Gal 3:3 "Bewitched" (July 15)

May the Crucified Christ and His Name be lifted up today not moralism.

"Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?"
"Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"  Gal 3:3

Life is not about how hard we are trying to do what is right.  People sitting in the pew are so hungry for someone to tell them what to do, so that they could go do it, and be done with it.  Moralism is no substitute for the Gospel. 

We need to hear principles of living but must know what God wants from us---total surrender. Where are our repentant tears?  Oh that the church today might not demand mere moral preaching.  Such a temptation for pastors to stand up and give something of worth in regard to how to live your life this week.  Deliver three points, dole out what works/dumb down the cost/dim the lights.  Do whatever it takes to get them to come back next week.  Don't leave people undone. 

"Who has bewitched you?" This church at Galatia had seen Jesus with their own eyes.  They had shared communion together.  Somewhere in the scheme of Samaria, Galatia, Judea, someone figured out that you could become better at tackling this thing called life.  Do the right thing, do the next thing, do the letter of the law.  And you arrive at a form of godliness, with no power. 

How am I trying to be pefected by my works, by my flesh?  Through serving, through counting my blessings, through being a keeper of the law rather than a keeper of the Gospel.

May we lift up this very day the True Name, the Crucified Christ, and surrender our need to pull it all together. 

"No man knows how bad he is until he tries very hard to be good."  C.S. Lewis