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? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? — Galatians 3:2-3 NASB
Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Galatians 3:2-3 The Message
The average Joe walking down the street has no clue that there is a huge difference between the gospel and religion. Here in these verses are the main components.
Religion: the law plus the flesh. Doomed to failure. Constant striving. Never achieving. Crazy!
The gospel: the Spirit plus faith. We hear the good news and we open the door. God comes and lives inside us. He lives through us.
Guess what? Does God need a set of rules in order for Him to figure out what to do? Stop and think about it. Rules are righteous if and only if they reflect God’s heart. If God’s heart is alive in you, don’t you have something better than rules?
Remember Golding’s book, The Lord of the Flies? Remember at the beginning the stranded boys said they would have rules, lots of them, and if anybody stepped out of line, watch out! They started with rules and ended in flames.
Is God tired? After forgiving our sins and assuring us a place in heaven, did He run out of energy? Is it all up to us now? Did the Spirit of God fall asleep after He entered our hearts?
The word "gospel" means "good message" or "good news." Let me suggest to you that there is lots and lots of good news. Yes, God forgives us through the atoning sacrifice of Christ and that is good news. But there is more, much more. God is alive and well in you. When you handed your life over to Christ, He handed His life over to you. What sin, what trial, what problem can possibly overcome the eternal life of Christ in us? If you are looking for success, look inside. He’s already there.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
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