Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: Galatians 3:2-3

By

Galatians 3:2-3    "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"

Why would anyone feel the need for a law? To me, it seems that my need for the law is a full statement of the tendency of my flesh to sin. I have the nature of Adam within me and that brings about thoughts, words, and actions that are contrary to God. Therefore, I feel the need for a law, or guideline, that will help me try to live a better life.  But the problem with the law is that it does not take away the condemnation that is the result of my transgressions.  The law merely points out my weaknesses and the shortcomings of my life. So, how can those tendencies, those weaknesses, be changed. How can my heart be put back at one with God?

Yesterday was a day of celebration. We celebrated life - a better life each day and more importantly, life for all eternity. We celebrated the great hope (assurance) of our home in heaven. How has that home been secured? In the previous chapter, we saw "if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:21)  If I could perfectly follow the law, I would still have no way to combat that within me which draws me to the ways of the world which are so contrary to the way of God. Only God could make that right within me.  Paul said in the first verse of this chapter, "Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you."  Yes, Jesus died to save me from my sin and the Holy Spirit has placed a new heart, (desire), within me that stirs my heart to want to live for God.  The question that Paul is addressing concerns the difference in my life.  Did the law stir my heart to make me want to do better or did it simply point out the deficiencies in my life?  Or, was it the Holy Spirit Who brought the righteousness of Jesus Christ and completely changed my desire for a better life?  We will continue this thought, but today I want to stop and praise God for the work of Jesus Christ and for the Holy Spirit Who has revealed that work into my life.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Enter With Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:1-5

By
One of the most beautiful Psalms of Thanksgiving is the 100th Psalm. Please turn to it and read verses one through five. With all my heart I believe we are a people and a nation that has truly been blessed by God. Of all those who “give thanks to Him and praise His name” we should be at the top!  It is not uncommon to compile wish lists at Christmas, and draw up a list of resolutions for the new year. But there is another list we often overlook - a Thanksgiving Day list of all for which we are thankful. What would your list contain? Most likely, a good part would be material possessions. I’m convinced that we would find that we have much more for which to be thankful than just our material possessions.  Like you, I’m sure my list would include the major things - life, health, family, friends, and the nation we live in, despite all its flaws. But even more than that, I’m thankful for my salvation, my Church family, and the mercy that God showers upon us each d...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Psalm 100:4-5 - Thanksgiving

By
Psalm 100:4-5     "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  (5)  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Many songs have been written about these verses and with these words included. What do they mean? Today, we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. I've listened to many people speak about their family traditions and most of them include family, food, and football. These are wonderful and fun things that enrich the day, but is it the true meaning that was intended when the day was established?  The Psalmist instructed us to include a special action with our words of thankfulness.  We are to "enter into HIS gates." The heartfelt words of thanksgiving allow us to enter the gates of the Lord, but there is a much deeper place into which we can go. Not only are we to enter into HIS gates, but He invites us to come much closer to H...
Read more