In The Word
Read: Galatians 3:1-18
Faith Brings Righteousness
3 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. 7 Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
10 For all who are of works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the Law, to do them.” 11 Now, that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “the righteous one will live by faith.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “The person who performs them will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Intent of the Law
15 Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Good works do not save us and do not make us right in God’s eyes, only faith in the work of Yeshua on the cross saves and justifies us. We cannot do enough good deeds or obey enough commands to earn a place in Heaven, as God says, “All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isaiah 64:6).
If we are not saved or made right with God by obeying commands and doing good works, then why do them? First, because God says we are to live that way and it pleases Him. Second, following God’s commands are for our good and keep us away from the traps of the enemy. God’s ways lead us down the Ancient Path that provide joy, peace, and an abundant life. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Third, following God’s commands and doing good deeds to others are clear signs that we are saved and we love God: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Fourth, our good behavior distinguishes us from the sinful world and shows them the better way, which leads them to glorify God (Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12).
Your life is to clearly display the saving power of Yeshua to a lost and dying world by wholeheartedly following God’s commands and doing good deeds to those around us, including to those who do not deserve it.