fickle or faithful?
Do you consider yourself fickle? Though some people might have a greater
tendency toward this than others, it does seem to be part of human nature. We sometimes grasp a wonderful truth, enjoy
the peace and rest of it, and then move on to some other new exciting thing,
even if it is not true. It was the same
with the Galatians. The context of the
terminology in verse 1 Paul uses here relates to a Greek expression denoting a
curse placed on someone, rendering them “stupid” or “foolish”—unable to think
clearly.
However, Paul is not
blaming demonic influences, nor permitting blame shifting. He is demanding personal responsibility of
each person. A lack of logical reasoning
has led them into their error.[1]In
the case of the Galatians, the consequence was that the simple truth was being
abandoned. Not at all unique to the
Galatians, this trend can be seen here and now as well. We would do well to attempt to answer the
same questions Paul posed in this letter:
1.
How
did you receive the Spirit in the beginning?
Was it by things you did, or by what you heard and then received in
faith? _______________
2.
Do
you think you can complete the spiritual life God has supernaturally begun in
you by adopting naturalistic standards to fulfill? __________
How do you hope to make progress and come to final salvation? _____ __________________________________________________________
3.
How
do you explain God’s manifest presence and power in your midst? __________________________________________________________
On what basis has God performed signs and miracles? (Faith or works?) __________________________________________________________
When we come to God through the
grace of Jesus by faith, there is an exchange that occurs. It may include some opposition as others
resist your change, and it does include some dying to self. Jesus crucified was a one-time event with
ongoing effects to be availed by us over time.
But if after we experience some initial supernatural exchange of our
strife for His peace, we then take up a flesh-driven mindset, it is as if the
initial experience was for nothing. And
if we have done this, then we have reduced the experience to a ‘religion’ like
any other. We must be clear minded about
our need, and continue to rely on God’s grace as we come to Him for our
transformation.
Read and Pray: Jeremiah 32:17-27, Daniel 3:14-18,
6:25-27, Hebrews 2:1-4
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