Faith over works
Galatians 3:1-9
“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 Andthe Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”
I love how clearly Paul communicates here. He’s making the point that how can something that began by faith through the Spirit now be developed by works (the flesh)?
Isn’t this an easy trap to fall into? The religious spirit looks at what we have to do to earn, or secure, the blessing of God, the promises of God and the favor of God. Yet these things come to Sons and Daughters through faith in Jesus who made it possible for us to be children of God. It’s in revelation of and faith in the Son of God and His completed work on the cross.
We don’t seek Him for His blessings, yet salvation, healing (body AND soul), and deliverance are our inheritance as Sons and Daughters. Jesus already paid the price. He bore it on His body. This passage specifically mentions “miracles among you”. Wow! A religious spirit contributes the miracles that God does through us to works of the law (we were “good enough” for God to use us). Let me be clear, no one is good enough on their own, and no one possess’s the power to perform miracles. It’s Jesus Christ alone who conquered all through His shed blood and resurrection, and He chooses to flow through us as conduits of His grace via the Holy Spirit.
If you’re struggling to just believe God today, and maybe find yourself trying to “do” good enough, or all the “right” things, or look a certain way thinking it makes you more “Christian”, I encourage you to repent, and then ask the Holy Spirit to increase your faith. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word. Receive the Word today, thank Him for His precious blood that finished the work, and receive according to His kindness by faith in Him!
