of the evil one, but to understanding the Lord’s desire to lead us to faithfulness and all righteousness. May we look to our example Jesus Christ who being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, overcame ‘in all points tempted.’ .

Bible Studies

The Story of Ruth the Moabitess: Part 6      

Loring Schultz

Read: Ruth 4:13-22 NLT – The Descendants of Boaz – So Boaz took – Bible Gateway

“This is the genealogical record of their ancestor Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz. Boaz was the father of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David.” Ruth 4:18-22 NLT

Smiling couple holding a laughing baby in a rustic stone home

When we began our look at the book of Ruth six weeks ago it was noted that the story of Ruth is much more than her story. Ruth is an Old Testament book having three major theological themes. God’s redemption plan is for both Jews and Gentiles. God’s sovereignty and providential care, and Boaz, Ruth’s kinsman redeemer, as a type of Christ. Redemption being the key word is found over twenty times in various forms throughout the book. Boaz was Ruth’s kinsman redeemer who married her and restored the land of her late husband and preserved the family line in her husband’s name. God not only provided for Ruth but also for her mother-in-law, Naomi, through Boaz. But the most important underlying theme of the book is God’s redemption plan of salvation that came through His Son Jesus, a descendant of Ruth and Boaz.

“So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the LORD enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son.” (Ruth 4:13 nlt) The Lord bless Ruth and Boaz for their faithfulness to Him. Ruth became a convert and trusted in the true God of Israel and Boaz fulfilled his obligation of Ruth’s kinsman redeemer. A son was born to them. It was a happy beginning for them both and a happy ending for Naomi. It was also noted in the beginning of our study that Naomi could be considered the main character. She is just as important in this story as Ruth and Boaz. The theological theme of God’s sovereignty and providential care is seen in Naomi’s well-being. The family name will go on, the land was restored, and there will be grandchildren to help support Naomi in her old age. In returning to Bethlehem after her stay in Moab Naomi said to her friends, “I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty.” (Ruth 1:21 nlt) The Lord God watched over her and now she is full once again. The Lord brought her from emptiness to fullness.

Concerning the child born the women said, “May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” (Ruth 4:15 nlt) The women named him Obed which means ‘a servant who worships.’ This is the only time in Scripture where someone other than the parents or family have ever named a child. Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of King David. Scripture is clear that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David and would be called the Son of David.

God had this all planned in His sovereignty. God uses those who He chooses for His own purposes. There are both Jews and Gentiles listed in the genealogy of the Messiah. This shows salvation is open to all people who accept Christ as savior. Jesus came to redeem all people, both Jew and Gentile. (Gentile meaning anyone not Jewish) Jesus came for all people. In God’s kingdom there will be representatives from every nation, of every language, and every ethnicity and race. This is part of the story of Ruth the Moabitess, born as a gentile woman in a heathen nation, Ruth went on to trust God having faith in Him proving salvation is open to all people.

Finally, Boaz is seen as a type of Christ in our story. Boaz redeemed Ruth. She became his bride and married her. Jesus redeems those who accept Him as savior and Christians become the bride of Christ. And there will be a day when the wedding will take place. “Let us be glad and rejoice and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear. For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.” (Rev.19:7-8 nlt)

There are many things to glean from the book of Ruth, the story of Ruth the Moabitess. Just as Ruth gleaned the grain that had fallen there is plenty for us to feast on when we read the Bible but let us pay attention to what is intentionally pulled out as Boaz’s men pulled out extra grain for Ruth. The entire Bible is about Jesus Christ and God’s plan of redemption. Every book has additional grain to be pulled out and noticed about Christ. May the book of Ruth be good training ground for us to see Christ as we read all of Scripture.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com
Devotionals

In the beginning, God

Loring Schultz

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 NKJV

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

Everything has a beginning; your life, a relationship, a new year, a new school year, a semester, a job, an idea leading to a new consumer product, even this devotional. Everything has a beginning to point to. The most recognizable quote of a beginning is in the Bible in Genesis 1:1 which says, “In the  beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The earth and all of the universe had a beginning. There was a time when the universe did not exist but then came into being. This view is to be understood as God creating everything in the beginning, in the beginning of our time.

Our time began when God created man in His image, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Gen.1:27 nkjv) We had a beginning. God created us. But God had no beginning. He always was. This is hard to understand  and truthfully, I would not even try, we need to accept it by faith. God in a true sense is the beginning although He never began. He is God. Everything that has ever come into being is from His hand (figuratively) and His voice as God spoke the universe into existence.

Another amazing fact that is hard to comprehend is God had us in mind with our lives planned out for us ‘in the beginning’ before He created. God knew we would fall into sin and need a savior redeemer. He had that planned also. To show us the way, God gave us the Holy Scriptures written by men through the power of the Holy Spirit. The whole Bible speaks of God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Do not think you do not need to wait until you get to the New Testament to hear the good news of a coming savior, it is all in the Old Testament. In fact, ‘in the beginning’ of the Scriptures, God tells us all we need to know about His plan of salvation through the first five books known as the Pentateuch, the book of Moses. It’s all there ‘in the beginning.’

Devotionals

The Book of Moses        

Loring Schultz

Read: John 5:39-47 NLT – “You search the Scriptures because – Bible Gateway

“If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.” John 5:46 NLT

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

The first five books of the Bible are known as ‘The Pentateuch’ meaning in the Greek ‘five books.’ It is referred to as ‘The Torah’ (law) in the Hebrew Bible. Moses is the human author for these collection of five books, therefore, the name ‘Book of Moses’ is appropriate. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy  run consecutively in historical sequence picking up where the previous book left off. It is like a miniseries streaming on your favorite streaming service. You can binge read this series the same as you would binge watch Netflix.

The Pentateuch, Torah, (book of the Law) was extremely important to the Jewish people especially in Jesus’ day. For centuries this was Israel’s only Scripture. It covers Israel’s relationship as God’s chosen people and fulfills God’s promises to Abraham in the book of Genesis. “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.’” (Gen.12:1-13 nlt)

Abraham’s descendants became a great nation. Israel has been a blessing to others. Every family on earth is blessed by the birth of Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham as described by Paul in Galatians. “What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’” (3:8 nlt)  

The bottom line is the ‘Book of Moses’ is for both Jews and Christians. It shows the way to a right relationship with God for Old Testament believers and Christians and Jews today are shown that same way to God through Christ Jesus from the ‘Book of Moses.’

Devotionals

Food for the Journey

Loring Schultz

“……I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” Matthew 15:32b NLT

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

I am sure we have all heard the expression, ‘life is a journey.’ Indeed, it is. Curiously though no two people are on the exact same path in life. There may be similarities, but just as everyone is unique in their own way, their journey in life follows the course planned out for them. And for the Christian, the Lord had your life journey drawn up before you were even conceived in your mother’s womb. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Ps.139:16 nlt)

Throughout our journey in life, we need subsistence to sustain us. We need a daily intake of food to nourish us to survive our physical life, and we need a daily intake of spiritual food to survive in our spiritual life while on this earth. During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He had two occasions where He provided food for thousands of people as they were coming to Him for healing and to hear His teaching. Jesus had compassion for the people giving them both physical and spiritual food. He did not want to send the crowds away hungry because they might faint along the way.

Our Lord Jesus has the same compassion for us in our spiritual walk with Him. He does not want us to faint along the way in our life journey. He provides us with food to sustain our spiritual growth through His Word. As we have our quite time with Him, through our devotions, prayer, and Bible reading we can rest assured that we will not go away hungry. Make sure you put in the effort to get your daily spiritual nourishment for the journey. Jesus does not want to send you away hungry.

Devotionals

Are you growing in Christ?                

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT – Paul and Apollos, Servants of Christ – Bible Gateway

“I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready.” 1 Corinthians 3:2 NLT

Photo by Debra Brewster on Unsplash
     

Our church family has been blessed over the last year with newborn babies now in our presence. These young parents have enormous responsibilities in the care of their children. One of the first and most important is the nutrition their baby receives in those early years. Milk, of course, is on the top of the list, but as the child grows a more substantial diet is required for proper and healthy growth. Newborn babies need the required nutrition in their early years and then must move up to an even more nutritionally driven diet.

The same is true for new believers, newborn babes in Christ. They need the milk of the Word in those early years. But there comes a time when milk is not enough and if not moved up to solid food or what is known as the ‘meat’ of the Word, the newborn babe in Christ remains a newborn babe. The Lord did not save us to remain children all our lives. Yes, Christians are the children of God and He is our Father, but even adult children are still their parents children.

If you have had a steady diet of milk in your Christian walk it is time to experience some tasty food of the Word of God. Milk will sustain you, but meat, potatoes, and vegetables of the Word of God will cause a growth spurt that will amaze you. A steady diet of Bible reading, devotional time and prayer, regular church attendance, and being active in church and community activities are the nutrition and spiritual exercise needed to ensure you are growing in Christ. So, time to dig in!

Devotionals

Nothing Lasts Forever; Wrong!         

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Peter 1:21-25 NLT – Through Christ you have come to trust – Bible Gateway

“For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23 NLT

We have all heard ‘nothing lasts forever’ and ‘all good things must come to an end.’ The problem with those sayings is our agreement with them. Sure, a dream vacation ends too quickly, your favorite team missed the playoffs (again), your favorite childhood amusement park was torn down, old friendships fade away, and they are many other examples I could think of and you can as well. All good things do not always come to end, but then again they do not last forever either. But there are two things that are guaranteed to last forever, your new life in Christ and the Word of God.

Peter, the apostle, was addressing the early Christians of the first century in his letter of 1 Peter. They were living in days very much like ours. Their society was hostile towards Christianity but accepting of other pagan religions. There was persecution among believers from neighbors and the authorities leading to social ostracism. Yet, Peter had some encouraging words for these dishearten Christians. They were cleansed from their sins having been born again to a new life that will never end.

So you see all good things do not come to an end. Christians can rejoice that their salvation is secure and everlasting. Our new life is eternal. It will last forever, meaning there is no end. And we also have that guarantee from the very living Word of God itself which ‘remains forever.’ (v.25) If you truly desire something that will last forever guaranteed, there are only two things, the Word of God through which you will meet Jesus, your savior providing you with life never ending.