Reflections

 1You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

 2This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

 3Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

 4Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain?

 5So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  Galatians 3:1-5

Paul admonished the Galatians for trying to maintain their salvation through the observance of the law after they had received salvation by grace through faith.  Instead of relying on the faith that saved them they were now trying to observe the law in such a way to maintain their salvation.  Instead of relying on the Holy Spirit they were no relying on human effort.

Are you guilty of this?  Many Christians try to walk in works and in their own effort to either please God or do the things God has called them to do.  They do not rely on the Holy Spirit.  We are no longer under the Old Testament covenant we are under the New Testament covenant of God’s grace and love.  Jesus paid it all for us.  His righteousness has been given to us and we have the Holy Spirit given to us also.  God never intended for us to conform ourselves into the image of Christ but we are being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is by grace through faith that we are saved, not by works or observing the law.  This way no man can boast.  The same grace that saved us is the same grace that will enable us to live according to God’s plan and purpose.