The Cure for the The Cure for the Galatian ErrorGalatian Error

Gal 3:1 and Occupation Gal 3:1 and Occupation with the Person of with the Person of

ChristChrist

Review: Faith in the Spiritual LifeReview: Faith in the Spiritual LifeGal 2:19-20: Gal 2:19-20: 19 19 For (strengthens v17)For (strengthens v17)

II through the Law to the Law through the Law to the Law died (aorist)died (aorist)in order that in order that I live (aorist)I live (aorist) to God!to God!

I have been crucified together (perfect) I have been crucified together (perfect) with Christwith Christ20 20 So (advances)So (advances) II am am not still not still living (present)living (present)

In fact (advances further) In fact (advances further) Christ is livingChrist is living (present) in me (present) in meFurthermore (advances further) Furthermore (advances further) the the lifelife II now now am living (present) am living (present) in the flesh in the flesh I am living (present)I am living (present)

in the sphere of faith, in the sphere of faith, which is in the Son of God, which is in the Son of God, Who loved me Who loved me

and and gave Himself over as a gave Himself over as a substitute for me. substitute for me.

The Key is FOCUS: The Key is FOCUS: “Watch your eyes”“Watch your eyes”

3:1: O foolish Galatians! 3:1: O foolish Galatians!

WhoWho has bewitched has bewitched youyou??

To whom To whom before before your your eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as as having been crucified in the past with continuing results in the having been crucified in the past with continuing results in the present.present.

Where are you looking?Where are you looking?1.1. Every downfall of a believer or group of believers in the Every downfall of a believer or group of believers in the

book of Galatians has to do with loss of focus.book of Galatians has to do with loss of focus.2.2. The object of our focus IS NOT OTHER PEOPLE. The object of our focus IS NOT OTHER PEOPLE. 3.3. Peter’s focus was other people in Gal 2:10-20. Peter’s focus was other people in Gal 2:10-20.

a.a. He probably first focused on the Antiochene Gentile believers.He probably first focused on the Antiochene Gentile believers.b.b. He became fixated at the legalistic Jewish believers from He became fixated at the legalistic Jewish believers from

Jerusalem. Gal 2:12Jerusalem. Gal 2:12c.c. He should have been focused on the Lord Jesus Christ.He should have been focused on the Lord Jesus Christ.

4.4. The Galatians have now gotten their eyes OFF of Jesus The Galatians have now gotten their eyes OFF of Jesus Christ and onto humans who are trying to “bewitch” them.Christ and onto humans who are trying to “bewitch” them.

5.5. The protection of your soul from the wiles of the Devil, his The protection of your soul from the wiles of the Devil, his Kosmos, and the urgings of the flesh is occupation with Kosmos, and the urgings of the flesh is occupation with Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ.

6.6. What does that phrase mean? Occupation with the Person What does that phrase mean? Occupation with the Person of Christ?of Christ?

Summary of the DoctrineSummary of the DoctrineOf Occupation with Jesus ChristOf Occupation with Jesus Christ

I.I. What it isWhat it is

II.II. What it doesWhat it does

III.III. How you get itHow you get it

IV.IV. What it isn’tWhat it isn’t

V.V. Why you don’t have itWhy you don’t have it

VI.VI. How you apply itHow you apply it

Occupation with Christ:Occupation with Christ:I. What it isI. What it is

1.1. It means in Gal 2:20 that you are It means in Gal 2:20 that you are trustingtrusting the Lord Jesus the Lord Jesus Christ in all aspects of your life.Christ in all aspects of your life.

2.2. It means that you are thinking about WHAT He has done It means that you are thinking about WHAT He has done for you at the Cross. Gal 2:20for you at the Cross. Gal 2:20

3.3. It means that you are remembering WHY He died for you. It means that you are remembering WHY He died for you. Gal 2:20Gal 2:20

4.4. It means that every challenge, every worry, every threat, It means that every challenge, every worry, every threat, every insult, every temptation is immediately rejected in every insult, every temptation is immediately rejected in your soul because you are already concentrating on the your soul because you are already concentrating on the Lord Jesus Christ.Lord Jesus Christ.

5.5. It means that as you think on His Work and Love for you, It means that as you think on His Work and Love for you, you view your life from those results.you view your life from those results.

6.6. It means to grow in Grace and knowledge of our LORD It means to grow in Grace and knowledge of our LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, 2 Pet 3:18.AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, 2 Pet 3:18.

These Add up to LOVEThese Add up to LOVE

1 Pet 1:8-9 1 Pet 1:8-9

8  and though you have not seen Him, you love 8  and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9  obtaining as inexpressible and full of glory, 9  obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. souls.

These Add up to LOVEThese Add up to LOVE

1 Pet 1:8-91 Pet 1:8-9

Whom (JESUS CHRIST) even though (you did) Whom (JESUS CHRIST) even though (you did) not behold, not behold, you love you love

Into Whom now not seeing but believing Into Whom now not seeing but believing you you greatly rejoicegreatly rejoice with happiness that is with happiness that is inexpressible and glorified inexpressible and glorified

99because of obtaining the goal of your faith, because of obtaining the goal of your faith, which iswhich is the salvation of souls. the salvation of souls.

Notes on 1 Pet 1:8-9Notes on 1 Pet 1:8-91.1. These verses specify the Person mentioned in 1 Pet 1:7 in the These verses specify the Person mentioned in 1 Pet 1:7 in the

phrase “the Revelation of Jesus Christ.”phrase “the Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

2.2. The context is about the rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ.The context is about the rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

3.3. This, then, is THE critical doctrine that serves as the foundation This, then, is THE critical doctrine that serves as the foundation for all post-salvation spiritual life because it is the basis for your for all post-salvation spiritual life because it is the basis for your examination.examination.

4.4. The circumstance under which we love Jesus Christ is not seeing.The circumstance under which we love Jesus Christ is not seeing.

5.5. Despite our inability to see Him we love Him because we believe Despite our inability to see Him we love Him because we believe in what He has done for us. Cf. Gal 2:20: “Who loved me and in what He has done for us. Cf. Gal 2:20: “Who loved me and gave Himself over as a substitute for me.”gave Himself over as a substitute for me.”

6.6. The life we live begins with faith—we believe what God has said, The life we live begins with faith—we believe what God has said, and this causes us to love our Savior.and this causes us to love our Savior.

7.7. Love then is accompanied by rejoicing with inexpressible joy.Love then is accompanied by rejoicing with inexpressible joy.

8.8. The joy or enjoyment of a believer rests in our faith in Jesus Christ because The joy or enjoyment of a believer rests in our faith in Jesus Christ because of His saving work on our behalf.of His saving work on our behalf.

9.9. Two words describe a believer's joy in Jesus Christ: inexpressible and Two words describe a believer's joy in Jesus Christ: inexpressible and glorified. v8glorified. v8

10.10. Our joy is inexpressible, i.e. it defies our perception and therefore Our joy is inexpressible, i.e. it defies our perception and therefore articulation, because it is God’s happiness.articulation, because it is God’s happiness.

11.11. But it is based on that which But it is based on that which IS IS expressible, the Word of God.expressible, the Word of God.

12.12. Our joy is Our joy is glorifiedglorified, , doxavzwdoxavzw (doxazo), because this is the experience of (doxazo), because this is the experience of God. Cp. Prov 8:30-31God. Cp. Prov 8:30-31

13.13. The key passage of 1 Peter 1:3-9 presents the relationship between the The key passage of 1 Peter 1:3-9 presents the relationship between the believer and Jesus Christ as one of constant focus (occupation with Jesus believer and Jesus Christ as one of constant focus (occupation with Jesus Christ) and total happiness (sharing the happiness of God). Christ) and total happiness (sharing the happiness of God).

14.14. Experiencing this change in your life depends on your faith in God’s Word.Experiencing this change in your life depends on your faith in God’s Word.

1 Pet 1:8-91 Pet 1:8-9

The Word of God

Occupation with Christ: Occupation with Christ: II. What it DoesII. What it Does

1.1. Your whole life outlook changes as you RESPOND to Your whole life outlook changes as you RESPOND to His authority over your life.His authority over your life.

2.2. Your response to His work on your behalf motivates Your response to His work on your behalf motivates your obedience.your obedience.

3.3. Your motivation in life becomes His Glory, the exact Your motivation in life becomes His Glory, the exact opposite of the motivation of the flesh.opposite of the motivation of the flesh.

4.4. You make decisions in life that please Him because You make decisions in life that please Him because you know His Mind. you know His Mind.

5.5. You recognize His unconditional love for you as your You recognize His unconditional love for you as your pattern of love for others.pattern of love for others.

6.6. You love unconditionally in submission to Him. You love unconditionally in submission to Him.

Occupation with Christ:Occupation with Christ:III. How you Get itIII. How you Get it

1.1. God the Holy Spirit works this change in you.God the Holy Spirit works this change in you.2.2. He does this through the communication of God’s He does this through the communication of God’s

Word so that you can hear and then believe it.Word so that you can hear and then believe it.3.3. You are given the choice to focus; He provides the You are given the choice to focus; He provides the

ability if you choose to obey.ability if you choose to obey.4.4. God the Spirit even motivates you to God the Spirit even motivates you to desiredesire His work His work

in your life. Phil 2:12-13in your life. Phil 2:12-135.5. The Spirit works through you availing yourself to the The Spirit works through you availing yourself to the

Word of God. Jn 16:13 is the pattern starting with the Word of God. Jn 16:13 is the pattern starting with the DisciplesDisciples

6.6. In every case God provides the option; you must In every case God provides the option; you must choose it.choose it.

7.7. In every case, God in Grace provides the ability.In every case, God in Grace provides the ability.

Obedience Begins with a ChoiceObedience Begins with a ChoiceHeb 12:1-2: Heb 12:1-2:

                  11Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, surrounding us,

let us also lay asidelet us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, easily entangles us,

and let us run with endurance and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, the race that is set before us, 2 2 [by [by continually] continually] fixing our eyesfixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. throne of God.

          

Occupation with Christ:Occupation with Christ:IV. What it Isn’tIV. What it Isn’t

1.1. Energy of the Flesh.Energy of the Flesh.2.2. Forced on the believer by God “flipping a Forced on the believer by God “flipping a

switch.”switch.”3.3. Something an unbeliever can do.Something an unbeliever can do.4.4. Something you can achieve without the Word of Something you can achieve without the Word of

God in your soul.God in your soul.5.5. Restricted from any believer.Restricted from any believer.6.6. A guarantee that you will not suffer in life.A guarantee that you will not suffer in life.7.7. Something another human being can give you.Something another human being can give you.8.8. An emotional experience.An emotional experience.

Occupation with Christ:Occupation with Christ:V. Why You Don’t Have ItV. Why You Don’t Have It

1.1. Unbelievers cannot receive the message of God’s Word Unbelievers cannot receive the message of God’s Word beyond the Gospel.beyond the Gospel.

2.2. Believers who do not consistently submit themselves to the Believers who do not consistently submit themselves to the teaching of God’s Word will fail to focus on Jesus Christ teaching of God’s Word will fail to focus on Jesus Christ because they are not exercising their faith in His Word because they are not exercising their faith in His Word according to God’s design. Rom 10:17 is the pattern.according to God’s design. Rom 10:17 is the pattern.

3.3. The Devil, his Kosmos, and the flesh are working together The Devil, his Kosmos, and the flesh are working together to fight the Spirit and the Word He teaches.to fight the Spirit and the Word He teaches.

4.4. Any expression of the flesh, or Old Sin Nature is against Any expression of the flesh, or Old Sin Nature is against what God’s Word will teach you.what God’s Word will teach you.

5.5. Therefore you will begin to doubt and fail to “abide” in Therefore you will begin to doubt and fail to “abide” in Christ as your spiritual life starves.Christ as your spiritual life starves.

6.6. Believers who do consistently listen to God’s Word but fail Believers who do consistently listen to God’s Word but fail to relate it to Jesus Christ as the object of our faith will to relate it to Jesus Christ as the object of our faith will often miss the point and fail to abide in Christ.often miss the point and fail to abide in Christ.

Occupation with Christ:Occupation with Christ:VI. How You Apply ItVI. How You Apply It

1.1. If you are already “drawing near” to God in faith, there is If you are already “drawing near” to God in faith, there is no way you can be distracted away from that relationship.no way you can be distracted away from that relationship.

2.2. Because your relationship with Jesus Christ is first and Because your relationship with Jesus Christ is first and highest, no other human being or human relationship can highest, no other human being or human relationship can distract you.distract you.

3.3. Therefore you can love people without expectation to Therefore you can love people without expectation to receive from them. You have already received from Jesus receive from them. You have already received from Jesus Christ.Christ.

4.4. Because the WORST HORROR of all time was Because the WORST HORROR of all time was undertaken for you by Jesus Christ who “loved [you] and undertaken for you by Jesus Christ who “loved [you] and gave Himself over as [your] substitute” there is no trial, no gave Himself over as [your] substitute” there is no trial, no test, no pain stronger or greater than your relationship with test, no pain stronger or greater than your relationship with Him.Him.

5.5. So you can “count it all joy” when you suffer for His glory.So you can “count it all joy” when you suffer for His glory.

Choice AgainChoice Again

1 Pet 3:13-15     1 Pet 3:13-15     

          1313 Who is there to harm you if you prove  Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? zealous for what is good? 1414But even if you should But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, not be troubled, 1515but sanctify Christ as Lord in but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;reverence;

Gal 3:1Gal 3:1

““O, Foolish=non-thinking God’s thoughts O, Foolish=non-thinking God’s thoughts Galatians! Galatians! Who Who has hypnotized (so as to steal has hypnotized (so as to steal your attention away from its former focus) your attention away from its former focus) you?you?

You You beforebefore whose whose eyes Jesus Christ was eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as having been crucified in publicly portrayed as having been crucified in the past with results that still continue right the past with results that still continue right now?now?

Gal 3:2Gal 3:2

This ONLY I want to learn from you:This ONLY I want to learn from you:

By means of the works of the Law By means of the works of the Law

the Spirit did you receive the Spirit did you receive

or by means of the hearing of faith?! or by means of the hearing of faith?!

Gal 3:3Gal 3:3

THIS foolish are you?!THIS foolish are you?!

Having begun (aor dep participle) Having begun (aor dep participle)

by means of the Spirit, by means of the Spirit,

are you NOW are you NOW

by means of the flesh by means of the flesh

being perfected?!being perfected?!