March 30. Galatians 3. Eugene Wilson

Foolish Galatians

Yes; -- You foolish Galatians!  Who has bewitched you?  (that you should not obey the truth) (NKJV) Before your very eyes, Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.  Yes, they were foolish indeed!  This was a sad commentary. Yet, this can be, and oftentimes, is, me.

I will consider the Galatians position and ask myself the same questions and place myself under the same scrutiny as I am placing on them. (By the way; It would be good for you to examine yourselves as well). Yes, this indeed was a very sad commentary considering all the hard work, prayers, and tears Paul had invested in them.

These are a few items we will examine and ponder:     

• Am I Being Bewitched and fooled?

• Do I have Faith in God or in Myself?

• Do I know my Identity in Christ?

• Do I know The Purpose of the Law?

and finally;

• Do I believe that Christ accepts everyone and has broken down all cultural barriers?

I will start with the former.

 Am I Being Bewitched and Fooled?

How did the Galatians allow themselves to be tricked or fooled as to question Christ’s finished work in them? As if they were not taught, or didn’t see firsthand?  How could they, possibly think or believe that they had anything better, or at all, to add?  I, also, have been tricked and fooled.  It was whenever I tried to “Improve” my image, or to prove I am “worth my salt”.     

Paul used the ancient Greek word “anoetos”, for (foolish) meaning someone who can think but fails to use their power of perception.  Barclay translates bewitched as “put the evil eye on” much like a serpent hypnotizing its prey with its eyes.  For me It reminds me of Eve in the garden with the serpent (Genesis 3:1-6) .  Apparently, she knew what the “Rules” were; and how she was supposed to behave, but alike the Galatians; she failed to perceive and to act on what she already knew.

Now, what about having Christ clearly portrayed as crucified?  (1 John 1:2) “…we have seen it and testify to it”. Also, Acts 4:20 states further “we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard”. So, again I say; How could they or possibly believe that there was anything better or at all to add to being united with Christ?  For that, let’s consider the thought of deception or being deceived.  The Latin root of deceive is “decipere,” expressed in this way:  Our tendency to be easily caught up or carried away, to be ensnared by error.  It evolves the image of and animal being carried off as prey in the mouth of a lion (1 Peter 5:8) . They were simply like Eve in the garden; thinking that she was missing something and was carried off by her own lust (Genesis 1:4-5).

Do I have Faith in God or in Myself?

In the beginning of my walk with God; I simply “believed” that I was saved by grace; not by simply staying connected to Jesus.  Paul asks:  (Galatians 3:2) “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?” And also (Galatians 3:3) “…are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? “

Do I know my Identity in Christ?

Like the Galatians; I can mistakenly compare myself to those around me; (my spiritual leaders), and depend on them for my identification and validation.  But clearly it says in 2 Corinthians 10:12 that we are NOT to compare or measure ourselves with each other and that those who do so, are not wise.  (Galatians 3:26-27) “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”  This is what establishes our identity, whereby we place our trust and hope in Him.

The Jews brought their thinking and laws right into the Christian faith. In their minds your standing before God was measured by your observance to the law. To be considered sons of God you practically had to “live like” a Scribe or Pharisees.  They struggled with their historical beliefs from their own upbringing; their own assortments of disillusionments and feelings of insecurities and failed  but now, sometimes, I have trouble believing that, that same grace will carry me through. (Philippians 1: 6) Do I have faith in Christ or myself?  I believe that this is where Hebrews 11:1 comes in: “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”.  I have a tendency to lean on my own understanding as in opposition to Proverbs 3:5 “…lean not on your own understanding”.  Instead believe that I, myself, had to complete or perfect it; but of course, according to Philippians 1:6 (“he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion”), this is not true.

The Galatians were deceived into believing that Spiritual maturity could be achieved through keeping the law and not by simply staying connected to Jesus.  Paul asks:  (Galatians 3:2) …Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? And also: (Galatians 3:3) …are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

Do I know my Identity in Christ?

Like the Galatians; I can mistakenly compare myself to those around me; (my spiritual leaders), and depend on them for my identification and validation.  But clearly it says, in 2 Corinthians 10:12 that we are NOT to compare or measure ourselves with each other and that those who do so, are not wise. (Galatians 3:26-27) “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”  This is what establishes our identity, whereby we place our trust and hope in Him.

The Jews brought their thinking and laws right into the Christian faith. In their minds your standing before God was measured by your observance to the law. To be considered sons of God you practically had to “live like” a Scribe or Pharisees.  They struggled with their historical beliefs from their own upbringing; their own assortments of disillusionments and feelings of insecurities and failed relationships.  But those who have been saved by faith are among those who have a special relationship with God as a loving caring father. 

 Do I know The Purpose of The Law?

To me the law of God represents the rules and regulation of today.  I can equate that to righteousness; and by keeping it, I get a sense of feeling ok, and I can feel that I am “a good person”. The law God gave Moses which was delivered to the Jews did not bring life only the awareness of sins.  The law did not give strength to those who desire to keep it. It simply states the command, tells us to keep it, and informs us of the consequences if we break it. So, what was its purpose?  The law was given to Moses by God; but for what reason? What was the purpose?

Paul informed the Jews that Jesus came to fulfill the law which was against them: (Colossians 2.14) “having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness…nailing it to the cross”. The law was our teacher; it informs us of our wrong doing (Galatians 3:24) . It was given so that we would not destroy ourselves before Christ came.  It also makes clear our need for a Savior.  (Romans 6:23) “For the wages of sin is death”. (Eternal separation from God) (Revelation 20:14) “This lake of fire is the second death”. The law was given to convince the world of the necessity of a Savior and to rescue us from ourselves:  (Isaiah 53:6) “We all like sheep have gone astray…and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.   Do I believe that Christ accepts everyone and anyone, and has broken down all cultural barriers of those who place their faith in Him?”  Believe in God, and just as Abraham was justified before Him so are you.  That is a simple but difficult concept; faith which leads to justification and that, without work.  If I actually believe that, and demonstrate it through my behavior; How would that change me and my relationships?  Within the circles of the Galatians there were certain Christians who were born as Jews thought that they (simply by association with Abraham) were right before God and that anyone else must be justified according to the law.  When In fact; verse 10 states: “all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse”.  Reason being; In order to be justified under the law; you must continue to do everything that is written.  Therefore; by observation of the law, no one will be justified.  Furthermore; through faith in Christ, everyone who has been baptized into Him is justified before Him; and that, without cultural barriers (verse 26) .  Also, (Ephesians 2:14) “who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier”. The acceptance of this ideal would unify everyone across the board both Jews and Gentiles.   

Conclusion

We like the Galatians can be fooled and tricked into believing that we can add anything, at all, to what Christ has already done for us.  We have failed to perceive the things we have already discovered and have turned to believing in ourselves rather than God.  We do not know of our identity in Christ but strive to compare and establish our own identity by measuring ourselves with each other; and holding others to do the same; not realizing that God is a loving caring father and that we are all special.  The law displays His love for us; not that we would obey it fully, for no one can, but for us to realize our need for Him.  We must realize that He accepts anyone and everyone who comes to Him by faith.