Life's Journey

Galatians ~ Week 2 ~ Day 2

Hey there, I hope that you are enjoying this study as much as me. I hadn’t read the full book of Galatians for a while and I am liking the insight and reminder of some good stuff.

Today we are reading Galatians 3:1-9 and I have shared the Amplified version as it does a great job with the text. I have posted it below. If you have a few extra minutes, please share your insights, applications, or thoughts. Here are today’s verses for you to read.

“3 O you foolish and thoughtless and superficial Galatians, who has bewitched you [that you would act like this], to whom—right before your very eyes—Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified [in the gospel message]? 2 This is all I want to ask of you: did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying [the requirements of] the Law, or was it the result of hearing [the message of salvation and] with faith [believing it]? 3 Are you so foolish and senseless? Having begun [your new life by faith] with the Spirit, are you now being perfected and reaching spiritual maturity by the flesh [that is, by your own works and efforts to keep the Law]? 4 Have you suffered so many things and experienced so much all for nothing—if indeed it was all for nothing? 5 So then, does He who supplies you with His [marvelous Holy] Spirit and works miracles among you, do it as a result of the works of the Law [which you perform], or because you [believe confidently in the message which you] heard with faith? 6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, [as conformity to God’s will and purpose—so it is with you also]. 7 So understand that it is the people who live by faith [with confidence in the power and goodness of God] who are [the true] sons of [a]Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news [of the Savior] to Abraham in advance [with this promise], saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then those who are people of faith [whether Jew or Gentile] are blessed and favored by God [and declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with Him] along with Abraham, the believer.” Galatians 3:1-9

“Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Galatians 3:6

Paul used strong language when he questioned the Galatians as to why they were being so foolish as to lean on their works of the law rather than their faith in Jesus. He reminded them of their heritage and how it was Abraham’s faith that made him righteous. Abraham faithfully obeyed God by leaving his home and going where God led him. He was even willing to give up his own son and yet this was not what made him righteous. It was his faith. Abraham was not righteous—he was a sinner. But God counted him as righteous because of his faith. The law was given to reveal our sin. Salvation has always been by faith alone. But like Abraham, our faith is revealed by our obedience to God. Abraham was called to give up his home and land.

My reflection for the day: I understand Paul’s frustration here, knowing that a great revelation of the cross had been supernaturally given to them, but then they dilute the glorious work of the cross by adding to it the works of religion. I know that I am guilty of that at times, trying to work out my salvation by doing, saying, or copying someone else. I am so grateful for the grace of God in my life and that we have great men and women of God, like Abraham who was a great example, of how faith works. The substance of your faith is what releases God’s righteousness for you. Amen! Let me end with verse 2 “This is all I want to ask of you: did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying [the requirements of] the Law, or was it the result of hearing [the message of salvation and] with faith [believing it]?”

Reflection Questions: What have you had to give up, in order to follow the Lord? How has your faith been revealed through the way you have followed God?