Daily Reading: 6-13-16
Galatians 3:1-9 New Living Translations (NLT)
The Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of the promises God made to Abraham under the Old Covenant of the Law—(based on perfect performance to God’s standards through human effort). God promised to make Abraham the faith father of many descendants. Through Christ’s love, death, and resurrection, humanity is offered the choice to have a right relationship with God and a New Covenant called Grace. The New Covenant of Grace is built on trusting God to make us righteous; rather, than trying to make ourselves righteous.
Human beings can always lose their way when it comes to faithfully following God’s Word. Even though we may love God, we can still wander and lose sight of the big picture associated with God’s heart. In our lesson, today, the Apostle Paul wants the wandering Galatians to remember the foundation of the church and having a right relationship with God is built on the New Covenant and the work of the Holy Spirit to teach us how to live by faith.
The Law and Faith in Christ
3 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. 2 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. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
4 Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?
5 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.
6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.
8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.
The Holy Spirit internally presents this renewed outlook for faith living; obedience and trust in God’s power and guiding work of faith (helps us live by the Word which reveals God’s heart). The Spirit knows no limit and can touch all nations. The Spirit is the perfect Internal Guiding Voice of Truth for the world.
Prayer: Father, I present myself to You, today. Holy Spirit, please quicken my spirit to trust You and obey whatever You place before me. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus’ name.