Notes on
Galatians-1
Living in the Tree of Life
The book of Galatians, like most New Testament letters, was written to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus.
Galatians 1:1-5 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers and sisters with me,
To the churches in Galatia:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
vv. 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all.
After we have received freely the forgiveness of all our sins and eternal life by God’s grace, there is a tendency to go right back to a religion-based model for living based on what I do.
Verse 7 Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
In a sense, all man-made religions have this in common: they give you a pathway to God through a set of rules.
Religion says “Do!” Jesus says “Done!”
Genesis 2:8-9 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was knowledge based; it gave the person a different way to see the world.
Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
Eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil brings death into your life.
Genesis 3:1-7 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.
“For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Every time we make the wrong ‘gospel’ choice, it always produces a loss of innocence and shame.
The gospel based on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil focuses on what you do.
Luke 18:11-12 A Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
The gospel based on the tree of life focuses on what Jesus has done.
John 5:39-40 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me
The gospel based on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil focuses on getting God’s approval.
Luke 10:22 no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
John 17:6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.
Luke 15:20-25 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:28-30 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
The gospel based on the tree of life focuses on receiving God’s love.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
The gospel based on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil focuses on external duty
The gospel based on the tree of life focuses on internal desire.
1 John 5:3, 12 This is how you love God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.
I John 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Fall in love with Jesus.
John 14:15 If you love me, you will obey what I command.
Don’t allow condemnation.
Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
I Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Make the choice every day to stay in the gospel of the tree of life.
Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.
