Galatians 3 Part 2

5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

We do not have very many miracles manifesting themselves in the church today. Perhaps many are trying to be good enough to receive them and thus do not get them. We should try to do good and learn from the teachings of the law but it has very little merit when we think we can earn miracles from God, especially when we consider how flawed we really are. We should live as best as we can out of love for God but shouldn't deceive ourselves as to our importance.

In our Christian walk we need to let others know that we have struggles in our lives just as they do. We have not arrived at being righteous in the flesh. If we could attain righteousness in the flesh then Jesus would not have died for all our sins (past, present, and future).   

I know there are some that teach that only our past sins have been forgiven and that God has only given us a new start in life instead of an ever present new life. I remember a preacher declared once that all our sins were in the future when Jesus died for us; thus making a case that Jesus died for all of our sins, past, present, and future.

"I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3.

One of my favorite verses is this,

"Great grace was upon them all" Act 4:33.

Many can try to merit things from God but I have found a better way, great grace. Give me grace, LORD, for I'm not worthy. Work miracles for I have no merit. Lead me by thy hand of grace and show mercy on behalf of Christ.

The longer I've been a Christian, I can still say, I have never arrived at any pinnacle of self-worth. The more I know myself, the more I despise myself. I don't trust myself and must constantly say, "You're dead. Stop thinking that way."

God says the same thing in scripture in order to bring many down to reality when they think they are special.

"Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits" Romans 12:16.

"So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour" 1 Corinthians 3:7-8

"For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" Luke 14:11.

I like to share with you how many claim to have miracles in your life. It is contrary to what Galatians teaches,

"Obedience brings success; exact obedience brings miracles."

"Obedience Brings God's Favor ."

“Faith is obedience in action and obedience brings forth blessings and miracles.”

Did you have enough? I did. Faith is obedience to the gospel but it is not works. You can do works of faith but not works that becomes faith. Remember James who said, "Faith without works is dead?" We are saved by faith but who did the works of salvation? God did. Yes, you are saved by works but not your works. You are saved by the works of God.  

Faith might teach us there is a reward to be given to those who feed the poor. But in order to claim the reward we must do the work. However, feeding the poor is not salvation and we are not saved by the works of our own faith. So when someone says we are saved by faith and works. Agree with them. However, explain to them that the works of salvation was done by the Father sending Jesus to die on the cross, shedding his blood for the remissions of our sins and then God resurrecting Him from the dead. Thank God faith was not without works. God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost did the works in salvation. It is not of ourselves. 

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" John 6:29.

TO BE CONTINUED...