Living Free

FOOLISH DRIFTING

We want to be careful not to drift away from our faith in Jesus.

(Galatians 3:1-14) You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing - if it really was for nothing? Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

1. RIGHTEOUSNESS Comes by Faith

(6-7) Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.

A. When Abraham put his faith in the Lord, righteousness was credited to him.

B. When we put our faith in the Lord, righteousness is credited to us.

(Romans 4:5) To the man who... trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

C. The righteousness credited to us (to pay our sin debt) comes from Jesus.

(14) He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham [righteousness] might come to the Gentiles [us] through Christ Jesus.

2. COMPLETENESS Comes by Faith

A. They had compartmentalized faith in Christ and limited it to salvation alone.

B. Daily trust in Jesus is the only way to find fulfillment in all of life.

(1-3) You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

3. BLESSEDNESS Comes by Faith

(9) Those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

A. God blesses those who KEEP their sustained faith in Him.

(2 Samuel 22:26) To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show yourself blameless.

(2 Chronicles 15:2) The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

(Psalm 115:13) He will bless those who fear [Him] - small and great alike.

(Psalm 128:1-2) Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

(Psalm 147:11) The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.

(Proverb 22:4) Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.

B. Do you ever wonder what great things God would like to do IN your life?

(Jeremiah 29:11) “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

C. Do you ever wonder what great things God would like to do THROUGH your life?