Galatians 3
Scripture
Galatians 3:3
“How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?”
Observation-What does it say?
Paul writes to the the believers in Galatia, reminding them that it is not through their works, but through their faith in Jesus Christ that brings them salvation. Paul reminds them that it was Abraham's faith, and not his works, that accounted Him as righteous before God-(vs. 6). Paul implores the people of Galatia to let go of the old Jewish belief of being made holy by trying to keep and observe the law. Instead, Paul encourages them to return to the true foundation of their faith...their faith in Christ Jesus alone.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Allow the works in my life to flow freely from my relationship with Jesus/The Holy Spirit.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Too many times in life we get caught up trying to be holy, and worst of all we try doing it on our own will power. What we end up doing is living a life based on "jumping through spiritual hoops", or checking off our "Christian things-to-do-list" in order for us to feel like we are holy or feel like better Christ followers. And what usually ends up happening when we try to accomplish these things? We end up failing or we just simply run out of steam to do them anymore. I mean, why even try if we are just going to fail or burn out anyway? Are we forgetting the fact that we are already redeemed as holy because of our faith in Jesus?
Enter The Holy Spirit. As Christ Followers, are we forgetting that Jesus left us His Holy Spirit when he ascended into Heaven? Life as a Christ Follower is hard enough. Why try to live it on our own? Why not use the things that God gives us to help us along life's journeys? We have His Holy Spirit and His people. So let's start out by opening up our relationship to His Holy Spirit. Allow our love for the One who saved us (by His grace), be the driving force that causes us to be obedient to Him. Let our faith and love for Him be the one that changes our mindset from "things I have to do", to "things I want to do".
Life Application
God has equipped me with all the tools I need in life. It's time I start using them.
Father God I come to You today with a humble heart to ask You for Your forgiveness. Forgive me for the pride that I may have for thinking I can do life without you. Forgive me Lord for ever thinking that it is my good works that can bring me salvation. Forgive me for any selfish ambition behind them. May Your Holy Spirit remove those thoughts. Allow Your Spirit to transform me to do things for You freely out of the love I have for You, because of the love You have for me. In Your Holy name I pray, Amen.