Setting – Now that Paul sets the foundation that justification comes from faith, he now confronts the Galatians in chapter 3.
Content – Paul’s rebuke is summed up in verse 3, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” He is wondering who “bewitched” (mislead) them, which was the Judaizers. He questions them by asking (v. 2), “…did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” This is a rhetorical question, because while he was with them, they received the Holy Spirit. He reminds them that the Spirit is received by faith and not works of the law.
Application – Paul reminds us that our justification does not come through doing, but by believing. But the issue of not wanting to do the right things, but doing them anyhow, wouldn’t that be considering works? Philippians 12:2, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling” Once saved, each of us possess the Holy Spirit who prods us to do the right things (“the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”). It’s up to us to follow His lead and “workout” the salvation that is within us.
We have been justified and can not earn more justification, as Christ said, “It is finished”. But we can conquer with the Law by our life.
Our salvation comes with a gift that we can either learn to use or let it collect dust. If we let it collect dust, then I question if you actually have the gift to collect dust on?
Content – Paul’s rebuke is summed up in verse 3, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” He is wondering who “bewitched” (mislead) them, which was the Judaizers. He questions them by asking (v. 2), “…did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” This is a rhetorical question, because while he was with them, they received the Holy Spirit. He reminds them that the Spirit is received by faith and not works of the law.
Application – Paul reminds us that our justification does not come through doing, but by believing. But the issue of not wanting to do the right things, but doing them anyhow, wouldn’t that be considering works? Philippians 12:2, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling” Once saved, each of us possess the Holy Spirit who prods us to do the right things (“the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”). It’s up to us to follow His lead and “workout” the salvation that is within us.
We have been justified and can not earn more justification, as Christ said, “It is finished”. But we can conquer with the Law by our life.
Our salvation comes with a gift that we can either learn to use or let it collect dust. If we let it collect dust, then I question if you actually have the gift to collect dust on?
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