Thursday 09 October 2008

Background

The previous chapter of Galatians offered a little let up in thehigh-octane energy assault but here, Paul tackles head on theGalatians' misunderstanding of the basics of being afollower.

Paul almost sounds like a belligerent radio phone-in host, hisrebuking tone just does not let up. He views the Galatians aspeople who have been "bewitched", enthralled by teaching thatveered from the core message of the good news. He sees it as hisduty to clear up any confusion and re-orientate the Galatians inthe right direction.

His main tool is asking them tough questions, forcing them toreally think about the first principles of their faith. His mostincisive remark has to be that in the first verse, where he bringsthe Galatians right back to what is most integral about their faith- Jesus' crucifixion (verse 2). He forces them to reflect on theiract of choosing a skewed version of the gospel despite knowingChrist had been crucified for them.

Paul's own experience of Jesus and the Holy Spirit was that it hadbeen radically transformative - and he is desperate for theGalatians to know this fullness of God as well. As he writes in aletter to the Ephesians(3:20) a few years later, life in Christ means there is"abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine" available tous from God. It is this clear vision of Jesus and his message whichPaul hopes will protect the Galatians from the misguided beliefthat rigid observance of rules and rituals will lead to perfectionand peace.

To Ponder

In what unexpected corners of you life can youlook back on now and see where God was in abundance? (Although youmay not have known it at the time...)

In one of Philip Yancey's books he often quoteshis father-in-law. This man would sum up his faith by saying "Lifeis hard. God is good. Heaven is sure". While acknowledging thetrials and suffering our lives and the lives of those in ourcommunities can incorporate, there is a radical hope and joy to behad. How do you balance the harsh realities of life with the hopethat "When God suppl[ies] you with the Spirit [he] works miraclesamong you" (verse 5)?