By Darrel Proffitt, Lead Pastor
Starting on August 3, a sermon series on the book of Galatians will begin. Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians because they were struggling with the difference between trying to earn God’s favor through our works versus accepting it by grace. The implications of this are profound. I think most believers understand that faith and salvation are gifts of grace. We cannot do anything to earn them nor do we deserve them. The problem is this: we accept that we come to faith by grace but then we try to live by law. It is easy to develop a set of rules and laws to live by and end up losing our freedom.
But beyond this, there are questions that emerge for me such as how do I discover the grace that God freely gives? Do I have to do something to discover it? What happens when I do discover it?
As in all issues related to faith, God desires to both reveal Himself and through that, offer us grace. That is the important point. How often do we seek what God would have us do, what His will is for our lives, and not seek Him? It is important that we not get that out of order.
Paul reminds the Church in Galatia that they received the Spirit by believing what they had heard. The Gospel is a gospel of freedom and grace. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
We are not justified by works but by faith. This means we can stop trying so hard and start trusting God. Do not neglect your relationship with God because that is where we are changed. Once our relationship with God becomes vibrant, everything else falls into place. Through grace!
Starting on August 3, a sermon series on the book of Galatians will begin. Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians because they were struggling with the difference between trying to earn God’s favor through our works versus accepting it by grace. The implications of this are profound. I think most believers understand that faith and salvation are gifts of grace. We cannot do anything to earn them nor do we deserve them. The problem is this: we accept that we come to faith by grace but then we try to live by law. It is easy to develop a set of rules and laws to live by and end up losing our freedom.
But beyond this, there are questions that emerge for me such as how do I discover the grace that God freely gives? Do I have to do something to discover it? What happens when I do discover it?
As in all issues related to faith, God desires to both reveal Himself and through that, offer us grace. That is the important point. How often do we seek what God would have us do, what His will is for our lives, and not seek Him? It is important that we not get that out of order.
Paul reminds the Church in Galatia that they received the Spirit by believing what they had heard. The Gospel is a gospel of freedom and grace. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
We are not justified by works but by faith. This means we can stop trying so hard and start trusting God. Do not neglect your relationship with God because that is where we are changed. Once our relationship with God becomes vibrant, everything else falls into place. Through grace!
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