It's about Faith

“…those that rely on faith are blessed along with believing Abraham.
Whereas a curse rests on all who rely upon obedience to the law…”

Galatians 3:9-10 (Moffatt)

In this great letter to the Galatians, Paul pushes one issue very strongly. He desperately wants
these people, who have in all probability received Christ under his ministry, to get this one thing crystal clear in their thinking: You can only be blessed by relying on faith, and you will only be
cursed if you rely on obeying the law.

There is no alternative in the Word of God. There is no “half-way house”.

Jesus Christ has done everything that could be done and everything that needed to be done
– for us. If you come to God through Him you will know the very peace and blessing of God
Himself. But if you try to earn merit with God through your own goodness or your best efforts,
through special offerings or indulgences, through penance or piety, through special prayers or confessions, through baptism or christening or confirmation, through dancing or praying extra
long or extra loud, through helping people or giving generously, through holiness or devotion or
anything else - it will all end up in cursing.

That is the gospel.

I urge you – rely only on faith and thank God for Jesus. The end of all our works has come,
and we can live free and blessed by the merit of Jesus Christ alone!


© 2008 Paul van Essen
Reproduction Prohibited without written permission, except for the purpose of personal
study and encouragement of others.