Foolish Galatians.
The religious mindset is that we start by faith, but we perfect ourselves in the flesh; however; there is nothing in the flesh that can make us righteous.
In Galatians 3:1, we have Paul’s greatest recorded rebuke in the scriptures:
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth,1 before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?” (Galatians 3:1)2
Can you see that If we use the law today on believers, it leads to control and manipulation which is nothing less than witchcraft? Paul was outraged with the Galatians for succumbing to it, and he pleaded with them to return to the true Gospel that they received from him. He went on to say,
“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?” (Galatians 3:2)
He’s asking, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit because you kept the Ten Commandments? Or did your receive the Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ alone?”
“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3)
The word “flesh” is speaking of self-effort. Paul is asking, “Do you think you can add to the righteousness of Jesus?! Is there anything in your flesh that can make you righteous?” The religious mindset is that we start by faith, but then we have to keep our end of the bargain by keeping the law.
This is the sentiment:
“Lord, I promise this next week I am going to faithfully pray an hour each morning. And, Lord, I believe on the basis of ME keeping my promise to You, YOU are going to bless me. I believe that after all that prayer, I am going to be SO righteous by the end of this week that the windows of heaven are just going to open right up over me!”
Praying is good, but believers don’t pray to BE righteous. We pray because we ARE righteous. Let’s pray, “Thank you Lord that You have already blessed me with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. I lack nothing. You have given me everything I need for life and godliness. You have not withheld any good thing from me! I am under grace!”
(from pages 253-254 of Unveiling Jesus)
Want more from Tricia Gunn? Check out excerpts from the Unveiling Jesus 20-part series!
Unveiling Jesus, by Tricia Gunn, is a verse by verse study of the pure gospel of grace. It’s an amazing journey of love, identity, and freedom in Christ.
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1“obey the truth” is omitted in the oldest manuscripts
2All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
