Day 174 "Choose: Faith or Law?" (Galatians: Chapter Three)

We as human beings are prone to subjecting ourselves to the idea that our identity, who we perceive ourselves to be, is muchly tied and tethered to our accomplishments and how we perform before others. It is definitely not wrong to have goals and ambition to achieve those goals. But what is at issue is the root of the motivation that causes us to act. When one looks for causes as to why we do or do not do something, much of the reason from a worldly perspective can be attributed to fear- fear of losing what we have or missing out on what might pass us by. Seldom do we really come across people who are at complete peace with themselves, with who they perceive themselves to be and how they view others. In this chapter of Galatians, Paul exhorts the Christians in Galatia not to resort to falling back to

their old ways and believe that righteousness comes by how they perform and act. Paul emplores them to consider what they are doing.

Galatians: Chapter Three

:1 "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you!

Paul must have been astounded at the foolishness of those Galatians who would

be willing to throw away their righteousness that came through God's grace by faith to seek out and attain a righteousness through their own efforts and merit.

He probably was thinking, "Why seek that which you already have?"

:2-3 "Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or be believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Clearly, Paul is drawing a line in the sand between living by faith in Christ or

trying to live righteously by one's own efforts. Who among us, today, have not done the same thing? We accepted Christ as our savior, believing that there was nothing we can do by our own efforts to merit our own righteousness and holiness before a just and holy God, only to believe going forward that there is still something we need to do on our part to maintain our righteousness and position with God.

:5 "Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the Law, or because you believe what you heard?

Paul is simply asking the Galatians what they are basing their faith upon, faith

in what they believe or by works and observing the Law?

:6 "Consider Abraham: He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteous-

ness."

Paul is asking the people to think about Abraham and what made him righteous

before God.

:10 "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'"

What Paul appears to be getting at is that a person is already cursed if he seeks to attain his righteousness by being obedience to following the religious laws. No one can do it! One has to keep all of the law, not just a portion. Therefore, to try is a futile attempt before one even begins.

:11-12 "Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, 'The righteous will live by faith'; The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, 'The man who does these things will live by them.'"

Revelation to Paul through Christ, dictates that no one is justified before God by the law.

:13 "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

Any attempt by anyone to live under the law and be judged by the law would be cursed, for no one can do it. That is, except Jesus, who lived a perfect life. Jesus was qualified to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins on our behalf. All of the unrighteousness of mankind was imputed unto Christ, whereas, Christ's righteousness was imputed back to us. In Christ, we have

become fully righteous and holy before a just and holy God, thereby reconciling us back into an intimate relationship with God. All because of Christ. It has nothing to do with what we have done.

:17 "What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise."

A promise is a promise- especially if it is made by God! Therefore, God's plan

has been and continues to be in place to redeem us by faith through Jesus Christ.

:19 "What, then, was the purpose of the law?"

A legitimate question to ask.

:23-24 "Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be be justified by faith."

So Paul reveals the answer: the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ.

We also find in Romans 3:20 why the law was put into place: "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law, rather, through the law we become conscious of sin."

:25 "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law."

Since Jesus justified us, we are no longer under the obligations of the Law. The same truth can be found in Colossians 2:14 "He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

:26 "You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ."

:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

From a spiritual point of view, Christ became the great equalizer for all of us. When one contemplates "unconditional love," such understanding can only bring about the thought that we are all equal in God's sight through Christ.

Key Verses for Me:

:2-3 "Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or be believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

:13 "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

:23-24 "Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be be justified by faith."

I think of the verse so many of us are familiar with- John 3:16: "For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son, that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Imagine it. God so loving us that he sent his Son to be an atoning sacrifice for us. God helped us out. Few people can recite John 3:17, but it is worth knowing for it completes the picture of God's love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace.

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the

world through him." John 3:17

Paul was strongly making the point that it isn't about our trying to live up to a righteous, moral life by living by the religious laws and rules. Because we can't do it. We are incapable of living a perfect life. God gave us the law to show us our need for Jesus. How foolish of us to think we have something that needs to be added to what Christ has already done for us on the cross. We are justified before God by faith, and faith alone. Which is great news for us. And that is the gospel!

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Walking by faith isn't always easy. But growing in the understanding of God's love

for us allows us to trust. Take a few moments and listen to Mercy Me singing

"Even If."

In his love, see you tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)