Law or Faith?
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:2).
So how about it believer? Do you hear the word of truth? Those who have become Christians by faith in Christ are now indwelt by the Holy Spirit of the living God. The Holy Spirit that teaches, reproves, and convicts us is in you. The Holy Spirit that bears witness with our spirit that we are now the Sons of God through faith in Christ abides in us. The Holy Spirit that opens our eyes of spiritual understanding as we read and meditate on the written word of God confirms our new life in Christ. Do you hear Him?
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the
Spirit of adoption
, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:14-17).
What? You do not understand the scriptures? You get nothing from His word? This is not a small matter. Perhaps you are disconnected from the True Vine. Perhaps life is not in you. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).
Let me ask those of you who know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, are you perfected by the law? Have you returned to the “law” of God in an attempt to please Him? The same law you could never keep in the first place? Oh dear saint, do you not know it is: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7). Do you not hear what the Bible says? “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all ” (James 2:10).
We live the Christian life the same way we entered into the Christian life; faith in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not be deceived by the Adversary, there is no level of obedience to a strict code of behavior that will ever appease a righteous and Holy God. It is the pinnacle of arrogance, spiritual immaturity, and blind deception when a believer thinks he or she can satisfy God by doing or keeping certain standards. And it is a clear sign of “spiritual immaturity” when a professed believer rejects this particular Biblical teaching.
But what is the path for a new believer? Do you not know that the person who fulfills the just and holy demands of God lives in you? Jesus will produce the good fruit of Godly behavior. He will direct your path. After all, He said: “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). He is the “Good Shepherd” who will guide His sheep (you). He is still the way. Follow Him!
