Galatians 4:8-9
“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?”
Paul is writing to the Galatian churches in the area we now know as Greece. Jewish Christians had circulated among these Gentile converts pushing the idea that besides faith, they needed to add religious ritual and laws to gain the favor of God. Some Christians were returning to pagan religious acts to add to their faith.
Adding to, or taking away from the Gospel message can put us back into slavery to ourselves and unscrupulous religious leaders. Religion is us trying to get to God – the Gospel is what God did to redeem us. Trying to win the favor of God this way is like trying to get into a room you are already in.
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
- Is faith enough? Ephesians 2:8-9
- Have you done something to gain God’s favor? Romans 5:8
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
A big thanks to Jim Sellers for today’s devotional thought!
Photo by Daoud Abismail on Unsplash