Guided By Grace Archives - Page 10 of 175

October 26, 2025October 26, 2025

HYPOCRISY / LUKE 12:1

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 12:1

In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

HYPOCRISY / LUKE 12:1

Jesus condemns the hypocrisy (false-heartedness, pretense, double standards) of the Pharisees, warning His disciple to be careful that this sinful trait does not enter their own lives and ministry.

Hypocrisy means acting as if you are what you are not. For example, it could involve acting outwardly as a godly and faithful Christian, when in reality (in your private life or with a different crowd) you are hiding sin, immorality, greed, lust or other ungodly attitudes and behaviors. Hypocrite is a deceiver when it comes to appearing “right.”
Since hypocrisy involves living a lie, it makes a person a partner or co-worker with Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44).
Jesus warns His disciples that all hypocrisy and hidden sin will be exposed – if not in this life, then certainly on the day of judgment (Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 4:5; Revelation 20:11-13). What is done secretly behind closed doors will be at some point openly revealed (Luke 12:2-3). This does not mean that confessed and forgiven sin will be brought against us. Rather, it means that what is hidden through hypocrisy will certainly be revealed (Luke 12:2-3).
A lifestyle of hypocrisy is a sign that a person does not fear God with a holy reverence and respect for His character, power and judgment (Luke 12:5). It also means that a person is resisting or does not have God’s Holy Spirit within them, transforming their lives to be like Christ (Romans 8:5-14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5). While remaining in this condition, a person cannot “escape being condemned to hell” (Matthew 23:33).

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! May the words inspire and uplift all who read them. Your support and interest mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment you spend here. Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!” Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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October 25, 2025October 25, 2025

GRACE / RIGHTEOUSNESS / GALATIANS 2:21

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 2:21

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

GRACE / RIGHTEOUSNESS / GALATIANS 2:21

GRACE

The word translated “grace” (Greek charis) refers to God’s unearned and undeserved favor. “Justice” means we get what we deserve. In terms of defying God and His standards, this would mean judgment and punishment. “Mercy” suggests that we are spared from the bad things and judgment we deserve. “Grace” means we are given favor and good things that we do not deserve. God’s grace is His goodness, love and favor given to sinners who deserve His condemning judgment (Romans 5:2). That grace is ours by accepting God’s mercy, which He extends to us through Christ’s death for our offenses against God (Romans 5:8-9). God’s grace may be missed (Hebrews 12:15), rejected or set aside (Galatians 2:21). God withholds grace from the proud, but He gives added grace to the humble (James 4:6).

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Paul’s understanding of justification (Galatians 2:16-17) and righteousness – both of which imply a right relationship with God – includes more than just a “legal” declaration by God that we are “not guilty” if we have received His forgiveness. The righteousness that comes through faith in Christ involves moral change (Galatians 2:19), the grace of God (Galatians 2:21) and an ongoing relationship with Christ in which we share the power of His resurrection (Galatians 2:20). True righteousness involves a real-life transformation (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul confirms this in Galatians 3:21, where he makes it clear that the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ is a direct result of the Holy Spirit coming to live within those who receive Christ (Galatians 3:2-3, 14).

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October 25, 2025October 25, 2025

I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST / GALATIANS 2:20

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST / GALATIANS 2:20

Paul describes his relationship to Christ in terms of a deeply personal attachment to and reliance on his Lord. Those who have true faith in Christ should consider themselves to be united with Him in such a way that they relate to and identify with Jesus in both His death and His resurrection.

In a sense, all Christians have been crucified with Christ on the cross. Their old sinful, rebellious way of life was put to death with Jesus as He took their sin on Himself and paid its full penalty through His own death (2 Corinthians 5:21). In addition, Christians have been freed from the law’s requirement of having to rely on imperfect sacrifices as a way to receive forgiveness and maintain a relationship with God. Christ’s perfect and sinless life provided the complete sacrifice for sins once and for all (1 Peter 3:18). Those who accept the forgiveness provided by that sacrifice receive a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) by faith in Christ (Galatians 2:19), which allows them to fulfill God’s highest purpose for their lives. Because of spiritual salvation and a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, sin no longer has control over them (Romans 6:11; Romans 6:4, 8, 14; Galatians 5:24; 6:14; Colossians 2:12; Colossians 2:20).
We who have been crucified with Christ now live with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). This means that Christ and His strength live within us through the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-14). Jesus has become the source and focus of our lives; He is the center of all our thoughts, words and actions (John 15:1-6; Ephesians 3:17). Our primary aim is to fulfill His purposes and honor Him in all we do.
Our opportunity to relate to and share in Christ’s death and resurrection is a gracious gift of God, and it becomes activated through faith in Christ. That faith is not just an intellectual belief, but an active trust that surrenders the leadership of one’s life to the son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us (John 3:16). Living by faith in Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is also referred to as living by the Spirit (Galatians 3:3; 5:25; Romans 8:9-11).

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October 25, 2025October 25, 2025

JUSTIFIED BY … FAITH / GALATIANS 2:15-16

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 2:15-16

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, ¹⁶Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

JUSTIFIED BY … FAITH / GALATIANS 2:15-16

This is a key issue in Paul’s letter to the Galatians (just as it was in his letter to the Romans, Romans 3 – 8). Paul deals here with the question of how sinners can be justified (forgiven of their sins, accepted by God and put in a right relationship with Him). This will happen not by “observing the law” or following religious routines, but by a living and active faith in Christ Jesus. Paul is not saying that the law is not “holy, righteous and good” (Romans 7:12). But he argues against using the law as a basis for trying to gain favor or acceptance with God. Salvation by faith, because of God’s grace (His unearned favor), is the essence of the true message of Christ (Romans 3:20, 28; Philippians 3:9).

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October 25, 2025October 25, 2025

AFRAID OF … CIRCUMCISION GROUP / GALATIANS 2:12

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 2:12

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

AFRAID OF … CIRCUMCISION GROUP / GALATIANS 2:12

Circumcision involves cutting the foreskin from the penis. This physical act was originally used to confirm God’s promise to make Abraham’s descendants a great nation (Genesis 17:1-14). Later, it became a sign that the Israelites were in a covenant relationship with God based on God’s laws and promises to them and their faithfulness and obedience to Him (Leviticus 12:3; Romans 2:29). Those “who belonged to the circumcision group” were Jewish Christians, especially in the Jerusalem church, who believed that the Old Testament sign of circumcision was still necessary for all new covenant Christians (Galatians 2:4). They also taught that Jewish believers should not eat with any uncircumcised Gentile (non-Jewish) believers who did not follow certain Jewish customs and food restrictions. Peter knew that God accepted Gentile believers without bias or prejudice (Acts 10:34-35), Yet he denied his own principles out of fear of criticism and the possibility of losing authority with some in the Jerusalem church. His separation from Gentile believers at mealtimes encouraged the false notion that there were two bodies of Christ (two different churches) – Jewish and Gentile.

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October 25, 2025October 25, 2025

I OPPOSED HIM TO HIS FACE / GALATIANS 2:11

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 2:11

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

I OPPOSED HIM TO HIS FACE / GALATIANS 2:11

A minister or spiritual leader – or any believer, for that matter – who behaves in ways that reflect a false or hypocritical witness (Galatians 2:13) must be challenged and corrected (1 Timothy 5:20). This principle applies to everyone, whatever the person’s reputation, status or influence. Even a wee-known and respected person like Peter (one of Jesus’ closest disciples and a key leader in the early church), who was used powerfully by God, needed to be corrected when his behavior was not consistent with his faith (Galatians 2:11-17; 1 Timothy 5:20-21). The Bible reveals that Peter recognized his error, humbly accepted Paul’s rebuke and changed his behavior. He later refers to Paul as “our dear brother Paul” (2 Peter 3:15).

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October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

REMEMBER THE POOR / GALATIANS 2:10

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 2:10

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

REMEMBER THE POOR / GALATIANS 2:10

A repeated theme that is seen throughout God’s Word is the special importance of helping the poor (Exodus 23:10-11; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Jeremiah 22:16; Amos 2:6-7; Matthew 6:2-4; John 13:29). There will always be those around us who need help. Those who are disadvantaged, especially “those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10), require both our material assistance and our prayers. Jesus said that when we meet the practical needs of “the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:40).

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October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

GOD DOES NOT JUDGE BY EXTERNAL APPEARANCE / GALATIANS 2:6

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 2:6

But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

GOD DOES NOT JUDGE BY EXTERNAL APPEARANCE / GALATIANS 2:6

God does not show favoritism or preference to any person because of his or her heritage, reputation, position or accomplishment (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 10:17; Job 34:19; Acts 10:34; Ephesians 6:9).

God sees and evaluates the heart (the inner person, one’s true devotion and motives), and His favor rests on those whose hearts are truly devoted to Him in love, faith and spiritual purity (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 23:28; Luke 16:15; John 7:24; 2 Corinthians 10:7; 1 Corinthians 13:1).
This means that God does not prefer the love, companionship and prayers of the educated more than the uneducated, the rich more than the poor, the powerful more than the weak or the influential more than the seemingly unknown. God’s eternal principle is that He “accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right” (Acts 10:35).

Bible Study Tools I Use

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October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

NOT GIVE IN TO THEM FOR A MOMENT / GALATIAN 2:5

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 2:5

To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

NOT GIVE IN TO THEM FOR A MOMENT / GALATIAN 2:5

Paul was gentle, tolerant and patient toward many things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7), but he was firm and completely unbending when it came to the “truth of the gospel.” The revelation that he received directly from Christ (Galatians 1:12) is the one and only message that possesses the power to save all who believe, receive and respond to it (Romans 1:16). Paul understood that this gospel (“good news”; Mark 14:9) must never be compromised for the sake of peace, unity or current opinion. Both the honor of Jesus Christ and the salvation of those who are spiritually lost (who have not received God’s forgiveness and a personal relationship with Christ) were at stake. If we neglect or abandon any part of the gospel according to New Testament revelation, we begin to tear down the only message that can save us from eternal destruction (Matthew 18:6).

Bible Study Tools I Use

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October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

FALSE BROTHERS / GALATIANS 2:4

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 2:4

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

FALSE BROTHERS / GALATIANS 2:4

These were Judaizers, those who strictly obeyed the rules of Judaism (Jewish religion, customs and culture). They claimed that non-Jews needed to follow the Old Testament law of Moses (Acts 15:5; 2 Corinthians 11:26), particularly the regulation of circumcision (Galatians 2:12; Romans 2:29; Philippians 3:2; Acts 15:11), in order to be saved and in right relationship with God (Romans 2:29) This philosophy is also referred to as legalism. Legalism involves relying on religious regulations, routines and personal works to bring spiritual salvation or gain favor with God. It involves following the details of the law without a true commitment to the spirit and purposes behind the law (Acts 25:8). While God’s law is good and spiritual (Romans 7:12-14) and its moral standards and principles still apply to the Christian life, simply following the law cannot save us. The purpose of God’s law is to reveal our own inability to live by God’s perfect standard and to point us to our need for Christ (Galatians 3:24). When a person by faith receives God’s forgiveness and yields his or her life to Christ’s leadership, the Holy Spirit then enables him or her to live by God’s standards (Romans 8:4). The person lives the transformed life, however, out of love and gratitude to God, not as a means of gaining His favor. Many Judaizers were not even sincere in their own devotion to the law but simply wanted to force their influence upon other people in the church and distract them from true faith in Christ (Galatians 4:17).

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
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www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
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Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

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