Okay, we have just looked at what Paul faced with new converts and their infiltration by Jewish unbelievers, who tried to change them to the old systems of legalisms much as we face still. These people blend the Law with grace which nullifies faith as we shall soon see. Not only that but it places them under the penalties of the Law, as accused. Even though the cross removed it, to acknowledge Christ and his "It is Finished," work of the cross and then places one under the Law which nullifies the promise.
Galatians 3:1-5, 6-9 "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Even as Abraham (a called out gentile) believed God (Genesis 15:6), and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying (in Genesis 12:3), "'In thee shall all nations be blessed.'" So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." (KJV)
Galatians 3:1-6, 7-9 "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham (being a called out gentile) "believed God (in Genesis 15:6), and it was counted to him as righteousness"?
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying (in Genesis 12:3), "'In you shall all the nations be blessed.'" So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." (ESV)
Galatians 3:1-5, 6-9 "Galatians! Galatians! Have you completely lost your common sense? Can't you see how the Law bewitched you and blurred your vision to distort the revelation of what the cross of Christ accomplished in you? This was so clearly predicted in Scripture. How can you not be persuaded by the truth? (He did not die as an individual, he died your death! [this in Isaiah 53:4-5]) Please would you reason with me on this one issue; on what basis did you receive the Holy Spirit? Are we talking gift or reward here? What kind of message ignites faith? What a condemned sinner and failure you are as revealed in the Law, or what GOD believes to be true about you as revealed in his gospel? Let's not confuse Law with Grace. Can you see how stupid it would be to start in the spirit (believing in the success of the cross) and then for some crazy reason to switch modes back to DIY again! As if your own works could add anything to that which GOD has already done in Christ. ([DIY - Do It Yourself.] It would be suicidal! It's like deliberately jumping out of a boat, to try to swim across the ocean! There are two trees: the DIY tree or the Life tree. They represent two laws or systems: the law of works and the law of faith; the one represents what you have to do in order to become; the other tree reveals who you are by deliberate design and what Christ has done! Because of the Calavary-tree we are free to be! Spirit = faith; flesh = works) Remember how you felt when you first encountered faith; are you prepared to exchange that for religion sentiment? All the ground you've gained would be lost. (The Law does not complete faith, it nullifies it!) Would you accredit what you have received from GOD to something you did or something you have heard (earned)? Did GOD reward you for your high moral standards when he worked extravagant miracles in you and lavished his Spirit in you; or did it perhaps have anything to do with the content of the revelation of this message of grace that you have heard? Faith is the source of GOD's action on humanity's behalf; our hearing is the conduit of what GOD's faith reveals.
Abraham had no other claim to righteousness but simply believing (recorded in Genesis 15:6) what GOD declared concerning him! Isaac confirmed GOD's faith, not Abraham's efforts. This is al we have in common with Abraham. (Righteousness reveals GOD's faith as responsible for humanity's salvation in direct contrast to their doing it themselves by keeping moral laws.) The conclusion is clear; faith and not the flesh relates us to Abraham! (Grace rather than law is our true lineage. Ishmael represents so much more than the Muslim religion. Ishmael represents the clumsy efforts of the flesh to compete with faith; the preaching of a mixed message of law and grace. Is like trying to mix oil with water.) Scripture records prophetically that the mass of non-Jewish nations would be justified by faith and not by keeping moral laws. This announcement by GOD over Abraham is the gospel in advance (in Genesis 12:3). GOD saw every nations included in the same principle of faith that Abraham pioneered. "'In you all the nations of the earth are equally represented in this blessing of faith.'" ([Genesis 22:17-18] "'I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore. And your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your seed shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves.'" Righteousness by faith is the revelation of this gospel; [Romans 1:17 and Habakkuk 2:4] "the just shall live by his (GOD's) faith" Righteousness by faith defines our life!) As did Abraham so do we now find our source in the blessing of faith." (The Mirror)
Are we learning the secret of GOD yet? I sure put my trust in his faith, that calls those things that appear to be not, to appear being! Now may our LORD GOD work his works within you and yours by his faithfulness of promise.
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