Coach’s Corner

Yesterday I began on “online Bible study” in Galatians since we will be focusing on that book this week.  This morning, I’ll cover chapter 3.   Chapter 3 is a powerful explanation and exploration of faith versus the law.  In many ways, this is still the dividing question between those who would follow Christ and those who don’t.  Check this out… there was an article in USA Today recently where they discussed the different religious points of view.  Here are some of the highlights:

The survey finds U.S. adults believe overwhelmingly (92%) in God, and 58% say they pray at least once a day. But the study’s authors say there’s a “stunning” lack of alignment between people’s beliefs or practices and their professed faiths.

• 78% overall say there are “absolute standards of right and wrong,” but only 29% rely on their religion to delineate these standards. The majority (52%) turn to “practical experience and common sense,” with 9% relying on philosophy and reason, and 5% on scientific information.

• 74% say “there is a heaven, where people who have led good lives are eternally rewarded,” but far fewer (59%) say there’s a “hell, where people who have led bad lives and die without being sorry are eternally punished.”

• 70%, including a majority of all major Christian and non-Christian religious groups except Mormons, say “many religions can lead to eternal life.”

Paul might as well have written chapter 3 to us yesterday.  In spite of biblical teaching, people seem bent on figuring it out themselves.  Making it work on their own.  The fact that 74% say that there is a heaven where people who have LED GOOD LIVES are rewarded shows just how drawn we are to “working” for what God has already done.

GALATIANS 3

• VS 1-4 - Paul basically is asking them if they’re stupid?  They accepted the message of grace through faith but then began living by rules again.  Paul asks them basically that “if you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it?  If God started the work in you, then just how do you figure that you’ll be the one to make it whole?”  That question is just as valid today.  Far too many people are trying to “work” their way to heaven by what they do.  And far too many people, having said yes to the grace of Jesus Christ, turn around and begin to try to earn what they were freely given.  It’s crazy.  It’s also diabolical.
• VS 10 - 12 - This is the rub… everyone who tries to justify eternal life with Christ through the law and rules has to carry out every piece of it… never mess up… never make a mistake… because any mistake makes them cursed.  It’s impossible.  And yet, millions of humans keep trying to do it.  Rule keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith but into more rule-keeping.  And we can never keep them all.  It’s a vicious cycle with no exit except by grace.
• VS 18-22 - So what’s the point of the law?  If we can’t be saved by it, then why did we even have it?  It’s purpose was to make it painfully obvious that we cannot save ourselves.  There is no one who is capable of keeping them all and never breaking a single element of the law.  Throughout the Old Testament, people kept adding more and more rules to help keep them from breaking the rules.  It’s a weight that we cannot bear, and it does not lead to life.  It leads to condemnation.  And if we look at the law properly, it shows us just how foolish it is to try to work our way to a right standing with God.  We simply need to accept him in faith.
• VS 23-24 - The law was necessary until Jesus Christ came.  Paul described the law like a tutor that is teaching and protecting children until they get to their destination.  The law was to point people to Jesus Christ and our need for him.  Now that Christ has come, we’ve reached our destination.  We can accept his forgiveness in faith.
• VS 26-29 - The OT and NT world were marked by societal divisions.  I’m not sure much has changed in our modern world.  But the foot of the cross, the boundary of faith, is level ground for everyone.  There is no favoritism.  There are no prerequisites.  Status buys you nothing.  Previous experience counts zero.  Faith is our common denominator and we all stand in need of the free grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

YOUR TURN - What insights do you have from chapter 3?  How has God shown you the need for freedom from performance?