Begin and Complete by Faith (Galatians 3:1-5)

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-5

Today’s Word

¹ You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. ² I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? ³ Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? ⁴ Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? ⁵ So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

Background

Key Terms Made Simple

• Bewitched: Being under a spell-like deception, unable to see the truth and falling into falsehood
• The Spirit: The Holy Spirit, God’s presence who dwells in believers and gives new life
• The law: The 613 rules and commands God gave to Israel in the Old Testament
• The gospel: The good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and rose again
• Experienced: The suffering and persecution they endured because of their faith in Jesus

Key Expressions to Notice

1. “Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified”
2. “After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?”
3. “By your believing what you heard”

Main Points of the Text

1. Salvation Begun by Faith – The Galatian believers received the Holy Spirit by believing the gospel, not by works of the law. Salvation is God’s grace from beginning to end.
2. Faith Cannot Be Completed by Works – It is foolish to try to complete by human effort what was begun by the Spirit. Both the beginning and completion happen through faith.
3. The Spirit and Miracles as Evidence of Faith – God gave the Holy Spirit and worked miracles not because of their law-keeping but because they believed the gospel. This is proof that salvation is by grace.

Applying to My Life

1. Recovering First Love – Remember the joy and wonder when you first believed in Jesus. Why were you saved then? Was it because of your good works, or because of your faith in Jesus?
2. Guarding Against Works-Righteousness – Be careful of the thought, “I must work harder to earn God’s approval.” While effort is important, it must not become a condition for salvation. Our efforts are a response of gratitude, not conditions for salvation.
3. Returning to the Gospel Daily – Begin each day by hearing and believing the gospel. Daily confess the truth: “I am saved by the grace of Jesus’ cross.”

Think About It

1. Am I currently living by faith, or am I trying to earn God’s approval through my works and efforts?
2. Do I remember the Holy Spirit’s work and the joy I experienced when I first believed in Jesus? How am I different now from then?
3. In my Christian life, is there something I think “I must do this much” that feels burdensome? Is this truly what God desires, or is it a law I’ve created for myself?