The Galatian believers compromised their freedom with legalism. Angrily the Apostle Paul wrote, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Gal 3:1) “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Gal 5:1) (Yoke of slavery meaning law)
The book of Galatians exposes the most popular substitute for spiritual living that we have in our churches today-legalism, mixing law and grace. Millions of believers think they are spiritual based upon what they do and what they don’t do, their behavior.
Legalism leads to some very odd but logical conclusions. Legalism as a means of control, teaches that Jesus gave you a standing with God, but it’s your job to keep it. It further teaches the gift was free, but it is up to you to hold on to it through performance. Actually, under legalism you would be performing much harder than you would be in any other religion, because the standard (which is Jesus Christ) is much higher.
If you are a born again believer, you have been given the very nature of Jesus Christ.
You have been “created in His righteousness. It isn’t up to you to improve yourself, but instead to recognize and appropriate the truth concerning who you already are.
There is only one who has ever lived the Christian life and there is only one who ever will. His name is Jesus and He will live His life in and through you,…by faith.
“But don’t we have to do our part?” the legalist will ask. Of course we do. Our part is to trust and obey. It isn’t a passive lifestyle at all. If you think it is, I challenge you to try it. Trusting continues to be one of the most challenging aspects of our faith. It is easier for us to do something, to do anything, than to trust.
We are like the Apostle Peter chopping off a soldier’s ear, blind to the big picture. Do something, even if it’s wrong. That fits more comfortably for many. However, that isn’t what we’re called to do. We’re called to trust in the life of the vine…it’s called abiding life. It’s called abiding.
LIFE LESSON: The Bible tells you to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you failed the test?” (II Cor 13:5) It doesn’t get any better than that. That is the mystery of our faith. Jesus is the only one who can be Jesus, and He will be glad to be Jesus in you when you trust in Him to live His life in and through you by faith.
We appreciate your continued prayer and financial support. Thank you for your faithfulness.