Knowing how we have come to
know God is important because it will mean the difference between
eternal life with God or eternal separation from Him. If we by our
own right doings could be saved, then there is no need for Jesus, but
if there are no amount of “good” deeds or “right” acts that
will accelerate us into a relationship with God, then we are in
trouble if we do not find one. We are blessed because Jesus who lived
a perfect life sacrificed Himself on our behalf, and now through
faith in His finished work by His Spirit our faith is perfected. Paul
continues to address the church members of Galatia in chapter three
and verse three where he once again labels them and asks them another
question. He wrote:
Are you so foolish?
having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?
In verse one of chapter three we saw where Paul said, “O foolish
Galatians...” and asked them a question concerning who
bewitched them. Now only two verses later he asks, “Are you so
foolish?”When something is referred to twice in the Bible we
would do well to pay particular attention. Paul tries to reason with
the church members and wonders at their not understanding and being
unwise.
Paul
continues, “having
begun in the Spirit, ...” Paul
knew what Jesus said in the gospel of John in chapter six and verse
forty-four,
“No man can come to
me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise
him up at the last day.”
No one
can come to Jesus unless God the Father draws them into a
relationship with Him. It is by God's Spirit that a person comes to
the knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and the Galatians
were no different. Except for the Spirit of God drawing them, the
church members would not know Jesus, and neither would we. They began
in the Spirit, and so does anyone who comes to know Jesus Christ as
their personal Savior.
Paul's
contention and question to them was, “are you now made perfect
by the flesh?” This rhetorical question appeals to their sense
of reason. Paul knew there was no other way than to begin a
relationship with Jesus Christ other than through the Spirit, and to
now think that they would become perfected through acts of the flesh
would be a digression. To commit acts of righteousness as merit for
continuing in fellowship with God would only go back to the very
reason that Jesus was needed in the first place: they nor we can keep
the law of God perfectly. Having begun their walk with God in the
Spirit, there was no other way to continue that relationship except
through the Spirit.
So what
about us? Do we digress in our own relationship with God? Is our
relationship with Him now based upon our works, or is it based upon
His Spirit ruling and reigning in us? Do we work for righteousness,
or do we live in Him unto righteousness? Personal examination and
evaluation is necessary and inventory should be taken as we consider
whether Paul would ask us, “O foolish..., having begun in the
Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?”
Next time we will
look at what Paul says about suffering in vain, so read ahead, and
let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it
locally
at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
No comments:
Post a Comment