Reading Plan:
Galatians 3
Our Thoughts:
When I was a child, I thought being a Christian was about going to church and following the rules. I thought that if I was good and just said a quick apology prayer when I did something wrong, then I would be good enough to be a Christian. I literally made a list of everything I did wrong so that I could ask for forgiveness in my bedtime prayers. No matter how hard I tried to be good and follow the rules, my list kept growing longer and longer. I felt completely hopeless!
The Galatian church was having a similar misunderstanding of grace. The Galatians had turned from Paul’s teaching of the gospel to a false gospel that enslaved them to the law. Paul gets heated when addressing the “foolish Galatians” about their love of the law. He asks, “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard?” They were trusting their ability to obey the law to save them instead of grace through faith.
Back in the Old Testament after the Israelites left Egypt, God gave His people the Law as a guardian until Christ came. The Law revealed the Israelites’ desperate need for a Savior, and God had already planned a better way for His people; Jesus was the better way. We see God’s care for us when He sent His son Jesus to be born under the law, overcome the law on the cross, and deliver each of us from the law. God does not want to test us to see if we deserve His love! He wants us to come as we are and believe His promises. Our old selves die when we come to faith in Jesus, but He does not leave us in death and destruction. He makes us new to join Him in His kingdom work.
As a child, I trusted in my own pitiful “goodness” more than Jesus’ perfect gift of grace. Jesus came to free us from the law, but I was not willing to leave my bondage to sin and the law. I am so thankful that God persistently seeks us even when we foolishly think we can do a better job of saving ourselves. I felt hopeless as a child because I was trusting in myself, but now as a follower of Christ, I have hope through Jesus. It is our privilege to join God in His kingdom work and share our only hope in Christ with all people.
More Questions:
- Are there any areas of your life you have difficulty trusting God?
- How is God at work around you? What can you do to join Him in His work?
- Who needs to hear about the hope we have in Jesus? Invite them to join you at House Church or to a Sunday morning worship experience.
Prayer:
Lord, you are compassionate and powerful. You love me far more than I could ever imagine, and I thank you for demonstrating your great love through your Son, Jesus. Thank you for the hope you have given me in Jesus.WhenIstruggle with control, doubt, or insecurity, remind me of your faithfulness. Please open my eyes to opportunities to join you in your work and give me boldness to join you in your purpose and plans. Thank you for using me in your Kingdom work.Amen.
Author: Amy Fontenot