Galatians 3:1-4:16 - Faith, Works, and Sonship

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul wanted to make absolutely clear to the people of Galatia that their hope and justification was found in faith in Christ, and not their works or observance of the law. There were many at that time that attempted to require Gentile converts to observe Jewish rituals and traditions (such as circumcision); Paul wanted to destroy any hint of this false teaching and reaffirm where their salvation came from.

In yesterday's reading, Paul stated clearly in verse 2:16 that we are justified by faith and not works:

Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

 In chapter 3 he continues to chastise those clinging to legalism:

Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

What a way to describe the mentality that they had slipped into! Sometimes we feel like we have to 'make up the difference', or get close enough on our own that the grace of God just has to close a small gap that we aren't quite able to close. In the greek vernacular, Paul says "what a load of delusional, self-righteous crap!" Do we really think that after the almighty Spirit of God has begun the process of regeneration and sanctification in us, that we perfect the work by our own flesh? Who do we think we are?

For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

Moral law does not give life - it condemns and convicts those that break it. How could we possibly think that we are saving ourselves by following the law?

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

While we were condemned by the law, God sent his Son to redeem us - to adopt us as sons and daughters.

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Under the law, we were slaves - instead, we have been in-dwelt by the Spirit of God himself and adopted as His children. And because we are His children, we are heirs with Christ of incalculable blessing. Now THAT'S incredible!

The more I think about what it means to be adopted as a son/daughter of God, the more I realize how much of an undeserved gift it really is. No adopted child thinks that they did anything to earn the love of their parents; none of them think they were chosen because of their obedience or good works. They know that they were chosen, redeemed at a price, and blessed with unconditional love and lavished with affection out of the love of their parents.

That is what an adopted child should feel. There is no bondage or slavery in a relationship like that. There is no earning of love through good works. There is no need to make a name for myself or stack myself up to others, because I am a child of the almighty God. I am known by Him, and He chose to redeem me and make me an heir in His kingdom. You can have your insecurities and self-righteousness, world - I'm a child of God.