If we “fall from grace”. . . can we get up again?
Jun 13, 2011
The Race for Grace - part three in a study of the book of Galatians
By Mike Gaudet
If we “fall from grace”. . .
. . . can we get up again?
“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 observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 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?” Galatians 3:1-5
The Christians in Galatia were acting as if they’d been “bewitched.” Their fall from grace had been so sudden that Paul suggests enchanters must have cast a spell on them. It was as if they’d been hypnotized. He characterizes them as “foolish” because they were oblivious to what had transpired.
The Galatians’ faith had had been built upon a solid spiritual foundation. Paul asserts, “Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.” He had provided them with clear teaching concerning the reality and impact of Christ’s crucifixion. They learned that Jesus died so that children of God need no longer live under jurisdiction of Old Covenant law. The fact that they were once again “observing the law” as a means to earning God’s acceptance showed that they had completely forgotten what they’d been taught.
The Spirit’s influence in our lives is unleashed as we “believe” what we’ve “heard.” This is what the believers in Galatia had forgotten. The questions Paul asks are intended to bring them back to their senses:
"Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?"
"After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"
"Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because
you believe what you heard?"
Paul urges them to remember that they “receive the Spirit” by “believing” God’s commitments rather than by “observing” God’s commandments. He states it succinctly later in the letter, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” Galatians 5:18
When we lose sight of God’s grace we begin to believe that “human effort” makes or breaks spiritual progress. Consider the following questions:
Is it easier for you to pray when you’ve attended church regularly or given faithfully?
When you’ve been disobedient do you “balance the scales” by doing something good?
Do you believe that God loves you more when you’ve been obedient and less when you’ve been
disobedient?
It’s easy for us to imagine that disciplined, determined effort is the essential ingredient if we are to “attain” our spiritual “goal.” The reality is that the Spirit of God is wholly responsible for whatever spiritual advancement we experience. Virtues like “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” are by-products of His influence in our lives . . . they are “the fruit of the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-23
People have varying ideas about the nature of the Spirit’s influence. Some associate the Spirit with subjective impressions. For instance, when a sudden urge to call a friend comes at the precise moment they are in great need. Others associate the Spirit of God with conviction of sin. He is viewed as the One who makes us feel guilty when we do something wrong.
The Spirit’s primary role, however, is neither to give us subjective impressions of what we should do nor convict us of sin.
The Holy Spirit’s primary role is to teach us to relate to God as Father. The Spirit is God’s “change agent.” He increases our responsiveness to God by decreasing our fear of God. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.” Romans 8:15
The Spirit of God is the “Spirit of sonship.” He “testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:16 This gets to the heart of the matter. When we feel abandoned and alone we act in self-centered, self-serving ways.
The Holy Spirit increases our capacity to trust in God’s fatherly care.
Trust in this love and you will discover the ability to love God, others and yourself.