Slices
Prepare
Pray: ‘Lord, help me not to think and live as if being a good Christian depended on my efforts.’
Bible passage
Faith or works of the law
3 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain – if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because ‘the righteous will live by faith.’ 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’ 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’ 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Explore
When you first came to Christ, you knew that your salvation depended on him alone. Filled with his Spirit, you experienced and witnessed Christ at work in you and in others around you (vs 1–5). Now, as you move on, you are perhaps beginning to think again about the old ways – and that simple security of keeping the rules (v 3). But here is the flaw in the Galatian church’s thinking.
Paul points to their lack of wisdom and failure to understand the Old Testament Scriptures more deeply. Keeping the Law was never the way to salvation (vs 10,11)! It’s a guide that teaches us about living God’s way – and about worship and the festivals that were important in maintaining relationship with God. But we can’t do it! There’s a deeper truth running through God’s Word which Abraham, the Jews’ ancient ancestor, shows us (v 6). Right relationship with God depends on faith in him and his mercy (it’s not our ‘doing’).
Throughout time God had a plan. The good news of the gospel for all people has always been foreseen by him (vs 8,9). The coming of Jesus and his death are the lynchpin. Now we know that Christ redeemed us through his death. Now, as Abraham’s life foreshadowed, by faith we too can come into relationship with God and receive the promised blessing of his Spirit.
Respond
Ask God to refresh your faith in Christ, and to help you receive the Spirit’s wisdom as you live by faith in him today.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Leviticus 6,7; Matthew 6
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray that the connections Tracy Jassal (Support Worker in the south-west) has with Faith Guides, Local Mission Partners and supporters will be strengthened and that she can be a valuable support to them.
Exploring Easter with Children and Young People
Easter Matters, our brand-new resource pack for Easter is now available.
We know that the message of Easter can sometimes be a difficult topic to bring up with children and young people, especially if they are new to faith. Easter Matters is packed with inspirational stories, ideas and activities to help you explore the message of the cross with children and young people.
