This year, I'm pondering the traditional Advent themes—HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE—found in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians (my recent Bible study). Last week we examined the "hope of righteousness." Today we look at PEACE.
God
Advent 2025 First Sunday: HOPE
This year, I’m still pondering my recent study of Galatians. While we celebrate Jesus’s birth at Christmas, we cannot separate it from the reason he came nor his promises for the future. Join me here as I look at each of the traditional Advent themes—HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE—found in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Today we start with HOPE.
Galatians 6:1–18: New Creation Living
Paul begins the last chapter in his letter to the Galatians (Galatians 6:1–18) with more instructions on how to live out their freedom in Christ, especially in regard to relationship. He's already directed them to walk by the Spirit, but what happens when someone is overcome by wrongdoing? Paul calls for gentle restoration and then concludes his letter back on the topic he started with—circumcision doesn't matter. What counts is living as a new creation.
Galatians 3:15–4:7: Law, Promise, Sons, Heirs
Since Paul has argued that salvation is by faith, he now turns in Galatians 3:15–4:7 to explain the purpose of the law—to point to our need for Christ. And in Christ we are sons (yes even women) and heirs of God.
Galatians 3:1–14: The Righteous Live By Faith, Not Law
In Galatians 3:1-14 Paul proves from the Old Testament prophets that God's plan all along was to declare righteous those who believe in Christ. The law he gave to Moses at Mt. Sinai was never meant to save. Instead Jesus redeemed us. From the beginning, salvation is through faith.
Galatians 2:11–21: Justified by Faith in Christ
n this short section of Paul's letter to the Galatians, Galatians 2:11–21, he recounts to his audience the things he said when he confronted Peter about his hypocrisy regarding the law and non-Jews. Paul lays out the basics—we are justified by faith in Jesus and not by obeying a set of rules.
Galatians 1–2: Paul’s Testimony and Commission
I continue with Galatians 1:11–2:10 summarizing the message, adding same parallel passages for explanation, then asking some application questions. It’s my way of making sense of Paul’s writing and digging for his meaning and how I can apply it personally.
I’m Writing a New Book to Remember and Tell
I have finished the first full draft of my next book. And I want you to tell you about it. "Remember and Tell" is a devotional memoir remembering the deeds of the Lord while we served in Indonesia and telling of his love and goodness to the next generation.
Pondered Treasures 