Paul says that Jesus gave Himself for our sins so that we could be delivered from this present evil age.
How do we need deliverance from this present evil age?
Satan is always trying to draw us into the world. Satan is always at work to get hooks in us to not let God’s children leave the land.
For example, I do believe Satan is using the show The Chosen to keep God’s people in the world. People who pulled away from Disney had no problem binging The Chosen. But it’s a fictional show. It’s not God’s truth.
Much of what is considered Christian entertainment is much better suited as outreach to nonbelievers than as something for Christians to consume. Christians need to pull away from entertainment. It’s a fake joy. We have the real thing.
Our everything belongs to the Lord. It’s from Him and for Him. All your time is the Lord’s. How does He want you to spend it? Ask the Lord to order your day, that He would delight in it.
Entertainment isn’t the only danger. Politics, money, lots of things. Love God, love His Word, love His people. Occupy yourself with loving others and doing good to all.
The Galatians are being turned to a false gospel of works. Churches and teachers that give you a list of what you need to do to be saved are teaching works. There’s no do this/do that list except what we see in the New Testament.
And the “do that” lists aren’t specifics. We love others. That can look like lots of things. The works some do don’t have to be the works you do. You love in partnership with the Holy Spirit.
Paul talks about the origins of the gospel he taught. It was revealed to Him by God, not taught him by man. It’s not that I don’t ever read books or listen to sermons, but the teaching I give you, I receive from the Lord. He teaches me and I teach others.
I’ll end with a powerful verse where Paul says that if he were trying to please man, he would not be a servant of Christ. We have to break free of trying to please others. We live for the approval of One. We make it our aim to please our Father. That’s reward enough.