So Christ has truly set us free. Now make
sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. (Galatians
5:1 NLT).
There is a
monumental struggle ensuing that will determine whether we will do things our
way or God’s way. One way is through
human effort and ingenuity and the other by faith. As was true in the church in Galatia, it is
possible to start in the Spirit and yet to end up in the flesh.
Why is
this engagement so prevalent in our Christian walk? It goes back to the son of the freewoman and
the son of the slave, Isaac, and Ishmael.
Ishmael, the result of human effort to fulfill God’s promise, persecuted
the son of the promise (Galatians
4: 29 NLT). Those who seek to keep
the law by nature have to resist those who are born of the Spirit. What was the
centerpiece of this argument among the Galatians? It was circumcision. The law-keepers were saying that you can
follow Christ but must have the mark of the Jew also. The Apostle Paul knew that Christ plus
anything was not Christ at all. Why is
works righteousness so enticing to us.
The pride in our heart manipulates the flesh. We love to believe, at least in part, that
our salvation is because of our goodness.
Those who embrace the way of the Cross, have nothing to boast about,
except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Are you
seeking after the son of the freewoman or the son of the slave? Are you pursuing by faith the circumcision of
the heart or that of the flesh? Seek the
latter, and you will soon be back under the curse of the law.
Image used with permission by Microsoft.
Ken
Barnes the author of “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places” YWAM Publishing
Email: kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/
Email: kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/
Podcasts: http://kensblogpodcast.blogspot.com
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