Sreedhar's Journey

Are you free? Are you free to do what you wish? Usually this comes with a life that is free from any responsibility and pressure. We would all love to be in this place. Is it ever possible? In a way yes! We can because we are children of the promise as mentioned by Paul. Galatians 4:6-7 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. It is interesting that Paul brings in Hagar, the bondservant, into the story. Yes, her son is blessed but the full blessing of the promise is only through Isaac in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus only can save us and give us the true sonship in God. It is available to all, including the descendants of Ishmael. Galatians 4:22-23 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he o...

Ever seen yourself in the mirror? Of course you have. Even in the remotest places, people see themselves in the mirror through the reflection in some water.  Most are concerned about what they look like. We need to see ourselves to be able to help correct something before we look lousy and perhaps embarrass ourselves. The law of God is no different. It is also a mirror. In this chapter, it is evident that Paul is having trouble with the church in Galatia that has reverted to following the law for their salvation. He keeps referring to the promise of Abraham and that we need the faith promise of Abraham to have salvation. Paul emphasizes that the law came 430 years after the promise was given by God to Abraham. The law has not canceled the promise. The promise is fulfilled through Jesus Christ' death and resurrection! Galatians 3:17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, tha...

It is interesting how sometimes we would do things to please man even if it is against our good conscience. Sometimes it is because you are employed in a particular organization and you are paid for the job you do. Or, you sense an obligation to stay connected with a particular individual or organization because of some historical ties. In the early church this was also evident. Paul straightforwardly highlights some hypocrisy about the adherence to the law. There were Jewish followers of Jesus who kept the law, including circumcision. There was even references to situations where people will not sit together because there were Gentiles. Paul clearly shows (there are indications in Galatians that he spent 17 years in quiet study of the Holy Scriptures from a new perspective as a follower of Jesus Christ) that if the law was to be fulfilled, then Christ' death on the cross was in vain. We are saved by faith. Old habits die hard. Galatians 2:20-21 I have been crucified with Christ;...

So you believe in miracles? I do! There is something called prayer that can change things and people. Sometimes we pray half heartedly, not believing that what we prayed for would actually turn out. But God surprises us and shows off (in a good way). I am not sure if and how the early church prayed for Paul when he was persecuting the church. But, I believe someone prayed for something to happen. God answered in a way that they least expected. Paul greets the churches in Galatia and preambles his introduction with a statement about them following a different gospel. There was going to be some tough correction to be presented. But what caught my attention is the miracle that happened in Paul's life. He went from killing followers of Jesus Christ to promoting Jesus. Galatians 1:23-24 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me. Paul had his Damascus road experience and was interesti...

It is always easy to find fault with someone. But it is harder to see mistakes in our own lives. The simple example is food stuck in the corners of our mouth. In anticipation that something is stuck there, we use a napkin to wipe our mouth every so often during a meal. Otherwise, someone may have to point it out to you. Other issues or mistakes can be a lot bigger and more sensitive for another person to point out. Paul was in such a predicament with the Corinthians. Paul closes his letter with a general open statement encouraging the people to check themselves, even if they do not accept his words of correction. Basically "get your napkin out". 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. In a way, this is still a strong statement, but Paul had no choice but to bring this church back to the right understanding. It is not easy as egos a...

Are you talking to a brick wall? There are many situations you try to talk to somebody about an important matter but they don't seem to get it. I remember once trying to buy a house and we connected with a real estate agent to do this. We mentioned what our budget was and that we were not interested in schools or school districts as our children were homeschooled. In the first home visits he took us to all the homes that were above our budget and in good school districts. We gave him the benefit of the doubt and reiterated our expectations. In the second round he still kept taking us to the wrong homes. Paul had a similar experience with the church in Corinth. Paul explained that he did not need to boast about his experience with the Lord to gain credibility with them. He just wanted the best for them. He had realized that as a minister of the gospel he is made strong through his weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, not in needs, ...

If you want an easy life, then compromise at every turn. Don't get me wrong. I am not saying compromising is wrong. You should compromise when you come to a disagreement that is not adverse to anybody and does not break someone's conscience. We however should NOT compromise when it is the truth, or when it is going to bring harm to a person or situation. Paul never compromised the truth and suffered great persecution as a result. 2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. Paul suffered greatly from the Jews and those whose livelihood or positions were impacted by the increasing followers of Jesus Christ. However, he was relentless in his efforts to share the good news of the gospel. He found every opportunity to address a crowd with the gospel. You may ask why he did that. The good news is true, and people will die without God and into hell other...