Galatians 5:4-6 The right practice of spiritual disciplines brings needed grace for growth and breakthroughs

Galatians 5:4-6 The right practice of spiritual disciplines brings needed grace for growth and breakthroughs

4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

Background

The Judaizers, who sought to establish their own righteousness, pride themselves on their abilities, resources, knowledge and heritage while having little regard for God or for others. They strive to project a righteous image through their rituals and religious disciplines. But one who seeks Christ’s righteousness is given grace to bear the fruit of the Spirit and live abundantly. Rituals and spiritual disciplines are important, but more importantly, is why and how you practice them. Today’s devotion teaches us: The right practice of spiritual disciplines will bring needed grace for growth and breakthrough.

Observation

You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

The Judaizers sought to establish their own righteousness; their own brand of perfection by way of the Mosaic law, their Jewish heritage, and their nationalistic facade of strength in numbers. Paul warned the Galatians not to follow after their pattern lest they be similarly cut off from the grace of God. The Judaizers pride themselves on their abilities, resources, knowledge and heritage while having little regard for others. Indeed, people look at one’s outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). And those who harbour such a mindset will be cut off from God’s grace that is able to sanctify and save them. While the law causes one to look good outwardly, grace sanctifies the heart to God’s delight.

The Judaizers surmised that in entering into the Mosaic law, they were not renouncing Christ or His grace. They insisted that both elements are necessary for perfection. However, Paul asserted that both cannot exist in tandem; one who seeks to be justified by human effort through the law cannot at the same time seek to be justified by Christ’s effort! In fact, the animal sacrifices in themselves deny the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice. One who seeks atonement through animal sacrifices is in no uncertain terms saying that Christ’s sacrifice is ineffective in making him righteous. Thus, he has to keep making the sacrifices until the point he is perfected.

Even though the Galatians have yet to make the final step towards circumcision, their mindset has already alienated themselves from Christ and His grace. The failure of the Jews who practiced the Mosaic law for 1,400 years attested to the absolute depravity of human morality. Indeed, it is impossible to live a life that is pleasing to God without Christ’s assistance. One who depends purely on human effort to work out his salvation has summarily cut himself off from Christ. But one who works through the grace of Christ will experience sanctification to obtain eternal life.

For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

Here, Paul contrasted the mindset of the law and the mindset of faith. The former assumes a righteousness that is attained through human effort by observing a set of laws/rituals. But the mindset of faith waits, hopes and depends on the imputation of God’s virtues, wisdom and power (righteousness) through grace. In being imputed with Christ’s righteousness, believers experience abundant living by bearing the fruit and gifts of the Spirit.

Paul made clear that it is not the condition of the outward man (circumcision nor uncircumcision) but rather the inner man that is of the essence. One can be circumcised and yet harbour a mindset of faith in the inner man. And one can be uncircumcised and yet harbour a mindset of the law. The mindset of faith expresses itself in loving God and loving others sacrificially. But the mindset of the law expresses itself in self-centred and fleshly endeavours.

Truth

One who pursues prosperity as the goal of life will be cut off from grace

Grace, that which comes from God causes all that a man does to prosper. It imbues Christ’s attributes to overcome life’s challenges. Grace causes men to bear the divine virtues of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, wisdom (5:22-23). Grace also equips men with divine abilities; the word of wisdom and knowledge, the gift of miracles, healing, faith, prophecy and authority over angels. Apart from grace, there is no enduring security, blessing or eternal life.

Therefore, one who seeks to sanctify his inner man will receive grace to bear the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit. However, one who seeks to be justified by the law, who pursues the things of the world will be cut off from grace. He may project an appearance of righteousness by his high sounding prayers and religious ramblings. But he cannot bear the fruit or exhibit the gifts of the Spirit. His glory is likened to a seashell left in the sun,… captivating on the outside, but dead on the inside. Such a one will commit to bigger houses and cars to present to the world an appearance of prosperity. His extravagance poses a financial strain on his family eventually causing it to breakdown.

Likewise, a church that focuses on perfecting its outward appearance will be cut off from grace. They project an image of superiority by its membership size, grand vision and financial strength. They strive to build a vibrant church scene, by running many programmes, but internally, it is rife with sin, conflicts and malpractices. It is alarming that many of their members have no breakthroughs in their family life or fulfilment in their career and are close to burning out. They are in an awful state of stagnation and many are still entrapped by various addictions.

A church that focuses on sanctifying its members may be inconspicuous, but their impact to the community and to Christendom is immense. They are a source of hope, love, and wisdom to the people around them. Their prayers break bondages and bring immediate reprieve. Their focus is on building the inner man, which is divine wisdom, virtues and spiritual authority. Their members experience continual breakthroughs in their families and careers. They are not competitive in the workplace but strive for the benefit of all. Over time, as they establish the foundations of discipleship, leadership, and kingdom’s culture, they will begin to increase in numbers.

The right practice of spiritual disciplines brings needed grace for growth and breakthroughs.

The converse is true… the wrong attitude in practising them breeds pride and cuts off divine grace. Paul said, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.” Both the Jews and the Gentiles possess cultures and legacies peculiar to their race. And hence it is to be expected their respective forms of worship and religious practices to differ. Therefore, the form does not matter but rather the posture of the heart. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman,

“Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father… But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.” John 4:21,23

It does not matter where (this mountain nor in Jerusalem) and how one worships, but God looks for true worshipers who worship God in spirit and truth. In other words, it does not matter how vibrant or authentic your worship services are, but rather the way you live your life that mirrors your attitude of worship. It does not matter how much knowledge you possess, but rather divine love and wisdom. It does not matter how capable you are but rather the attitude in which you serve. It does not matter how much you have done, but rather your attitude of service. It does not matter, how long you have been a Christian, but your spiritual maturity. It does not matter how much money you have offered to God, but rather your heart for the poor.

Rituals and laws, if practiced with the right attitude: humility, and reverence causes the worshiper to encounter Christ who renders grace without measure. Therefore, as we cultivate the heart of faith through rituals and spiritual disciplines, God grants grace for continual breakthroughs.

Application

Evaluate your church in the light of the individual’s spiritual growth. Are the programs effective in helping the individuals grow in wisdom, character and spiritual gifts? Have the people been experiencing breakthroughs in their family, studies, career and ministry? Can programmes be further streamlined towards helping individuals walk in the Spirit? Can the cell group play a more effective role in helping members grow?

Are the spiritual disciplines of bible reading, prayer and worship effective in helping you obtain needed grace for life? Spiritual disciplines functions as bridges to Christ through whom grace is obtained. The rituals and disciplines by themselves do not imbue grace. Hence, when we read the bible, pray or worship, we must intentionally attune ourselves to Christ. Be still and feel Christ’s tangible presence, His love while being attentive to His directives. Cast your cares upon Jesus and allow Him to take hold of your future. Without consciously attuning ourselves to Jesus, rituals and spiritual disciplines become dry and meaningless.

Dear Lord, I confess my inadequacies and imperfections. I put no confidence in my knowledge, abilities, resources and moral determination. I acknowledge that only you can break the chains of my bondages and bring me life. Sanctify me while I read the word, pray and worship you. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.