April 18, 2014
I WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH
Galatians 3:1–14
Jill Garcia
Central Truth
As a believer, I am obedient to Christ because He loves me, not so that He will love me.
Key Verse | Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us -- for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.' (Galatians 3:13)
Galatians 3:1–14
By Faith, or by Works of the Law?
1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by 1 3:3 Or now ending with the flesh? 4 Did you suffer 2 3:4 Or experience so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 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— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify 3 3:8 Or count righteous; also verses 11, 24 the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 4 3:11 Or The one who by faith is righteous will live 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit 5 3:14 Greek receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Dive Deeper | Galatians 3:1–14
Growing up, I struggled with having friends. It was easy to say the right things so others would like me, even if I didn't agree with them. In my adult life, this translated to people pleasing, which has led me down paths of unhappiness and resentment and has invaded my walk with Christ off and on for many years. I find myself trying to please Christ or earn His love and acceptance by doing all the "Christian" things, like having a daily quiet time or trying my best to keep my hot temper in check, but I continually fail. Thankfully, I have some honest friends who know how to draw the truth out of me when I sometimes don't even realize that I'm trying to please them or others. And thank goodness my salvation has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Christ's death on the cross!
I love how blunt Paul is with the Galatian believers. They had gotten caught up in trying to obey every law in order to earn merit with God, but Paul calls them out, and asks them, "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?" (Galatians 3:2) They had heard the gospel and had accepted it, but still chose to try to earn favor through the works of their flesh. And oh, how they continued to fail, just like we all do, because we are human. "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, 'Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.'" (Galatians 3:10) We will all fall short when we attempt to rely on our own strength, but praise the Lord that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." (Galatians 3:13a) It's because of Christ's death on the cross and my love for Him that I strive to be obedient, not because I am trying to earn His love.
Discussion Questions
1. In what ways are you trying to earn the love of Christ, rather than accept that there is nothing you can do to make God love you more or less?
2. What lies is the enemy feeding you that you think would discredit your salvation? (If only they knew _____ about me . . . .)
3. What are some tangible ways we can grow in our faith through the truth that Christ ALONE is enough? What are some specific steps you can take daily to apply the grace and truth of the gospel to your life?
4. A challenge -- for every lie the enemy is trying to feed you, look up and memorize a verse of Scripture that defeats that lie and grounds you in the truth of the Word.