You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This 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? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? So 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, NASB)
I’ve probably written this before, but I love how Paul gets to the heart of the matter … and doesn’t mince words.
The Christians in Galatia had been “bewitched.” Many of them had actually seen Jesus crucified, yet they’d fallen prey to false teaching. Works, they were told, “perfected” their faith. They were taught that they received the Spirit through works, not faith. And Paul called them “foolish.”
And rightfully so. Jesus Himself made it clear. Eternal salvation comes through His own sacrificial death (John 3:16). The Father, part of the triune God, gives each of His followers the Spirit—also part of the triune God (Luke 11:13), and it is through the Spirit we are reborn (John 3:6). The Spirit gives life (John 6:63), and He dwells in us (John 14:17) and helps us through each day (John 14:26).
Jesus didn’t even mention “works.” But somehow, some in the early church decided that what Christians did was more important than who they were in Christ. Works were more important than faith.
It was foolish then. And it’s foolish now.
No comments:
Post a Comment