I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” – Galatians 3:2-6
Today’s key passage of Scripture is Paul’s response to the Galatians as they were saying Jesus is not enough and God’s grace is not enough for God to accept them. Instead, they insisted in performing, living up to a certain standard, and keeping the rules and regulations of the law. But Paul shuts down that kind of legalistic thinking by referring to the godfather of all Jews, Abraham. He says, “So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’” (Galatians 3:6).
Basically, Paul was reminding the legalists that God accepted Abraham despite him never having been circumcised, nor ever having kept the law because Abraham lived centuries before the law would be given to Israel through Moses. Do you know how Abraham was saved? By faith. Everyone who has ever come to God and been accepted by God has come by faith.
God wants you to start strong and finish well. God started with you by grace. You started with Him by faith. God will finish with you by grace and you will finish with Him by faith. Then, you will start strong and you will finish well.
Dear Lord, thank you that Jesus is always enough. I pray that you would remind me of this truth when I’m tempted to earn your love and acceptance and help me to remember that there’s nothing I can do in my own power to save myself. Amen.
Topics: Freedom in Christ
