Galatians 3:9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Galatians is often thought of as a letter about legalism, but it is actually about faith, in contrast to legalism and any other form of humanistic endeavor. It is interesting that we have such trouble with faith. The whole Bible is actually a record of faith, and the trust and obedience that go along with it, in contrast to all the other options. Even before Abraham, who is referenced here, Adam and Eve were tempted to doubt that what God had said to them was true, and they believed the lie of the devil instead. People today dress the lies of the devil up in all sorts of disguises – science, logic, realism, humanism, as well as legalism – but they all boil down to saying that God can’t be trusted. If we want the blessings of Abraham, not to mention eternal life in Christ Jesus, we’ve got to recognize the lies for what they are and choose to trust God. I am sometimes amazed, as well as grieved, at the mental contortions people go through to not believe God. Saving faith is indeed a gift, but God offers it freely, and yet so many refuse it. Not only that, many people who accept saving faith then try to add all sorts of other things to it, just as the Galatian believers were trying to add legalism. That never turns out well! It’s not at all that we aren’t to use our minds, or that we aren’t to be wise and discerning, but that we need to be sure that nothing gets in the way of what God has said and is saying to us. When that is our fundamental position, there is no limit to what God can and will do in, for, and through us.

That’s a lot more than I expected to get out of that one verse! I believe God, and yet I have to say, along with the father of the epileptic boy, “Help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) I cannot force anyone to believe, however much I might like to sometimes. I can only pray for them and allow God to speak His truth to them through me. I must be careful always to speak in love, and never to talk down to anyone. When God has been so gracious to me, how can I fail to be gracious to others? I need to help people understand that faith is indeed a gift, and they only have to choose to receive it. I remember a Christian sister who, before her salvation, couldn’t understand how someone could say (at their baptism) that they believed Jesus died for them and rose on the third day, but after she had an encounter with Christ in her heart, she suddenly discovered she believed it completely. As a pastor, I need to help those who have made that step to continue on and receive and exercise faith for every facet of life, because only then will we be in the full flow of all God intends for us.

Father, this is a clear, strong Word. Help me know when and how to communicate it to the believers, so that we may walk in all that You desire and intend for us, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!