WEDNESDAY February 10, 2021

Suffering in Vain

Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
Galatians 3:3-4

The Roman government persecuted Christians tremendously for their faith in Jesus Christ. The Jews also persecuted them. Christians were brought to trial. They either bowed to Caesar declaring him Lord or professed Christ as Lord. Christians who were true to Christ were killed. Many were thrown into the lions’ den for their faith. Christians suffered for the Gospel. Following Christ by faith was not cheap––it cost them their lives.

Paul caused the Galatians to think about what they had suffered for Christ, as if to say, “Have you suffered in vain?” The Gospel message proclaimed salvation. It was to be accepted by faith in Christ. Would the Galatians faith be made of no effect because of works?

Now that they had begun in the Spirit, did they think they could be made perfect by their own works? No possible way! They could not start their lives in the Spirit and end in the flesh. The Galatians started well, but they needed to end well––in the Spirit of God.

It is the same with us. Believers in Christ must continue to trust in God, walk in obedience to His Word, and believe in Jesus Christ by faith. When they fail and sin, they are to confess their sin to God, repent, and get back in fellowship with God immediately (1 John 1:9). God desires they move forward and continue to do what He has called them to do. The devil will try to condemn them, but they just get back on track (Romans 8:1).

Honestly, trying to be perfect by the works of the flesh is like trying to bring to completion your Christian life by your own human achievements and religious accomplishments. We can do nothing apart from the Lord. All the glory and the honor for what we have been enabled to accomplish must go to Him. Salvation and the works we do for God in this life is all of grace, nothing of us. We should be lost for words for all He has done!

You might as well hope to get to heaven by flying up in a balloon, as to get there by your own good works.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!