Setting – Paul questions the Galatians asking if they are going back to the world’s ways.
Content – After Paul provides evidence that our righteousness comes from faith, he asked the Galatians if they are returning back to the (v.9-NLT) “…weak and useless spiritual powers of this world”. He points out that they were previously (v. 8-NLT) “slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist”, but now they have been found by God. Since they have been found by God (v. 8-NLT) “why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual powers of this world?”
They were trying to please God not by their faith but (v. 10-NLT) “by what you do or don't do on certain days or months or seasons or years.” Paul was concerned for their condition and (v. 11-NLT) “I am afraid that all my hard work for you was worth nothing”
Application – We need to avoid the tenancy to please God by how the world would try to please God. We see that non-believers feel that they need to clean up their act before coming to church and just the opposite is true. Although it’s a noble effort, it’s the Holy Spirit who successfully directs a person to a more holy life. Paul has already made the point that our faith is considered righteous before God, so trying to please him ‘doing’ does not gain ‘righteous points’. Our ministry needs to be driven by our faith, and not the idea of doing ministry will help our faith. It’s really a heart and faith issue. Faith that God accepts us how we are. With the heart, we need to truly evaluate why we do what we do.
Content – After Paul provides evidence that our righteousness comes from faith, he asked the Galatians if they are returning back to the (v.9-NLT) “…weak and useless spiritual powers of this world”. He points out that they were previously (v. 8-NLT) “slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist”, but now they have been found by God. Since they have been found by God (v. 8-NLT) “why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual powers of this world?”
They were trying to please God not by their faith but (v. 10-NLT) “by what you do or don't do on certain days or months or seasons or years.” Paul was concerned for their condition and (v. 11-NLT) “I am afraid that all my hard work for you was worth nothing”
Application – We need to avoid the tenancy to please God by how the world would try to please God. We see that non-believers feel that they need to clean up their act before coming to church and just the opposite is true. Although it’s a noble effort, it’s the Holy Spirit who successfully directs a person to a more holy life. Paul has already made the point that our faith is considered righteous before God, so trying to please him ‘doing’ does not gain ‘righteous points’. Our ministry needs to be driven by our faith, and not the idea of doing ministry will help our faith. It’s really a heart and faith issue. Faith that God accepts us how we are. With the heart, we need to truly evaluate why we do what we do.
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