There are times in our faith journey where we may struggle and slip into some old thinking.  This was certainly the case with the Galatian church.  Paul reminds them that their connection to God has nothing to do with what they do but what Jesus has already done.  They have stumbled into thinking and teaching that Gentiles needed to do certain things to become followers of Jesus.  Paul reminds them of their heritage of faith that goes back to Abraham and of Jesus’ work on the cross.  Let’s look at Galatians 3 together today. 

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 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? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 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? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

The question for all of us is why is this passage important for us today?  It is clearly a reminder for us to rely upon the grace of God and Jesus’ finished work on the cross.  We need to avoid the struggle of the Galatians and not add any steps to following Jesus.  We should all be so filled with gratitude for the work of Christ that we share His love and message with others. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave