Saturday, March 1: Galatians 3- The Gospel comes through faith in Christ.

Paul hammers the faith (believing) aspect of the Gospel home in this chapter. He hammers it not once, or twice but continually throughout chapter 3.

·         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? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? (2-5)

·         Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. …  So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (6-7,9)

·         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." 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. (13-14)

·         But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. …  So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.  (22,24-25)

·         You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  (26-28)

Reading back over these key verses, which amount to virtually the entire chapter, it seems like Paul uses a rapid-fire pneumatic nailer to secure his premise that the Gospel comes by faith in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel is gift, not a human effort or work; it is by faith in Jesus! And it is for everybody, Jew & Gentile, slave & free, male & female.

So if you have faith in Jesus, thank God for His gift and the Gospel. If you do not feel as if you have faith in Jesus Christ, why don’t you reach out to Him and grab hold of the gift of faith God is holding out to you right now.

Thank You, Lord, God,  for the Gospel, for the message that a person can be restored into connection and relationship with You, Lord, God by simple and honest faith in Jesus Christ.

Alleluia. Amen.