tools for you
Trying vs. Trusting
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:3 NIV).
The great news is we are not only saved by grace, but we live by grace. Thank God!! Everything we have - every blessing, every gift, every provision comes to us by his grace. Undeserved. Unearned. Unmerited. Grace.
His favor toward us is grace. Grace has an amazingly deep effect on people, and it comes to those who walk by faith - who believe what He says (Gal 3:6). As Paul says in this passage, remember that the Christian life not only begins with faith (believing His Word/promise), but it continues by faith. Let's not start spiritually and end fleshly. Keep pursuing a faith-fueled relationship with God, and don't get stuck relying on your own effort.
Consider the difference between a sailboat and a rowboat. In a spiritual rowboat the sailor is dependent upon human effort. In a spiritual sailboat the sails are raised in faith and the undying power of the wind of the spirit propels the boat forward--it is still entirely necessary that the boat move, but the power source of the sailboat is unquenchable.
Throw Wide Your Sails
Stop "trying" and start TRUSTING. Is there a new way for you to rely - really rely - on the promise of the One who is our unquenchable Source?
selah
pause. meditate.
- Galatians 3:3-9 NIV
- Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing - if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
