Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you because you observed the law, or because you believe what you heard?
That previous sentence is actually a verse from Galatians, but the question in itself is ridiculously poignant and relevant for believers today. The verse comes from a passage that is equal parts scathing as it is rhetorical. Paul is unbelievably frustrated with the Galatian church after they’ve abandoned the freedom of the true gospel for a watered down version that keeps believers under the yoke of an impossible set of laws. Here, let me write out the whole passage, but pretend that you yourself are the one speaking the words. For me, that can help to understand the intonation of another person’s words a little more –
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing – if it really was for nothing? Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
Galatians 3:1-5
Dang, Paul. That’s quite the verbal chastisement. Seriously, I wouldn’t want to be the one opening this letter, expecting maybe some kind teaching and encouragement like the letters he’s sent to surrounding churches, only to start skimming and then realize this one is totally different.
But now, here is my next challenge: Read the passage as if Paul is speaking to you personally. Go ahead, I’ll still be here when you’re done.
Okay, done? Let’s talk about why that passage makes me feel like someone took a spotlight and shone it smack dab on the parts of my life that I try to hide most earnestly from the world. Maybe you feel that way too? I’m going to take a wild guess and say a good number of the believers that will read this can probably remember the times they’ve turned to good performance rather than faith.
Here’s a hot take from Haley – I really don’t want to just say “ugh, I struggled with this so much you guys” and then move on to what I’ve learned. I’d rather you know that the truth is that I’m still, today, learning so much. In no way do I want to seem as if I’m this totally put together person that writes about how I perfectly diagnose and root out the brokenness I see in my life. Generally when I write these blog posts, it’s because I process through what God is teaching me in the present moment by putting it in word form. I’m still struggling with all of this, and the point of me writing this down is to acknowledge some things. The truth is that, by my own standards, I’m not all that great. Most days in the past many months, I’ve had this unwelcome and impending sense that I’m failing God (for a variety of shortcomings). As just one example that is relevant to this topic – I seek out material things, I seek out knowledge, I seek out things that will make me feel and look like a put-together Christian. By this, I even mean Christian books, Christian music, volunteering opportunities, etc. And I still have many days where I think “Lord, where the heck are You?”.
But the issue is really not in the Lord’s presence. Turns out (He let me know) it’s in where I focus my thoughts and spend my time. Seeking after the things a “good Christian” would want is not in itself helping me find Life. This is where John 15 comes into play, and Jesus’ words remind me of what is true.
I [Jesus] am the vine; you [believers] are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
My misinterpretation of the gospel has led me to live as if seeking after Godly things is a fulfilling goal. Jesus, on the other hand, (who may be just a bit wiser than me) turns my assumption on its head.
In my head: Surrounding myself with Godly things will lead me to God.
Jesus: You will not bear any fruit (Godliness) unless you remain in me.
Somehow, I’ve come to subconsciously believe that I can expect to bear fruit first, and get to know God later.
! That’s literally backwards. !
How in the world can any person bear fruit without being connected first to the Vine?? This is exactly what Jesus is saying.
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things [peace, provision] will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
I [Jesus] am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
He makes it so clear, dang it y’all. Where did we get the idea that our goal is to do good, look good, and feel good about ourselves? Goodness or maybe niceness, or – I don’t know, fill in the blank of what it is you seek – any other feelings, these are not our goal.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
2 Corinthians 5:15
The very best goal is to live 1. for Christ 2. and to live for Him as we move closer to being with Him in heaven. It’s only a natural response to recipients of grace who understand just how amazing this truth really is.
When we understand how much we are loved, we understand how to live in freedom. When we understand that “It is finished”, we live as if it is really true. That simple. When we understand that “there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus”, we can live as if that promise applies to us (because it does).
And it’s not my job to get this to become heart knowledge for you. For one, heck I’m still learning all this myself. Second reason (better reason) is that I’m not God. I don’t have a part in your personal relationship with God, all I can do is encourage you to keep seeking Him. Even when it’s so so hard, keep seeking after Him. Even when He takes away that thing you love most, keep seeking after Him. Even when you think He’s been silent and it’s much more interesting to go buy something that will distract you for a day, keep seeking after Him. Even when you secretly believe He’s orchestrated everything in your life to come apart at the seams, keep seeking after Him. Even when life is perfect and you equate contentment with not needing God, keep seeking after Him.
It’s so much better to believe His Word and follow what He says. It’s just so much better His way. And His way is simple – seek after Him and His righteousness (see Matthew 6:33 again). For you out there who hear “seek righteousness” and to you it sounds like another job to do, let me give context with this verse from Romans.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Christ Jesus to all who believe… For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and have been justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:22-24
Sorry I ended up bolding most of that little passage, but I mean – wow, there’s your answer right there. We’re not enough. We don’t have to be enough. Christ has justified us freely, because He’s just that dang awesome. All He does ask of us is to have faith. Righteousness from faith. How incredibly ingenious. How incredibly life-giving. Praise God that He is intelligent, loving, and just all at the same time. (And a billion more good things, but that’s another post)
And one more thought – thanks if you’ve stuck around this long – so that hopefully this message doesn’t come across as “PEOPLE GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER AND ASCRIBE TO THE LORD HIS GLORY”. My intent isn’t to persuade through guilt or shame, pushing that we don’t know the Bible well enough and that must mean we suck. And here’s the kicker that would make that pointless anyway – we’re guaranteed that we will continually not live up to God’s calling while we live in this broken world. In the book I’m reading at the moment (Garden City by John Mark Comer (!!!!!)), a quote stuck out to me about the mercy hidden within the curse God laid upon creation after the Fall. The author rightly says that “nothing could be more disastrous for the world than God’s image-bearers finding identity and belonging and even satisfaction apart from Him”. God was the Author of the curse, and it’s really no surprise that even a curse can be used to draw His kids back to Him. Other earthly things will draw our attention now and then, but ultimately we will only ever find true satisfaction and Life in Christ alone.
~Hal
Soundtrack of a Blog:
- One and Only – Jess Ray
- Stupid Deep – Jon Bellion
- There is No Striving – Rita Springer
- Defender – Rita Springer
- P E A C E – Hillsong Young & Free
I love the common thread throughout these 5 songs – God is good and His love for us is freely given, unreserved, and overcomes all things.