Galatians Chapter Three
Introduction
The first question was Galatians 3:2 “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” This is the first question God asked me as I sought Him just recently.
The second question was Galatians 3:3 “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?”
Galatians 3:5 is the third question He asked me. “He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”
God continued to speak to me through His word …Galatians 3:6-9 “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they, which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, “In thee shall all nations be blessed.” So then they that be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Notice what Galatians 3:10 says, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” What about Galatians 3:11 & 12? “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. And, the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them.”
The importance of walking in faith is more than we realize. We all seem to say yes we are walking in faith but are we? Let’s go on and see what else God showed me.
Galatians 3: 22-26 “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith, which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
I would hope, as you can see by now, it is only through faith in Jesus that we are children of God and not because of our works. Where are we going with all this you may be asking? We are to examine ourselves by what God just showed us. Are you trying to live up to others expectations in church, at bible study, or at any other meeting of a Christian nature? Know that when you accepted Jesus and gave your life to Him that it was by faith not of works. Where are you today? Have you found yourself hindered by others in the Christian community? The following is a question to us from God.
Galatians 5:7 & 8 “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion (belief) comes not of him that called you.” Galatians 5:9 “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
Have you been walking in the Spirit by faith and someone or many others have, because of their persuasions, caused you to trip up and start walking in the flesh? Or shall I say challenged your authority and caused you to question your walk with the Lord thereby, causing you to stumble and try to explain how important you are? A little doubt can cause more doubt until you find yourself in the flesh. Leaven is like putting yeast in the dough when making bread. It looks real small but enough of it will cause the dough to rise.
Yet, God has a word of encouragement in Galatians 5:10 “I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.”
Get away from or do not give place to those that would question your faith in God and try to put you on a spot in an effort to pull you into the flesh and under the law.
Remember Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Ephesians 4:17-19 “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”
Though a person is a Christian, it does not mean that they are not walking in the vanity of their own mind or that their understanding is darkened. It says, in the bible that we are to try the Spirits to see if they are of God.
See? There is a way out of this dilemma. You do not have to walk around questioning whether others around you accept you or not. You are accepted in Christ through faith and not of works. God can do more things through you as you walk in faith with him than can be accomplished through all the works one can try do.
A final reminder: Romans 8:14-21 “So that they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
Why should we walk by faith? First, we are saved through our faith in Jesus, secondly, II Corinthians 5:7 says, ”For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Finally, We can conclude that there is hope for us to go on walking in faith not by the law.
Romans 8:14-21 “For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cay, Abba, Farther.”
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Hallelujah! We can go on because we realize that our faith in Jesus and walking by faith keeps us free from the bondage of the law. So when someone tries to question your positioning or your walk with the Lord, you can say… I have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear… that I do not live up to your expectations. My expectation is from God. As long as I walk with Him in faith then I have all the acknowledgement I need, thank you.
Even more, God wants us to know Romans 8:19 “For the earnest expectation of the creature waitheth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly; but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” The animals are looking for the manifestation of the sons of Gad…Us… to walk in faith so that they can also be blessed. So come on, what do you say? Let’s get out from under the bondage of the law and walk by Faith.
Until Next Time,
Rev. Marilyn Marinelli