Oh Foolish Galatians
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 3:1-5. In this Scripture, we see that Paul confronts the Galatians about their beliefs. Paul called them foolish and asked them who had bewitched them. What do you think Paul meant by that question? Paul was concerned because he knew that the Galatians knew right from wrong, but they let someone convince them of something which was not true. The Galatians were acting as if a spell had been cast on them.
Paul reminds them Jesus Christ was crucified before their eyes, yet they believed things that weren’t true. Paul knew the Galatians were taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of salvation, but somehow they let someone deceive them. Paul asked them if they thought they received the Holy Spirit by the works of the law, by obeying all the rules perfectly or by hearing the gospel and receiving it by faith. Salvation is a gift from God to those who receive it and the promise of eternal life in heaven after this life is over. If someone gives you a gift, do you have to work for it? Do you receive it graciously?
Jesus says all we need to do is ASK: Matthew 7:7-11 says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
Paul asked the Galatians if they were so foolish to think that they began their relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit, but now they think they can be made perfect by the works of the flesh. Sometimes we try to make things a lot more complicated than they are. We think somehow we can do something to earn what Jesus has already made available to us. Our relationship with Christ grows as our faith in Him grows.
Paul asks the Galatians if they had suffered in vain. In the book of Acts there are accounts of Paul being persecuted for preaching the gospel of Christ. If he was persecuted, it is probable that the churches of Galatia were persecuted also. If they didn’t believe the gospel had to be received by faith, then their suffering was in vain.
Paul asks them, “If He who ministers to you by the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Paul is speaking of God. Miracles are received through faith. He is the one who gives Christians the gift of the Holy Spirit when they receive Christ through faith.
Our Triune God, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit, doesn’t leave us or forsake us. When Jesus Christ ascended to heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and guide.
As Christians we need to study the Bible for ourselves and know what it says so we won’t be lead astray.
Daily Bible Reading:
Galatians 3:1-5
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Things to think about:
- What was Paul’s concern with the Galatians in this Scripture?
- Is your faith and hope in Jesus Christ? If not, why? If so, how are you certain?
- How does the Bible say we are saved?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul talks to the Galatians about the difference in the works of the law and in faith in Christ. As Christians we have to remember that Christ took our place and took our sins upon Him so through faith we can be saved from our sins. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves except to believe in Him. Help us Lord to get a grasp of this and not make serving You complicated. Help us to study the Bible so we will know what the truth is and can live our lives according to the truth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
– Galatians 3:1
– This is an excerpt from my book:
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia
Click the link above to get your copy now!
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Featured Book:
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia
By Deborah H. Bateman
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.
Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Have a blessed day,
Deborah
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