Not by Works (Part 3) Author: Creflo Dollar Summary As Christians, we are no longer governed by the Law; we’re led by the Holy Spirit. The Law encourages self-effort, which is why our flesh craves it. Many times, we want to feel as though we have earned God’s grace. However, we should see ourselves as we are; we are under the new covenant of grace, and we do not have to work for our right standing with God or His unmerited favor. We were saved by grace. The Galatians were being led astray by false teachings. They were reverting back to the Law, relying on self efforts to achieve spiritual maturity instead of relying on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:1-10). Paul was questioning their contradictory actions and beliefs. “Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence on the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3, AMP). When we are being guided by our flesh, we want to feel deserving, but grace is not something we deserve or earn. This is why the flesh is enticed by the Law. The Law makes us think we deserve God’s goodness. We don’t receive God’s goodness because we’re good; we receive it because He’s good. “Then does He Who supplies you with His marvelous [Holy] Spirit and works powerfully and miraculously among you do so on [the grounds of your doing] what the Law demands, or because of your believing in and adhering to and trusting in and relying on the message that you heard?” (Galatians 3:5, AMP). Abraham believed God and was made right with Him because of his faith. He didn’t fulfill any demands (Galatians 3:6, AMP). Everyone who lives under the Law lives under a curse. Anyone who attempts to fulfill the Law has to fulfill all of it (Galatians 3:10, AMP). We cannot fulfill all of the Law. Jesus is the only one who has fulfilled all the Law; He is our intercessor. Grace has a face and a voice; it is the face and voice of Jesus. When we behold Jesus, we behold the face of grace. Scripture References Galatians 3:1-10, AMP
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:34:55 +0000
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