Christian Prayers & Resources

inspired by the Celtic Christian Church

Setember

Galatians 3:1-9 (New International Version)

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The 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." So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

LED ASTRAY

The last thing we need when we’re driving is a distraction, yet when it comes to our faith then sometimes we are distracted - by the world around us, and voices that cause us to doubt. Distractions can be dangerous!

5. Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

There is nothing worse than living lives that are ruled by ‘Don’t do that!’ (the message of the law) or ‘You must do that!’ (the struggle to achieve acceptance by our actions) because Jesus has shown us a better way, through faith in his victory on the Cross.

Indeed, as Paul reminds us, even Abraham understood the importance of belief and trust in God, and was blessed because of his faith.

" Understand, then,” says Paul. “That those who believe are children of Abraham.”

The distractions along the road of faith are dangerous, because they lead us away from God just as easily as wrong directions on a journey might do.

Lord, keep our eyes focussed as we journey with you, and keep us from anything that might distract us.