Galatians 3 - Faith or Observance of the Law

1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? 5Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? 6Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

This morning as I was reading my devotional a new understanding occured to me about how much faith and love are intricately entwined. Faith means a deep trust in something, a strongly held belief. Without it, love is impossible, because love is freely offered, not under compulsion or duty. God says he is love. He loved us and offered life to us by faith, not by compulsion, not lording it over us. Not begging and pleading that we come to Him, but asking that we do, and enticing us. He is a gentleman. Thus we are made perfect in His love, wrapped up in it, when we have faith in Him. When we trust in Him-deeply. And, this translates to other areas of life. Having faith, trust, these will perfect love. Not rules, or laws or duties. But faith....love.

The gospel is "living and active" - praise Him for always having new meaning to chew on. Lord, please help me to understand you more fully and your Word more fully. Please teach me your ways and help me to continue to grow.
Amen.