VII.
Before you reread these words directed to Jesus’ disciples in Galatia, still your spirit, open your mind and heart to any words of encouragement you find.

VIII.
Galatians 3:1-14 (NRSVue)

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing. Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law or by your believing what you heard?

Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would reckon as righteous the gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the gentiles shall be blessed in you.” For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed.

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.” Now it is evident that no one is reckoned as righteous before God by the law, for “the one who is righteous will live by faith.” But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, “Whoever does the works of the law will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” — in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

IX.
What words from Paul seem meant for you today?

Does it encourage you that you can leave behind “the works of the law”?

Or does that seem like a difficult thing to do?

We read “those who believe are blessed….” What blessing comes to mind as you read this?

“Christ redeemed us … so we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

“… redeemed …

… receive the promise of the Spirit through faith….”

What captures you as you hear that you are redeemed?

How do you experience receiving the promised Spirit?

How can you accept this Spirit and live into this redeemed life?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}