Dear God,
It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. How fabulous is that? Help me learn to live like Christ. Lord, I don't want to try to be like you in my own weak human effort. Help me live by the Spirit, who will help me in all things. Thank you!
FREEEEEDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Me
Galatians 2-4
So Paul had this huge thing he had to deal with with figuring out if it was okay with everybody to preach to the Gentiles, and if the Gentiles had to be circumcised. But they worked it all out and now Paul is explaining that to the Galatians.
And he's pointing out that it's not good to be inconsistent in how you treat people or do things just because certain people are around or not.
And he makes a point about Jesus saving us, not the law. IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME.
Talking about which is better: The law or faith? Faith wins. Yep. That's Paul debating right there.
And BAM. Something that pretty much speaks of LT and what I need to learn.
"How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, WHY are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?"
Bam. Thanks K. Now I have that in every other sentence.
But it's so true! I spend my days saying, "Oh yeah, I'm a Christian, I live by the Spirit!" and then I turn around and try to figure things out on my own. Help me to trust you. Help me live by the Spirit, and live with Christ.
And then Paul spends some time talking about how the Gentiles get in on this awesomeness that is You too.
The law is there to show sin for what it really is. "To reveal sin as its sinfulness."
Every time I read, "Absolutely not!" I can hear my Sunday school teacher, MC, saying it. Hehehehe...
Freedom. We can live in freedom with God. We don't have to try to please God through ceremonies, festivals, or rituals. We can please God with our daily free living!
And Paul berates the Galatians. Poor peeps. Except they need the truth spoken to them, so Paul gave it to them. Aaand talks about slaves and free some more with Hagar and Sarah.
So yeah.