Galatians 3:1,2 (How Were You Saved?)
“You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” –Galatians 3:1,2
Here is a difficulty for a lot of “Christians” in reading and understanding Galatians: we often do not effectively reach people with a message preaching faith. Too many people assume they are in a right relationship with God as a result of works; even people from traditions emphasizing “faith only.” We add works to the mix. The first is a prayer, The Prayer.
How many people think that they are saved as a result of a prayer—“asking Jesus” into their hearts? We have given this prayer a sacramental power.
There may in fact be people who are living a life of obedience to the lordship of Christ without having ever “prayed the prayer.” The important thing to emphasize is surrender to Christ and a confession of His lordship. Neither of these things requires a formulaic utterance. Unfortunately we have hung everything on just such an utterance and not on living a lifestyle. Empty “Works” instead of the natural life that precedes out of the change that true faith brings.
What other works do we impose on our faith?
Here is a difficulty for a lot of “Christians” in reading and understanding Galatians: we often do not effectively reach people with a message preaching faith. Too many people assume they are in a right relationship with God as a result of works; even people from traditions emphasizing “faith only.” We add works to the mix. The first is a prayer, The Prayer.
How many people think that they are saved as a result of a prayer—“asking Jesus” into their hearts? We have given this prayer a sacramental power.
There may in fact be people who are living a life of obedience to the lordship of Christ without having ever “prayed the prayer.” The important thing to emphasize is surrender to Christ and a confession of His lordship. Neither of these things requires a formulaic utterance. Unfortunately we have hung everything on just such an utterance and not on living a lifestyle. Empty “Works” instead of the natural life that precedes out of the change that true faith brings.
What other works do we impose on our faith?
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