Galatians 3-4

Paul is very upset with the Galatians for have been led astray by the "voices" of their detractors. It reminds me of how I feel as a parent. When I've poured my life into my children, and they decide to go another way, I truly do feel like Paul when he says,

"My little children, for whom I am again suffering birth pangs until Christ is completely and permanently formed (molded) within you." Galatians 4:19 Amplified Version

Isn't that just like a parent? I just want to know that they run with God all of their lives, and until then, I suffer birth pangs until Christ is permanently molded within them. :0

But the Blog today is not about parenting, it's about a faith like Abraham. How did Abraham live? Was he Law driven?

Abraham was a Chaldean from the land of Ur (the area of old Sumeria in Mesopotamia). He was polytheist, just as his father was. But when God called him and set him apart, he became monotheist and believed in God. God credited that to him as righteousness. Wow! That was simple! There were not a whole list of laws and regulations to follow in order to please God. The only thing God wanted was faith in Him.

Heb 11:6 ISV Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently search for him.

And that is exactly what Abraham did, he believed. He had faith. Here's what Paul has to say about it:

Galatians 3:6 Amplified Version Thus Abraham believed in and adhered to and trusted in and relied on God, and it was reckoned and placed to his account and credited as righteousness (as conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought and action).

Breaking it apart:

My works mean nothing to God. He is at work in me because I have accepted Him as my Savior. He is changing me from the inside out. All I have to do is live by faith:

1. Believe in God. Do you believe that God exists? That He sent His only Son to die for your sins so you can have a loving, personal and real relationship with Him? That Jesus rose from the dead forever abolishing death?

2. Adhere to God. Stick to Him like glue (I actually wrote those words in my Bible). Make Him the center of your life. Let everything revolve around Him. You can't go wrong.

3. Trust in Him. We can trust that He really does love us, that He wants what is best for us. He wants to bless us. He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). He works all things out for our good (Romans 8:28).

4. Rely on Him. You can count on God. He wants to work great things in you and around you. He will give you answers, He will lead you and guide you. You can rely on Him.

May God grow your faith! God will credit it to you as righteousness.