What If? (continued)

But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.

What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. [Galatians 2.17-3.9]

Yes, it is true, according to Paul, that our efforts, no matter how they are justified by "theology", will NEVER please God - before or after salvation. Paul goes so far as to use very strong language calling this works theology an evil spell.

The point is not to "be good." The point is to walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is ALL about relationship (like reading the Word, responding, and relating it to others).

The problem with "walking in the Spirit" is that we cannot control it - we can't package it nice an neatly and do definitive seminars on it (as we are so inclined to do). We are unable to provide an exhaustive list of what walking in the Spirit is and is not (although Paul does give us a good start with his "fruit of the Spirit" list elsewhere). Walking in the Spirit is not a matter of living by a checklist - as if, when it is completed, we are done.

Furthermore, walking in the Spirit is not something we can cover in a sermon on Sunday morning, write a book about, or make note cards. Walking in the Spirit is what it is... "walking" - and doing so "in the Spirit" (sounds a lot like a journey to me). "In the Spirit" can only mean one thing according to Paul - faith. The Spirit COMES only through faith and REMAINS only through faith.

Okay, so this puts the spotlight back on me... and makes my faith look awful small. BUT I know this, my journey (reading, responding, and relating) is increasing my faith every day.

Father, I know that a true faith and grace mentality will put me (us) at odds with not only the world, but established works-diluted religion as well. Give me (us) the grace to remain faithful!