Welcome George!
Looks like I will have to go back to Berean (shameless plug) and get some more books...it will be my third trip as our group has now reached 10. Thanks to God for growing our group and adding to our number.
With urgency and intensity, the apostle Paul admonished believers in Galatia to remember the fundamental truth of Christianity: Just as we came to Christ by faithe alone, so now we walk with Him by faith alone. Religious works, no matter how great, do not merit approval from God.
Galatians 3:1-9
Galatians 3:1-9
"Oh 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 works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? - Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain - if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. (NKJV)
Paul used some pretty strong language to the Galatians to make a point that we need to reflect on today: who/what has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth?
What is getting in the way of you exercising your faith in Christ? Have you ever really thought about the love of Christ? If you have for any length of time, it is ridiculous to think that we can comprehend it.
Picture this, everyone that you come in contact with - you love. Not in a fleshy way that we look at love, but a deep abiding care and concern for each person that you come in contact with.
You want nothing more than to be your best for them, to put yourself out, to help them, and comfort them. You do not get to choose who or when or why.
It is love all the time for everyone, regardless of how you are treated, regardless of if you feel like it and regardless if you get it back (most times you won't) --- oh and then you get to die. Not of old age, but you will willingly lay down your life in the most horrific type of prolonged agony that you can imagine. Think any one of the latest horror flicks.
Oops, forgot one part, you do not get to choose who you are dying for...it is for everyone equally, even your worst enemy.
What should our response to that kind of love be?
Follow the rules, don't drink, don't swear, go to church on Sunday, serve on a ministry team, keep our list of don'ts and our list of do's in order? How about love Him in return? How? Get in to His Word and He will show you. Just do not add anything to it and remember the JOY of your salvation!
Stay Strong
1Jn2:17
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