August 19th, Galations 3

Key Verse:
¹You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. ²I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? ³Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? ⁴Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? ⁵Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? 
-Galations 3:1-5

Central Theme
Check yo-self before you wreck yo-self

In this passage Paul is addressing the Galations who have very quickly wandered away from the truth of the Gospel. They have allowed others to come and persuade them that not only are they saved by faith, but also by works. Now, true....faith without works is dead. However, works will not achieve one's salvation.

Now....I think we can all agree that we understand that we are saved by faith and not by works. It is through our very trust and belief in Jesus Christ that gives us our salvation. No matter what we do, achieve, or attain.....only our faith and trust in Jesus will save us. Therefore, I don't think we need to dwell on that part of this passage. However, I would like to challenge you on this other part.

The Galations were being mislead by other false teachers. Paul starts out by saying, " You foolish Galations, who has bewitched you?" I believe this passage not only fortifies that our salvation is in Christ alone and what He did on the cross. But I also believe it's Paul's way of saying that we have to be careful in who or what we listen to. Even with Jerry and I, we have to take responsibility for what we hear and decipher what is truth. When we get to heaven and approach the throne, I don't believe we will be able to say...."well that's what Jerry said. I was just following him." We have to take action ourselves and get into the word daily so that we are not ignorant to what God has said. Therefore......Check up on some things that are said. Challenge leaders in a loving way if you think it's questionable. Also, be opened minded to the fact that your opinion isn't always the right one either.