FAITH IN GOD’S GRACE BRINGS FREEDOM
The book of Galatians clarifies and emphasizes that the Gospel is a Gospel of grace and not of performance to the law. It has the same emphasis as Romans 8. Living by God’s grace is easy when we become a Christ conscious believer!
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. —Galatians 2:20,21 MEV
FAITH RELEASES THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Hearing and believing the Gospel brought grace into our lives. We are saved by faith and we are to live in freedom by faith, faith in what Christ has done not what we can do in and of ourselves! It took God’s grace to save us and it will take God’s grace to mature us.
This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh. —Galatians 3:2,3 MEV
Now it is evident that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, for “The just shall live by faith.”— Galatians 3:11 MEV
FAITH RECEIVES THE BLESSING
Grace can be defined as: “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense!” Because of Jesus, we have received the promise of the Holy Spirit, God’s blessing is upon us!
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us—as it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—so that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.— Galatians 3:13-14 MEV
Grace has made us Sons and heirs, freely with no effort on our part.
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus… And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. —Galatians 3:26, 29 MEV
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”—Galatians 4:6 MEV
WALK IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT BY FAITH
How do we keep the freedom that Christ has purchased for us? We walk by faith and we walk in the Spirit! There is a contrast in the book of Galatians. Faith, Grace and Spirit versus Works, law and flesh. Choose faith!
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. —Galatians 5:1 MEV
Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh… But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.—Galatians 5:16,18 MEV
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.—Galatians 6:7,8 MEV
OUR BLESSING IN CHRIST
Ephesians 1 is such a rich portion of scripture you have to give it your full attention of study and meditation to it. Here is a break down of the chapter to help you discover the powerful truths of your spiritual identity that will change your life!
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
CONFESS: “In Christ I am blessed, empowered to prosper by the Father!”
[4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
CONFESS: “In Christ I am chosen by the Father! In Christ I am holy and blameless before the Father!”
[5] having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
CONFESS: “In Christ I have a destiny, a future and a potential! In Christ I am an adopted son of the Father!”
[6] to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
CONFESS: “In Christ the beloved I am accepted and highly favored by the Father!”
[7] In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace [8] which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
CONFESS: “In Christ I have been redeemed from poverty, sickness and spiritual death! In Christ I have been forgiven of all sin—past, present and future!”
[9] having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, [10] that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-in Him.
CONFESS: “In Christ I have a spiritual family (the local church) and a future homecoming (the rapture of the church)!”
[11] In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, [12] that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
CONFESS: “In Christ I have a future inheritance prepared for me (rewards at the Judgment seat of Christ)”
[13] In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
CONFESS: “In Christ I am sealed by the Holy Spirit, I belong to God! In Christ I have a guarantee, my eternity has been secured by the Holy Spirit! In Christ I have a resurrected body (purchased possession) awaiting me!”
THE BELIEVERS PRAYER
Notice the Apostle Paul’s reveals what the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives. He wants to open our eyes to who the Father has declared us to be. This is a prayer that you can pray over your life. Paul prayed that we could know and understand and experience God’s calling on our life, our inheritance (that is what belongs to us), and His transforming power and presence.
The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power—Ephesians 1:17-19 MEV
Summary:
The book of Galatians encourages us to rely on faith in what the Spirit can do in and through us versus relying on our own ability to perform and meet God’s law.
Discussion Points:
How does faith come? How do we develop our faith? How do we rely on the Spirit? Why is it so important to see yourself as a son?
Next Step:
Recognize that God’s grace manifests in your life when we yield to the Holy Spirit by faith.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you that your blessing is upon my life! Thank you for giving me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of your Son Jesus. Thank you for revealing to me Your calling, Your inheritance for me, and Your presence and power in my life. I choose to live by faith!
Finish Strong! 