Tag: galatians

NEW

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

The word “new” is quite common (at least 176 occurrences) in both the Old and New Testament Scriptures … however, not insignificant! Its first appearance is a compound Hebrew word referring to “new” or fresh wine and is not associated with drunkenness.  This word speaks of a product, usually connected to God’s blessings of fruitfulness, productivity, and blessing.

The Hebrew word, chadash (khaw-dawsh’), usually translated fresh, a new thing, new, or refreshed appears 56 times in the Hebrew Old Testament text. It always refers to something recent or fresh (as the exact opposite of old) and speaks of something that did not previously exist. Isaiah 42:9 declares,

Behold, the former things have come to pass, now I declare new things; before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.

In Jeremiah 31:31-32 the Lord speaks through His prophet,

Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.  

Ezekiel 11:19 announces God’s intentions, “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them.”

Then, there is this beautiful, but familiar proclamation from Lamentations 3:22-23,

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

In the New Testament, 3 Greek root words — kianos; neos; prosphatos — are generally translated “new” in our Bibles and each has a different, distinct meaning. 

1. kainos denotes “new,” in that which is unaccustomed or unused, not “new” in time (as something recent), but “new” as to its style, form, or quality.  Something of a different nature/character as that which is in contrasted to its old nature/character. The Gospel of Christ brings forward and presents: a “new” covenant in Matthew 26:28; a “new” commandment in John 13:34; a “new” creative act in Galatians 6:15; a “new” creation in II Corinthians 5:17; a “new” person, after the pattern of Christ in Ephesians 4:24; a “new” union, His Church body in Ephesians 2:15. In the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Apostle John, “new” things prevail and are to be received as well as enjoyed forever!  A “new” name for believers in Revelation 2:17; a “new” name for the Lord in Revelation 3:12; a “new” song in Revelation 5:9; a “new” Heaven and a “new” Earth in Revelation 21:1; the “new” Jerusalem in Revelation 3:12 and 21:2; “And He that sitteth on the Throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’” in Revelation 21:5!

2.  Neos signifies “new” in respect of time, that which is recent; it is used of the young, especially in the comparative degree of something being younger.  Neos and Kainos may sometimes be used of the same thing/object, but there is a difference.  Colossians 3:10 states that believers, “have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.” In this case one would conclude that the discussion is in reference to character or nature, but “neos” is used to emphasize the fact that the believer’s “new” experience, recently began, and is still proceeding. The old man/individual in the believer … dates as far back as Adam; a “new” man has been recently birthed in respect to Adam, newly born – thus born again – a spiritual birth. (John 3:1-8)

3.  Prosphatos originally was used to signify something “freshly slain/cut/poured/happening,” as may be applied to flowers, oil, wine, misfortune, etc.

However, its use in Hebrews 10:19-20 cast a discrete and powerful message!

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new (root word – prosphatos) and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

 YES … A new and living way just for us!

I pray that the “new” will truly be alive, dynamic, and operative in you and yours throughout the New Year, 2020!                 

– His & Yours, PF

ABBA

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

In Romans 8:15, the Apostle Paul employs a Hebraic-Chaldaic word for “Father” to help believers understand their freedom in Christ and their current relationship with God. In ancient Jewish households, the servants and slaves were never permitted to address the head of the household in the same manner as those belonging to that household either by blood or by legal adoption. Descendants and legal adoptees could, and would properly address their Father as “ABBA,” a word corresponding to our “Daddy” or “Papa.” In the time of Christ, and the New Testament era, “ABBA” was commonly used in a child’s life, from infancy on, as an expression of warm, genuine affection and supreme confidence. Sadly, there is no perfect equivalent in our English language.

In Mark 14:36, Christ uses “Abba,” crying out to His Father in genuine affection and supreme confidence when declaring, “All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” Therefore, the right to call God “Abba” (Father) is a special privilege afforded to only a few, those, to whom by relationship have been granted that right. That’s why Paul uses this very specific word and terminology in Romans 8:15 – “For you (true believers) have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we (can and are privileged to) cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’”

Further explanation of this concept is offered in Galatians 4:6-7 – “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (Jesus Christ) into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” Therefore you are no longer a slave (or servant who cannot and should not address the Father), but a son; and if a son, then an heir (joint heir with all His other children and Jesus Christ) through God.

Christ offers additional reinforcement concerning our liberty and position when, immediately after His resurrection, He addresses Mary Magdalene in John 20:18 saying, “Go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” Christ’s Father is my Father too — Christ’s God is my God too — What a deal! What a privilege, what an honor! A slave or servant lives under constant fear and alarm. But we live in freedom and confidence as His children. The spirit of adoption brings the assurance – because you were adopted (picked, chosen) – accompanied by feelings of affection, love, and confidence which as children, looking to any goodly father, not the servile, trembling spirit of slaves. Adoption requires taking and treating a stranger as one’s own child. It is applied to Christians because God treats us as His own, and receives us into relationship, though in the natural, we would be/feel as strangers and enemies in that relationship.

  1. By nature we have no position.
  2. God’s act towards us is one of kindness, of pure, sovereign love.
  3. Now we are under his protection and care.
  4. Now, we as His children, bear His image and character, and yield to Him through our obedience.
  5. Now we express toward Him the feelings due to a Father.
  6. Now we can call upon Him; addressing Him in the language of affection and endearing confidence, seeking His protection and assistance in all things.

Just think about it! – PF

LIBERTY

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

During the past 35 years of Grace Ministries & Fellowship dba West Oaks Fellowship, I’ve preached over 30 sermons and written a plethora of short articles on the biblical concepts of “liberty” and freedom. It is truly one of my favorite topics, with more cogitating and pondering than I could ever hope to share. 

The Hebrew word “derowr” only appears a handful of times in the Old Testament, always meaning the direct opposite of servitude or bondage. Hence, it’s applicable to captives or slaves being liberated (set free) from any and all forms of oppression (See Leviticus 25:10; Isaiah 61:1). In the Old Testament, godly individuals might also speak about having a measure or portion of “liberty” as in Psalms 119:45, where the Hebrew word “rachabh” – translated “liberty” in English – means “room” or “breadth.” Nonetheless, it is the Gospel — only the Gospel of Jesus Christ — which bestows the fullness of “liberty”!

In the New Testament Scriptures, the Greek words “exousia” and “eleutheria,” both translated as “liberty” in our English Bibles, are presented as essential elements in one’s successful Christian life/journey. Morally and spiritually speaking, the power which enslaves humanity is sin (see John 8:34), and “liberty” exists not simply in a sense of external freedom, or if one is actually in full possession of the power of choice, but in the authentic deliverance from the darkening of the mind/heart — the tyranny of sinful passions/lusts (strong desires) and the enthrallment of the human will — which is induced by a morally/spiritually corrupt state of existence.

In a positive respect, “liberty” consists in the possession of God’s righteousness through Christ Jesus, which empowers believers with the desire, will, and ability to choose and do what is right and good (according to the Lord … not necessarily from the world’s perspective or view point). This “liberty” — to respond affirmatively and obey the Lord — is only possible within the born-again/renewed condition of the soul, coupled with the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit, which cannot exist apart from genuine faith in Jesus Christ.

Christ’s liberating gospel lifts the believer out of the sphere of external law/legalism and gives one a sense of genuine freedom in a new filial relation with the Lord. In that respect and biblical context, the New Testament expressions concerning a believer’s “liberty” are almost overwhelming!

Consider – “the glorious liberty/freedom of God’s children” as described in Romans 8:21. Then compare the issues/struggles of Galatians 2:4 and 5:13! Our “liberty” in Christ Jesus to listen, love, follow, serve, and obey Him shall not be enslaved by the creeping claws of self-exalting religious works and self-righteous legalism. These are not the work of God’s Holy Spirit as described in 2 Corinthians 3:17! We live/walk in “the perfect law of liberty” (See James 1:25), and are, indeed, blessed! Therefore, as believers, we should never abuse this magnificent provision of Christ — as we are all clearly warned in Galatians 5:11 and 1 Peter 2:16.

We must never forget that the precision instrument through which this fabulous “liberty” is conveyed is “the Truth” as Christ taught in John 8:32. Has His Truth set you free?

Don’t just think about it, live it! Pastor Frank