MONDAY February 8, 2021

Foolishness

This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 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 3:2-4

Paul explained the relationship between the Law and the grace of God. In short, the Gospel is the justification of a person for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a result of one’s faith in Christ, not a result of trying to obey the Law. The Law will condemn you!

Judaizers preached a gospel of works and not grace. Remember, the Law is a tutor, the schoolmaster which points out a person’s sin to them. It shows they are guilty. Anyone who tries to live by the Law will have to keep it perfectly. If they miss keeping the Law in only one point, then they become guilty before God: For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10).

Paul asked some rhetorical questions to the Galatians. He argued his point by appealing to their memory. What was their personal experience when they came to know Christ? Were they saved by works––the law, or after they heard the Gospel by a step of faith?

Paul also spoke about the inward working of the Spirit in their hearts. How had they received the Spirit of God? It was by faith! The Holy Spirit was evidence of their salvation. Paul even had his own testimony, an account of his powerful conversion to Christ by faith––not by works (Acts 9).

It is just like any one of us! How did you come to know Christ? How were you saved? It was through the grace of God, by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit touched your life. No one can be saved apart from the Holy Spirit’s work.

Never allow people to persuade you with divisive words that cause you to stray from the Gospel of grace. Be careful of arguments about Calvinism or Arminianism. Neither be persuaded by false doctrines––Mormonism or the Jehovah’s Witnesses––as both teach doctrines of works. Why would you be so foolish and make your faith in Christ empty––to be made vain?

We should no more tolerate false doctrine than we would sin.
~J.C. Ryle~

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