March 9 - Galatians 3:1-5

March 9 - Galatians 3:1-5

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

Exasperation.  That’s a tone of voice I heard a lot from my parents and one that I’ve managed to pick up and understand quite well.

Paul isn’t necessarily angry – he’s frustrated.  All of the teaching he offered to the Galatians has been set aside by them as they are caught up in some other contemporary, probably more exciting and more palatable teaching.

We’re as guilty of this as the Galatians were.  Every time a new teacher comes around, or a new worship leader shows up, or a new author hits the shelves … we are entranced with what they are saying and believe that this answers everything!  We’re so gullible.

It’s pretty easy for us to look at the televangelists in the 70s, 80s and 90s and act surprised at the number of people that were taken in by their teaching, and we can giggle at the crazy antics of people as they are hoodwinked by supposed Spirit-filled powers, but we are just as susceptible and we have to be just as careful and watchful.

We rely too much on others to transmit information to us regarding God’s Word.  We rely on our pastors to be dynamic speakers and great leaders, we rely on trusted authors and teachers to take us into scripture and explain what it means, we count on everyone else to do our Christianity for us.  Where does that leave us?  Exactly in the same place that we find the Galatians … ready to accept the newest, most exciting thing that comes along.

I was a bit convicted yesterday as I read C.S. Lewis’ introduction to Athanasius.  He finds that most people are willing to read ‘about’ old books (Plato, Church Fathers, Shakespeare, etc.) but not so quickly willing to read the old books themselves and in so doing, the full understanding is missed – one person’s interpretation is the only thing being presented.

I’m quite guilty of this.  I find myself struggling with ancient phraseology and terminology.  But, as I read through Athansius’ little book “On the Incarnation,” it was incredible to be reading the development of much theology and doctrine that we take for granted.  This is the good stuff!

Paul’s concern for the Galatians as they found themselves caught up in something that he didn’t approve of is expressed in his exasperation.  Would he be concerned for you as well today?