Let the Gospel Sink In

By: Jack Xu, former YG member (Class of 2005)

Read Galatians 5

Introduction to Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians:
This letter was directed not to a church or a city, but to an entire region. It is evident that Paul has a history with this region, either planting the Christian movement, and/or helping it mature and grow. Recently, some false teachers have been leading the people astray. They stressed an observance for the Law of Moses with the help of Christ. They also were trying to undermine Paul’s authority in order to become more powerful themselves. Paul has harsh words for the false teachers. In verse 12, he says that he wishes the people who are preaching circumcision would not stop at circumcision, but continue on and emasculate (cut it off, mutilate) themselves. This is the seriousness of the heresy.

Reflections:
1) Romans 4:13 says, “It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.” Even before the Law of Moses was given, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3). In other words, righteousness was loaned to Abraham because he had faith. In his holy bank account, it read ‘righteous’. Verse 4 says that “you who are trying to be justified by the law have been aliened from Christ”. Maybe by doing this devotional you are one step closer to holiness… silly right? But we seriously do believe that our holy bank accounts are lacking in funds, and but depositing good works we can make it read ‘righteous’. What are you trying to deposit? What is your motivation?

2) Verse 6 says the only thing that counts is faith, expressing itself through love! We feel like we can’t love all the time; we feel like we have to make up by doing more. Romans 3:24 says “all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” If you have faith in Jesus Christ, you are now considered holy. Even during the times of your worst sin and depravity, at that very moment, God looks at you and considers you blameless. You were once a sinner that was saved by grace, and now you are a saint who struggles with sin. Realize the new life that you have with Christ Jesus and reflect on that.

3) In Romans 7:4 Paul says that we believed in Christ and died to the law, “that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” The end of Galatians 5 tells us that the fruits of the spirit have no law against them, that it is completely separate from the law. Fruits take time and grow, on plants that are well watered and in the light. Paul tells us that if we walk by the Spirit and keep close to God, we will be well watered and well lit. The truth is the more we let the message of the gospel sink in, the more we will walk by the Spirit. Remember the gospel and let it sink in. Take time to pray and to get closer to our God.