Day 87/260: Read Galatians 3

Does faith require obedience? There are many who claim the necessity of obedience negates God’s grace, thus one does not need to obey anything. Is this what Paul says in this chapter?

Abraham lived before the Law of Moses; he lived under what is commonly called “the Patriarchal Age.” Paul’s main point is that obedience for the sake of obedience is not what matters, but action based on faith. “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’”

Did you catch that? If you do what God says simply because God said it, then you’re missing something. We must live by faith! Faith directs us in the way live! We do what God says because we believe in Him (that is, we trust Him). We know what He has revealed is the truth, and that He will reward or punish according to our actions.

If you claim to believe in Jesus and expect to be counted among the saved, but refuse to do what He says, do you really believe in Him? Jesus is very clear that there will be some saved, and some lost. Paul says that those who have been “baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Their faith motivated them to obey His clear command (Mark 16:16). Have you obeyed?

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Pray

Pray for a stronger faith that directs the way you live.