Galatians: the Spiritual Options are Better

The Bible is rife with life lessons, meaningful maxims, powerful principles, and revitalizing revelations that enlighten the human mind when understood and transform the human being when applied.

For the month of October, my fiancée and I agreed to go through a series of devotionals on the book of Galatians as part of our joint spiritual growth disciplines. We are not by any means attempting to go 'scholarly' on our study of Scripture (as valuable as it is); we simply desire to know God and His word more, especially in the context of us looking forward to living out our walk with Jesus together as husband and wife.

As of this writing, we are on the second devotional series on Paul's letter to the church of Galatia. I think we will be able to go through a third one before the month ends. 

At the outset of this joint study on the book of Galatians, the thought of learning more spiritual things that can be applied in practical ways piqued my interest: it would after all be helpful for me in my line of work. But I was also excited because it was one way my fiancée and I could incorporate in one activity three of the things we love: spending time with God, spending time with each other, and writing in our blogs (I suggested we write about our insights from our readings as part of our monthly writing challenge).

Several years ago (2011 I think) I was able to read the book of Galatians. This was the year I read the entire Bible from cover to cover. The first and only time... thus far. During this time of immersing myself in the Word of God, I experienced how wise, invigorating, and life-affirming the Bible was. It spoke to me, encouraged me, comforted me, guided me, and strengthened me in ways no person ever could. I learned the value of constantly feeding my mind with Scripture as it nurtured my body, soul, and spirit.

Over the years, as I maintained a personal devotional life -- or quiet time, as some might call it -- every passage of Scripture and every motivational article I read added on to the foundation of God's word that was already established in me. This recent study on Galatians did the same.

Throughout the weeks of devotionals on Paul's epistle to the Galatian church, one truth fleshed out in five contrasts clearly stood out for me:

THE SUPERNATURAL vs THE CARNAL

- Grace vs Goodness

- Faith vs Function

- Love vs Legalism

- Spirit vs Self

- Relationship vs Religion

The Supremacy of the Supernatural vs the Carnal

Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? -- Galatians 3:3 NIV

It is pretty much plastered all over the Bible that the spiritual realm is superior and infinitely more important than the physical realm. God is a spirit. The angels are spirits. Satan and his demons are spirits. And the works of these spiritual beings direct, define and determine the outcomes of everything in the natural created order.

The apostle Paul highlights this truth and discusses it in detail over the six chapters of this letter. He sheds light on mankind's ability to start their walk with God in full dependence on His supernatural nature, only to later on fizzle out and start trusting man-made beliefs, rituals, and traditions instead.

He then brings focus back to the all-sufficiency of God's work through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and that no add-ons are necessary: the Father's love and amazing grace is enough; Jesus's sacrifice on the cross and victory over death is enough; the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit is enough. Man's part is to believe, receive, and live by faith.

I see this principle broken down into bite-size, practical portions that can be applied in our daily lives, especially in areas where we tend to strive in the flesh to earn our heavenly position or attempt to feel worthy of it.

- Grace vs Goodness

Grace is one of God's unchanging qualities that is displayed in his generosity to all living things. It is not motivated by anything outside of God himself. Goodness is the currency mankind uses to gain favor with God. It operates under the assumption that our efforts can measure up to His divine standards.

Grace allows us to live at rest at the receiving end of God's goodness -- including a righteous standing in His sight through Jesus -- free of charge. Man's goodness allows us to feel accomplished in our own eyes as we attempt to earn righteousness without really accomplishing anything since any righteous thing we do only amounts to a filthy rag in God's eyes.

- Faith vs Function

Faith to me is simply putting one's complete trust in God and that He is able to what He says He will do, in the way only He can do, and at the time He knows is right. It's a total surrender of control and an unapologetic abandon of self to the Master Planner of the universe. Function is defined as "activity that is natural to or the purpose of a person or thing." Biblically, it is our human nature -- both the divine and the fallen; it is the works that we do in our flesh in an attempt to reach God Who is a spirit.

Faith is what got us started in our walk with God. It is faith that will sustain us on the journey. And faith that will get us to our eternal destination. Our functions -- physical abilities, talents, skills -- can only go so far. Our works did not initiate our salvation; God did. Our striving will not enable us to persevere on the path of righteousness; the Holy Spirit will. Our efforts will not give us access into everlasting life; Jesus is the Door.

- Love vs Legalism

Love is benevolence, affection, and goodness shown towards another regardless of reciprocation or merit, and is sourced from God alone. Legalism is benevolence, affection, and goodness (or anything else) done out of obligation to a law -- and sometimes under spiritual duress to be righteous from one's self-righteousness.

Love seeks to set free and give freedom freely. Legalism seeks to set free but really binds us with the unattainable expectation of perfection. Love corrects when a mistake is made. Legalism condemns and magnifies the mistake. Love lifts us up where we belong. Legalism keeps us down where we don't.

- Spirit vs Self

Those of us who are in Christ know that following Him cannot be done in our own strength. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God after all. So it is living in the Holy Spirit that enables us to abide in Jesus, not relying on our self to remain in Him.

The Holy Spirit is our guide, enabler, comforter, and teacher. The self is the hinderer, confuser, disruptor, and corruptor. The Holy Spirit empowers, enlightens and encourages. The self degrades, darkens, and discourages.

- Relationship vs Religion

Lastly, the book of Galatians emphasizes our relationship with God as his children. The Apostle Paul steers the church of Galatia away from lifeless religion and toward the life-giving Father-child dynamic.

Relationship focuses on 'being, while religion focuses on 'doing'. Relationship places value on the person, not so much on what they can do. Religion gives value to what a person can do, not so much on who they are. 

Relationship says 'God accepts me because I am His'. Religion says 'God accepts me because I did this'.

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The Bible is rife with life lessons, meaningful maxims, powerful principles, and revitalizing revelations that enlighten the human mind when understood and transform the human being when applied. That cannot happen unless we first take time to go into the Word of God and, over the years, allow Him build on that foundation.