Galatians 3:1-2

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:1-2

Paul was determined to teach the Galatian churches and us today that our walk with the Lord is not based on works but moves forward on faith.  The Galatians were walking away from the grace that was so clearly demonstrated in the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.  Then he asks all of us a straightforward question, “Did we receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?”   

In a way, he’s forcing us to compare the two, law and grace.  The law says, “Do!”  Grace says, “Done!” The law says, “Try!”  Grace says, “Trust!”  The law says, “Behave!”  Grace says, “Believe!”  The law points to the commandments; grace points to the Christ. The weakness of the law is the flesh; the wonder of grace is the Spirit.

Are you struggling in your walk and commitment to God?  Have you found yourself guilty of trying to complete in the flesh that which God has started in the Spirit?  Then look today to Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith, and remember what He did for us at the cross.

By faith,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw