Galatians 3:4 (KJV) Martyrs Without a Message

Galatians 3:4 (KJV)

Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

“...for what advantage was it to suffer for a false opinion?” (Barnes)

I’ve often thought about those poor souls who endured persecution in England after the reign of Henry VIII. The country flip-flopped between Catholicism and Protestantism. Same church buildings, same congregants—but when the queen was Catholic, she killed as many Protestants as she could get her hands on. When she was Protestant, she killed as many Catholics as possible.

As I understand it, most of those executed were vocal leaders of their respective systems. Thomas Cranmer, famously known for holding his hand over a candle the night before his execution, was one of them.

But generally, the only “civilians” being executed in those days—and there were many—were the Baptists, who were neither Catholic nor Protestant.

Suffering for the faith of Christ has always been a factor of the faith. Only in modern America have we come to expect that God’s obligation is to make us healthy, wealthy, and happy in this present evil world.

Origen, though an early heretic, witnessed the execution of his parents for their faith—though it was falsely founded.

To attach any form of works to faith—

• the keeping of the Old Testament law
• the observance of rituals and sacraments
• dependence upon baptism or communion

—makes faith vain.

How tragic it is that people have suffered, and still do suffer, for a version of Christianity that is not grounded in absolute faith in Christ alone.

#SufferedInVain #FaithAloneInChrist #TrueBiblicalChristianity #BaptistHeritage #NoWorksSalvation

Martyrs Without a Message: The Tragedy of False Religion

Are you trusting in Christ alone—or in a system that adds to Him?
Religious confusion has cost countless lives and led many sincere people down a dead-end path. Don’t let your faith be in vain.

📖 Take action today: Ask your pastor one clear question—“Does our church teach salvation by grace through faith alone, without works or rituals?” Then open your Bible and compare it to Ephesians 2:8–9 and Galatians 3:4.

💬 QUESTION: Have you ever been taught something about salvation that you later realized wasn't biblical? Share your experience in the comments.

🔗 Hungry for more Bible-centered answers? Visit marvinmckenzie.org for Bible studies, devotionals, and tools to strengthen your walk with Christ.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
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Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

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Galatians 3:4 (KJV) Martyrs Without a Message

Galatians 2:11 (KJV) Peter’s Public Mistake

Galatians 2:11 (KJV)

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Paul had said in verse six that he was no respecter of persons. Here, he demonstrates it with this rebuke of Peter. This, by the way, gives no license to disrespect those God places in authority over us. Paul’s point, at least in part, was to show that he was a peer to Peter, having an equal calling as an apostle of Christ.

Even then, an open and public rebuke such as this ought not be the normal practice. In this case, it was necessary—
Because he was to be blamed.
There was no question where the blame lay. Far from being the vicar of Christ, as the Roman Catholics make him out to be, he was a man, subject to like passions, on equal ground with the other apostles and in need, in this case, of correction.

Because others had followed him.
If this had been a private error on Peter’s part, it would have been appropriate to take him aside and speak to him privately. But this error had influenced others and had to be corrected in a public manner.

Because even Barnabas had gotten carried away with them.
Note how easily an error can spread. I learn from this that, while there is much I can gain from the example of others, my whole being must be set to follow Christ alone—and Him, only as I see Him in the Word of God.

A thought for further meditation (but not my primary one in this daily visit with God) is to note that verses 14–21—a significant passage indeed—is actually a record of the public rebuke of Peter. Notice it is not a flaring of the temper, but a reasoned preaching of the cross.

Always point to the cross!

#EqualCallingNotIdolatry #RespectWithDiscernment #PublicErrorPublicCorrection #FollowChristAlone #AlwaysPointToTheCross

Peter’s Public Mistake: The Boldness to Correct, The Grace to Point to Christ

Are you letting personalities lead you—or the Word of God?

Too many today follow men instead of Christ. Even Peter got it wrong, and Paul had to step in. That’s why we must stay anchored in Scripture and hold each other accountable in love.

💬 Question for you: When have you had to stand for truth, even when it wasn’t easy? Share your story in the comments.

✅ Take action today: Send an encouraging message to a fellow believer who's been standing for truth. Let them know you see their courage—and you're standing with them.

🔗 Hungry for more Bible-centered answers? Visit marvinmckenzie.org for Bible studies, devotionals, and tools to strengthen your walk with Christ.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Galatians 2:11 (KJV) Peter’s Public Mistake

 

Galatians 1:4 (KJV) God’s Will, Our Deliverance

Galatians 1:4 (KJV)

Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Any time we see Scripture relating to the will of God, it becomes us to think upon it. Jesus, we are assured in the Word, came to do His Father’s will. To know His will, to do His will, to pray according to His will, and to speak to others about His will should, in my understanding of the Christian life, be foremost.

According to the will of God, Jesus gave Himself.
“For God so loved the world…” The love of God gives. God the Father gave His Son, and the Son of God gave Himself.

According to the will of God, He did that for our sins.
The gift of God had purpose. It was for our sins—while we were yet sinners. God gave for our sins and despite our sins. Our sins are the problem. We can never address them in and of ourselves. If our sins are dealt with, it will only be as we embrace the gift of God and its full effects.

According to the will of God, He did that to deliver us from “this present evil world.”
Let’s stop pretending this present world can be fixed. It is evil. It is corrupted. Even it—this present evil world—groans, awaiting the day God will make all things new.

The work of the Christian is not earthly reform but soul deliverance. Ours is to call all men to come to Christ for forgiveness of sin, and to point their attention eternalward.

#AccordingToHisWill #DeliveredFromThisWorld #ChristGaveHimself #ForgivenessThroughJesus #EternalHopeInChrist

God’s Will, Our Deliverance: The Gift That Sets Us Free

Are you tired of trying to fix a broken world with broken tools?
Galatians 1:4 reminds us that Jesus gave Himself—not to patch up this world, but to deliver us from it.

👉 Take action today: Share the Gospel with one person. Text them, call them, or send them a verse. Don’t just read—reach. That’s what Jesus did, and that’s what we’re called to do.

💬 Question for you: Who in your life needs to hear about Christ’s deliverance today? Drop their initials in the comments—we'll pray with you.

For more Bible-based answers to life’s toughest questions, visit marvinmckenzie.org. New devotionals, teaching tools, and resources updated weekly.

#BiblicalTruth #GospelHope #JesusSaves #Galatians14 #AccordingToHisWill

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Galatians 1:4 (KJV) God’s Will, Our Deliverance

2 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV) The Evidence They Refuse to See

2 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV)

Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

One of the most comforting, eye-opening, and maybe even alarming things to note in the New Testament is how much ministry in the Apostle Paul's day resembled ministry today. Humanity hasn’t changed a bit in 2,000 years.

Neither Paul’s personal encounter with the Lord, his education, his connection with the other apostles, his claim to be an apostle, his effectiveness in ministry, nor even the miracles he performed (through the power of the Holy Spirit) changed people’s perceptions.

They still wanted proof—proof that satisfied them that Christ spoke in and through him.

• They accused his “proofs” of being weak.
• They demanded proofs they considered “mighty.”

I speak to people almost daily who make the same accusations.

• They say our evidence for creation is weak.
• They say our evidence that the Bible is the Word of God is weak.
• They say our evidence of the resurrection of Christ is weak.

What they really want is proof that meets their standards of authority and might. But the truth is, no evidence we could offer would ever be acceptable to them.

I believe it was Dawkins who said he was so convinced there is no God, that if Jesus appeared and proved Himself to him personally, he would assume he was hallucinating—and dismiss even his own experience.

• Evidence for evolution goes almost unchallenged.
• Evidence for events in ancient history is accepted without question.

But when it comes to the things of the Spirit, suddenly they claim the evidence is “weak.”

I believe the reason is clear: accepting the evidence would require a radical change in worldview, a new direction in life, and a confrontation with eternal consequences.

It’s too bad they feel this way—
Because God has provided a way of escape from those eternal consequences.

If they would only accept the “proof” of Christ,
They would quickly see—
He is the solution to the very consequences they fear so much.

#ProofOfChrist #BibleTruthMatters #FaithOverSight #ChristIsMighty #GospelUnchanged

The Evidence They Refuse to See: Demanding Proof, Denying Truth

Are you searching for real answers in a world full of noise and doubt?
The Bible isn’t weak—it’s mighty in those who believe. Don’t wait for proof that fits your preferences. Truth is already speaking.

👉 Action Step: Message a Bible-believing pastor today or find a local Baptist church where God’s Word is preached with boldness. Don’t walk this road alone—plug in and get grounded.

💬 Question: What’s one spiritual question you’ve had that you feel the world keeps dodging? Drop it in the comments—we’ll tackle it together from Scripture.

📲 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for solid Bible answers you can trust.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV) The Evidence They Refuse to See

2 Corinthians 12:5 (KJV) When You Can’t Win

2 Corinthians 12:5 (KJV)

Of such a one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

Barnes writes:
“Paul speaks in the third person. He chooses to keep himself directly out of view. And though he refers really to himself, yet he would not say this directly, but says that of such a man they would admit it would be proper to boast.”

The apostle Paul had so many enemies, one might argue he’s not the best example of how to get along with others while doing the work of the gospel. He had enemies among the Gentiles, enemies among his own countrymen—the Jews—and even enemies within the Christian faith, who opposed the idea of churches made up of different cultures.

Yet the Word of God establishes him as perhaps our prime example of ministry. From the start, we learn that it’s not possible to please most men, so we ought rather strive to please God. Someone will criticize the Christian no matter what tack we take in ministry.

Still, I find in this context a biblical preference in our conduct:

Keep self directly out of view.
Talk about what God is doing among men, but make little of self. 

I think of the Gospel of John, which never mentions the writer’s own name.
When we must speak of ourselves, speak of our weaknesses—not our strengths. 

Focus on what the Lord can do, not what we can do.

In my experience, there will always be people who attack any sign of confidence as arrogance, and any sign of weakness as being unfit for ministry. Among some people, we can’t win either way.

If they choose to attack us, let it be for our faith in and dependence upon the Lord—not for confidence in our flesh.

#GloryInWeakness #PleaseGodNotMen #MinistryByGrace #ChristNotSelf #FaithOverFlesh

When You Can’t Win: Please God Anyway

Are you tired of trying to please everyone—and still getting criticized?
The Apostle Paul shows us a better way: take yourself out of the spotlight and point everything to Christ.

🔎 Question for you:
Have you ever been misunderstood or attacked for doing right in ministry or Christian service? How did you respond?Drop your answer in the comments below.

📌 Today’s action step:
Speak boldly about what God is doing in someone else's life. Send an encouraging message, share a testimony publicly, or lift someone up in your church without mentioning yourself.

🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Corinthians 12:5 (KJV) When You Can’t Win