You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 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? —Galatians 3:1-5
In his rebuke to the Galatians, Paul used the idea of receiving the gifts of the Spirit by faith and not works as analogous to receiving justification by faith and not works. This whole idea of grace is completely contrary to our natural way of thinking—the idea that the gifts, even the gift of salvation, can be given on the basis of grace through faith alone and not with reference or regard to meritorious efforts. Every other religion besides Christianity has at its core a prescription for some kind of salvation or union with God based on works. In this most commonly held false equation, man must earn his forgiveness, striving diligently to bridge the separation between God and man. Indeed, it is hard to understand it being any other way.
{ PRAYER STARTER }
Father, how hard it is for man to understand the grace of God. It is freely given, totally without merit, and based only on faith in You.
This whole idea of grace is completely contrary
to our natural way of thinking.
