The Beginning, Part 2
Galatians 3:2 (NKJV)
Galatians 3:6-7 (NKJV)
Genesis 15:6 (NKJV)
John 3:16 (NKJV)
When we look at Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia, we begin to see the character of God’s faith and the extent of His faithfulness to us. In the third chapter, Paul poses a very difficult question to the members who were “off track” (according to the first chapter of Galatians). If you remember, the Judiazers had convinced many of them that in order to be saved they needed to also adopt the law of Moses. That meant they believed that needed to work at obeying the law.
Throughout Galatians, Paul continued to challenge that claim.
In order to do that, Paul posed a difficult and direct question to the members of the churches. In Galatians 3:2, he asked, “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”
Paul knew this was one of the most pertinent questions he would ask them. He wanted to know if they believed they are saved by faith alone.
This question is a difficult one to answer still today. There have been times in my life when others challenged me to believe in various causes related to what they believed to be true about God. I have been asked, point blank, if I support and believe in various causes. I knew as a pastor’s wife if I didn’t agree with them, they would claim I was not a true believer. Knowing that, I chose to side-step the answer. In other words I didn’t answer it directly. I posed a return question.
Essentially, I followed Paul’s lead in Galatians 3:2. I asked if my answer would relate to the workings of the law or if it would relate to salvation by faith alone? That question brought silence.
In Galatians 3:2 we see the character of God as it relates to God’s gift of faith in Jesus. God sent Jesus to earth, Jesus became love in the flesh, and died for us. Believing and receiving God’s grace is an attribute of God given to us freely. It is not earned. It’s a gift. Believing in God/Jesus is something we accept by faith.
We can’t be good enough to earn it.
A few verses later, in Galatians 3:6-7, Paul wrote “just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.”
Being educated as a Jewish Pharisee, Paul knew the Old Testament scriptures by heart (because memorizing the Hebrew Scriptures was a requirement of being a Pharisee). He knew that faith, the faith of Abraham preceded the Law of Moses. He knew that by faith Abraham received the righteousness of God. Paul quoted Genesis 15:6, that says, “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Paul quoted Genesis 15:6 to remind the believers in Galatia when we believe and receive we become righteous in God’s eyes. We become the sons of Abraham.
Abraham was not given a list of things to do. He believed in God.
In addition to that, the Law of Moses, the Ten Commandments as we call them today are a gift God gave us to guide us through life. They are not a requirement to our salvation.
We do not work to receive Jesus. We believe and receive Jesus as a free gift.
That was Paul’s point and it speaks eons about the true character of God. It says that God loves us enough that He sent His son to die for us so that we might have life. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
God’s faithfulness to us and love for us is difficult to understand. We don’t need to understand it. By God’s faithfulness we believe it and we receive it. Like the faith of a child, we take it from God and we love God for giving it.
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Thank God
Thank God for His faithfulness. Thank God for giving us the free gift of salvation. Thank God for sending Jesus. While it’s not a requirement for your salvation, God really likes it when we tell Him we love Him in return. So, in return tell God you love Him.
In Jesus, Deborah
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