The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Galatians 3:3,
"Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?"
Paul chastised these Galatian believers for pursuing God by keeping the law. False teachers, Judaizers, had come into their midst and convinced them they needed to keep requirements of the Mosaic law now that they were Christians. Paul questions them that since they began their new life in Christ by faith, why would they go back to the old law God gave Moses (the "means of the flesh")? This includes the big 10 (the ten commandments).
Paul said that no one was ever justified by keeping the law, verse 11, rather, only those who rely on faith, verse 9.
Interestingly, Paul points out that salvation by faith preceded the giving of the law by 430 years. "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 the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise." Verses 17-18.
Paul sums up these thoughts with the comment, "Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." Verses 21-22.
How happy this makes me! If being saved from God's wrath depended on my performance before him in keeping his law, I would be utterly hopeless! How wonderful his promise to me is assured by what Paul said in verse 14, "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."
"Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?"
Paul chastised these Galatian believers for pursuing God by keeping the law. False teachers, Judaizers, had come into their midst and convinced them they needed to keep requirements of the Mosaic law now that they were Christians. Paul questions them that since they began their new life in Christ by faith, why would they go back to the old law God gave Moses (the "means of the flesh")? This includes the big 10 (the ten commandments).
Paul said that no one was ever justified by keeping the law, verse 11, rather, only those who rely on faith, verse 9.
Interestingly, Paul points out that salvation by faith preceded the giving of the law by 430 years. "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 the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise." Verses 17-18.
Paul sums up these thoughts with the comment, "Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." Verses 21-22.
How happy this makes me! If being saved from God's wrath depended on my performance before him in keeping his law, I would be utterly hopeless! How wonderful his promise to me is assured by what Paul said in verse 14, "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."
How wonderful is that?!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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