What You Need to Know When You Read Galatians

Galatians is a popular book in the New Testament that everyone seems to have a different take on. Traditional Christianity uses verses from Galatians as justification for setting aside Biblical commandments. Messianic believers might tell you that it's just talking about oral or Jewish law. Others read through it and think it contradicts itself repeatedly, or just feel confused. What is Galatians about?

How can we make sense of this important part of Scripture? This post will tell you how to read and study Galatians, so that you can understand how it is relevant today!

-Galatians is not meant to be read on its own. I grew up thinking that Galatians was some sort of trump card, and even if the Bible said the opposite thing somewhere else it didn't matter because somehow Galatians was more relevant or important than the rest of Scripture. But it's not legitimate to use one Bible verse to write off other parts of God's word. The way we translate and teach Galatians needs to fit with the rest of Scripture, because the Living God did not create his word to be contradictory. All of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is cohesive. It fits together and all of the passages make sense with all of the other passages. If there is something in the Bible that seems to be contrary to other verses, that should call our attention to examine that topic more thoroughly. If something in Scripture is confusing, that's because I don't understand it well enough - not because it really is confusing.

-Different types of law are talked about in Galatians. Did you know that most Bible translations just use the word "law" for different types of law? That's about as clear as walking into a bridal dress shop and saying that you like the white dress! Specifications matter, and in this case Galatians talks about both Biblical law, and Levitical law. We need to rightly discern which type of law it talks about when. Otherwise this book will seem like it's contradicting itself and other parts of the Bible.

-The Bible says that Paul's writings are hard to understand. Peter wrote that in 2 Peter 3:16 and warned that Paul's writings often end up distorted or twisted. Here is a warning from the Bible that we need to slow down and study this book. It's unrealistic to think that a quick, cursory reading of an English translation will lead us to to proper meaning of Galatians when Scripture warns us that it is difficult to understand. That doesn't mean we can't understand it, but this indicates that the true meaning of Galatians might be different than what we've been taught!

Related posts: 
A Hebraic Perspective on Galatians
The Three Types of Laws in Scripture
Comparing the Melchizedek and Levitical Priesthoods

Extraordinary Living Through Scripture

Flipping open a random book at the library, this quote leaped off the page at me:
Tell children, to have an extraordinary life they should read the word every day.

I mean, wow...what an idea! It makes sense doesn't it? If we believe that faith, hope, healing, redemption, joy, peace, etc. come from the word of YHWH, then it certainly would be a wise investment of our time to find these things in order to live our best lives. 

It's such robbery that society sends the message to all of us that living a good life means you have to be famous, have a high profile job, be really wealthy, or have a ton of friends. We can look at the divorce rate in Hollywood, the average life-expectancy of famous musicians (42 years), or the amount of celebrities checked into rehab and see that money and fame don't give you a good life. Being rich doesn't mean you're joyful or have peace and being famous doesn't mean you have healthy relationships. None of the things that the world deems as success means you are walking as YHWH wants or that you'll have eternal life. 

On the flip side, no matter what someone's life looks like learning truth and how YHWH wants us to live will make their life better! Regardless of age, location, income, or whatever else, we all need the love, joy, and peace that come from the Holy Spirit, because that's how we have a good life: through relationship with our Savior. And that starts with learning his Word: what he says, his promises, what he says about us, instructions on how to live, and encouragement.

I was driving through town and reminded of how much Scripture can impact us. I wasn't really having a bad day, but I was beginning to feel a little frazzled. Several small frustrations had happened, and things were taking longer than I had planned...you know how things like this can turn into a bad day, if you let them? Well, I had just turned around because I realized I had forgotten something and I drove past a church in town that is known for their sign being...snarky. Well, this is the only time I can remember in my whole life they had a Bible verse on their sign. It said, "Hold onto hope, for he is forever faithful." I read that and it instantly brightened my day and I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. That day could have spiraled downward, but being reminded of truth stopped that. Just from reading one verse while driving past. Scripture really can transform a bad day into a great one, and it can inspire and equip you to live your best life. Who can't use more of it?

Who doesn't want more good days? Who can't use more peace in their life? Who doesn't need more wisdom about how to live? The place to get these things is Scripture!

Ways to get more Scripture in your life:

-Read it. Seriously, it's time to be done with excuses and start reading YHWH's word. Even if you're not great at reading or don't like to read, pick it up and start. It's so worth it! Even if you don't make it far or you go slow, it will impact your life.

-Sabbath. If you consistently read Scripture throughout the week that is awesome! Consider reading extra or doing some type of study on Shabbat. If you're not good about consistently being in the Word, start with making it a point to at least read on the Sabbath day.

-Make it a habit. Things are a lot easier once we have a pattern established, so make it a point to make reading Scripture a habit. Try reading first thing in the morning, after lunch, or as part of your nighttime routine. Figure out what works well for you and in about three weeks you should have a habit made if you stick to it!

-Listen to an audio Bible. I know there are plenty of times when reading isn't an option but you can still saturate yourself with the peace of the Word when you're driving, making dinner, playing with the kids, out for a run or whatever else you're doing. Listen to an audio Bible or a teaching on Scripture when your eyes and hands are occupied elsewhere. Even if you don't catch everything, it's better than nothing and can brighten up your day. It's also a great example to set for children or anyone else who sees this habit.

-Listen to music that focuses on Scripture. This is the same idea as listening to an audio Bible, you can do it at times when you can't sit down and read. But it has the added bonus of making Scripture verses easier to recall. I often have songs in my head while I'm working or running errands, so I'd much rather they be songs filled with truth! If you're working somewhere that plays the radio, put on a Christian station. If you're somewhere that is playing good music let them know how much you appreciate that.

-Leave your Bible out and open. This is a simple way to sneak in some reading. When I am busy I'm not going to go take a heavy Bible off the shelf when I don't have time to read it anyway. But if it's laying open on the counter? You can read a verse or two when you're on the phone, cleaning up, or packing lunches.

-Get a verse of the day app or set your homepage to a verse of the day website. You might as well make your screen time a more life-giving experience, right? Get an app that will pop up with a verse or find a pretty Scripture for your lock screen on your phone. Setting your internet browser's homepage to a Bible website will help to start your day off on the right foot. Make your desktop background a Scripture verse that encourages you, and share verses on social media to inspire others.

-Place Bible verses around your home. There are many beautiful printable Bible verses that are free or inexpensive. Get a few and place them around your home where you will see them...on the fridge, near the door you walk in and out of the most, the bathroom mirror, etc. If you have an office or desk space at work, put some there as well. Change or move them when they stop catching your attention.

-Put Scriptures on a chalkboard. Same idea as the printable verses but with the added opportunity memorization and meditation when you take the time to write it out. They are easy to make too, here's my DIY version.

-Be accountable. Do you struggle to find motivation to pick up your Bible? Joining a study group can help a lot! Jotting "Bible study" in your planner reminds you that you have some reading to do, plus it's nice to look forward to talking to others about it. You can also share your goal of reading more Scripture with family and friends and ask them to remind you and encourage you in it.

-Talk about it! Even living in a conservative Christian area, Scripture doesn't get brought up a lot. If that's going to change it starts with me. Make it a point to talk about a Bible verse or story at the dinner table or ask a friend what Scriptures have been on their mind lately. Or share what you have been learning or thinking about. It doesn't have to be in a 'thus sayeth' style and you don't need to quote the verse address anytime a spiritual discussion comes up. Practice talking about faith and Biblical truths naturally and it will impact you and your community.