23 December 2016

Galatians 3:7-9

New International Version (NIV)

7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 

8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

When we read the Old Testament, it’s a book of extra-large heroes (Moses! David!) and extra-large miracles. It’s easy for ordinary, non-miraculous people like us to be intimidated by all of this. How many of your friends have led an army, after all?

When the early church was just beginning, one of the big problems the apostles faced was that they were unsure if their new faith was separate from the existing Jewish tradition. Galatians, written by Paul, is an important chapter because it establishes that yes, even us Gentiles who don’t keep kosher or follow every law set down in the Old Testament can be true believers. It establishes that there are no requirements for being a true follower of Christ other than faith.

Looking at the Old Testament and reading the news headlines of today, it’s easy to think that we’re in a time after miracles. It’s easy to think that all of God’s big plans are finished, that all of the heavy lifting was done for us by the prophets and the heroes in the book. 

God doesn’t see it that way. To Him, even the meekest, weakest, seemingly least significant of us can do great things because we have the power of love. God has shown us that every person, every penny, every moment of faith and small act of kindness is great enough for His love.

I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

Luke 15:7

Faith is not a birthright. God doesn’t require us to move mountains for Him. All that He asks is that we believe and trust in Him, and that will always be enough.