Over the last several weeks, we’ve taken a deep-dive into the Book of Galatians, Paul’s letter, written by his own hands to the Church at Galatia. It’s a mere six chapters sharing the testimony of his own journey from Law to Grace.

It all started with his early years. Though born in Southern Turkey, Paul was raised in Jerusalem and tutored by a well-respected Jewish Rabbi. Before his conversion, he was considered one of the most brilliant Jewish Pharisees of his day.

His given name at birth was Saul, meaning: ‘significant one, or sought after.’ Later he was given the name Paul, meaning “little or small;” and while his divine encounter may have been small, it was far from insignificant. It took about 17 years for him to outlive his reputation and for his real ministry develop, but God had big plans for him.

Respond: What does your name mean? Has the meaning of your name ever influenced how you see yourself, your future, or God’s calling on your life?

Galatians is a dear letter to me, life-changing because I can relate to it so well. The belief system I was raised in leaned toward legalism. It majored on sin, works, and appearances. We often called it: rings, things and hair-dos. The real question was whether one could ever be sure of their salvation. Every thought, word, emotion, attitude, or action was judged by others. I internalized that and felt like each test, feeling of guilt, and condemnation was actually God’s confirmation that He didn’t want me in Heaven. He’d already made up His mind about me, and His pursuit of me was to catch and disqualify me from having eternal life with Him. It never occurred to me that He’d been on a rescue mission nearly all my life and that He wanted me!

…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. —John 10:10 NKJV

I don’t, in any way, want to disregard the experiences that I had in my local church. Those congregations loved me and our family. They gave us opportunities to serve, be mentored, lead, and learn. But the doctrinal undercurrent was ‘what if?’ So we served, obeyed, repented, prayed, and tithed. We did it all, fully believing that was our only way to find acceptance in Him. Our whole goal was Heaven, and we had very little understanding of grace.

I found grace through my husband. Greg’s journey to grace came after leaving Bible College. A professor scolded him that by transferring to a University, he was choosing to live in the bondage of Egypt, rather than looking for the Promised Land; yet, it was at the University that he was first introduced to the Holy Spirit. In turn, my dear husband taught me all about Him.

Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life. When your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit you hinder him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your self-life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit. But when you yield to the life of the Spirit, you will no longer be living under the law, but soaring above it! —Galatians 5:16-18 TPT

Trying to satisfy the law requires self-sufficiency instead of trusting in Him. We think we can do it on our own. Living under the grace of the Spirit allows Him to have control. It’s a life full of opportunity, righteousness, peace, joy, and the fruit of the Spirit. It’s a wonderful life, abundant in grace. Anyone can come to the table. He loves you in whatever shape and condition you are in. In the midst of our frustration and pain, we can always find refuge in Him.

Whatever you are struggling with at this moment, give it to Jesus. Step into the fullness of His grace. Accept the abundant life He has for you, and walk in freedom today.

Journal: What has the Holy Spirit shown you about grace in your own life throughout the study of Galatians?

Activation: Identify something that is hindering you from walking in grace. Maybe it’s unforgiveness; choose to forgive. Maybe it’s the lack of margin in your life; choose to relinquish the need to overcommit so that you have the time and energy to spend more time with Jesus and your loved ones. Maybe it’s too much noise; choose to limit your time on social media or take a break all-together. Maybe it’s the habit of legalism; choose to hold others and yourself to a standard of grace instead of perfection. Whatever it may be, choose to make a change this week. Journal so that you can hold yourself accountable.

Prayer:

God, I know that by grace I have been saved through faith so that I may have eternal life, but so often I try to achieve this on my own. There is nothing I can do to earn Your favor for You have already given it to me. Help me put aside those things that are holding me back from accepting the love You so freely give and walk in the fullness of Your grace. Amen