Paul the apostle is making
his case against those he called, “Foolish Galatians.” They have
been infiltrated by people called Judaizers who have spread doctrine
that includes the keeping of the law in addition to faith in Jesus
Christ's finished work. He has asked the church members if since they
began in the Spirit are they now going to be perfected in the flesh.
Today he continues his words in chapter three and verse four by
asking them a related question. He wrote:
Have you suffered so
many things in vain? if [it be] yet in vain.
When we
receive Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, things change in our
lives. Our speech changes. Our ways change, and the places we go
changes. Oftentimes even our friends change. These new ways of living
sometimes invite suffering into our lives because of them. Paul knew
this about the church members in Galatia and not only did they suffer
from not keeping traditions of the church or religious laws, but they
also suffered for their faith. He asks the question, “Have you
suffered so many things in vain?” In other words, have you gone
through all this personal denial, following of traditions, and
managing rules for nothing? Is there no value in the keeping of these
ways? Paul appeals to their reason as he asks this additional
rhetorical question, “Have you suffered so many things in vain?”
They had suffered. Was there no reason for it at all?
He
continues, “if it be yet in vain.” Paul allows for the
idea that this suffering might not be in vain at all. Christ
suffered. Was His suffering in vain? Disciples suffered. Was their
suffering in vain? Paul mentions the idea of suffering with Jesus in
the book of Philippians in chapter three and verse ten:
That I may know him,
and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Perhaps
as we consider this we might surmise that neither Jesus nor the
disciples suffered in vain, however, if there was suffering for the
church members in Galatia because they were once again attempting to
“earn” salvation, then their suffering might have been in vain.
Jesus already suffered, and now only belief in His finished work is
required for righteousness. All other attempts to acquire
righteousness are empty and in vain.
Have we
suffered in any manner for our faith in Jesus Christ? Have we
suffered needlessly because we have attempted to obtain righteousness
before God that can only be given by Jesus? Are their man-made rules
and regulations which have nothing to do with righteousness before
God that we impose upon ourselves or others? Maybe we should meditate
today about our ways, traditions, speech, and travels, and once again
align ourselves to know “the fellowship of His suffering”
rather than suffering for that which is in vain.
Next time we will
see what Paul has to say about miracles, 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
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