March On

GALATIANS 3:1-12

Key Verse:
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? for, The just shall live by faith" (Galatians 3:3,11b).

In every race, there are times it may appear that all the strength is gone and there's no more power to pull through. Those who compete in long distance race say the hardest point is always towards the finishing line, when all strength appears to have gone and it seems the runner may drop dead the next second. This is usually the challenge and flash of discouragement which come before a crown. But the sprinter is kept on the track by sheer determination and eyes fixed on the trophy. Paul the apostle did not take it lightly with believers in the Galatian church. He had known their zeal and the level they were operating with God in time past. All of a sudden, things began to fall apart; strong believers were becoming cold and carnal. It was a big concern to him that he concluded that their current state must have been influenced by some extraneous influence. He asked them, "who hath bewitched you...?" (verse 1). He noted that they started well but expressed sadness that while he was expecting them to be progressing, they were regressing. However, he encouraged them to see the race as a spiritual journey that can be accomplished by faith and not by a bundle of physical strength. He reminded them that the Christian race is not a carnal one, but one that demands partnership with God at all times through faith. In the Christian race, there comes a time when a believer begins to question the rationale behind life of obedience to God. There comes a time when a believer begins to think God has abandoned him. At that point, the believer must endeavour to hold on to the "faith of our fathers". It does gladden the heart to realise that some others who had passed through the furnace here on earth are right now in the bosom of the almighty God, being comforted. Consistent walk with God therefore, demands a great deal of faith.

Thought for the day: Anytime you step out by faith, you step into victory.

Bible Reading in one Year: ZEPHANIAH 1 - 3