Devo Galatians 3

Galatians 3: 1-14

1. You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus

Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2. I would like to learn just one thing

from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what

you heard? 3. Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now

trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4. Have you suffered so much for

nothing—if it really was for nothing? 5. Does God give you his Spirit and work

miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what

you heard? 6. Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him

as righteousness.” 7. Understand, then, that those who believe are children of

Abraham. 8. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith,

and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed

through you.” 9. So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man

of faith. 10. All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written:

“Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book

of the Law.” 11. Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The

righteous will live by faith.” 12. The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The

man who does these things will live by them.” 13. Christ redeemed us from the

curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone

who is hung on a tree.” 14. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to

Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we

might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Meditation:

1. The Galatians had been taught that they had received the Holy Spirit by faith

and not by obeying the law. However, they still thought it was too simplistic

to be saved by faith only. They wanted to have some rules and creeds to follow

in order to feel closer to God. Spiritual exercises such as prayer and Bible

ready as well as serving may help us grow spiritually but it can never replace

the work of the Holy Spirit. By raising some pointed questions (vv1-4), Paul

tried to help them to restore Christ as the center of their faith.

2. Do I think it not realistic to depend on faith alone for salvation? Would I

think that perhaps a bit more work on my part may bring more assurance?

Personal Note:

In our church, we may impose things like doing devos, praying, singing praise songs, leading small group, leading praise songs, going to TC, etc...  Doing those things are not your ticket to heaven.  You are not saved from doing those works.  We are saved by the power of the Holy Spirit.  We disciplined ourselves spiritually because of our love for God.  We are already loved and accepted by God.  We do those things as a response to His love and grace.  

For example, let's say I want to cultivate deeper bonding and friendship with Alex and Ryan and the homies and I know they like to play PS3.  First of all, I have to make a decision that I want to be their buddies.  Secondly, the homies we know are full of love and acceptance, so they accepted me to be their friend.  Thirdly, I try to do or at least try to understand the things they do because I care.  It would never make sense if our bonding depends solely on how well I do the things that the homies like to do.

Our salvation depends on God's love for us and our faith alone.  We start with faith that the Holy Spirit will guide us in our relationship with God.  From there, anything we do are a response to the love and joy we received.