Questions!
Scripture reading for August 19: Galatians 3
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain? Does He Who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith–just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness?” Galatians 3:1-6
In typical rabbinic style, Paul the former Pharisee seeks to bring correction to the world views of those in the Galatian church who had succumbed to the Jewish false teachers that sought to persuade them to return to keeping the law along with faith. Paul asked them a series of questions designed to get them to open their minds and hearts to the truth. Questions help those who are teachable to do a self-examination without putting up a wall of defense. Questions help with honest exploration of possible answers. Questions are a gentler way of confronting those who are deceived to enable them to decide for themselves to admit or confess their deception and thus find deliverance.
Paul’s “O foolish Galatians!” was a life-giving rebuke to help them realize how serious their doctrinal shift was. They had been ‘bewitched’ by an evil spirit that was trying to take them back to religion and good works as a means of salvation. Human effort to be good and keep the law of God will never bring us to righteousness and justification before God. These believers had already gone through suffering for their initial stand of faith for Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah. Paul questioned if their suffering had been in vain or for nothing. Paul’s final question concerned living by faith through the Spirit or if doing the works of the law brought righteousness. The answers to all the questions should have been obvious.
Have you ever been faced with questions concerning your doctrines or core beliefs on salvation? Have you ever had to change your stand and take a new view of God’s plan of salvation? Do you personally find questions as a good way to help you examine your own beliefs?
Prayer: Father God, thank you for asking us questions to open our hearts to receive correction and instruction. Help me to respectfully use questions to help those who may be involved in deception or false teaching. Thank You for the Holy Spirit of Truth that gives me wisdom and discernment. Amen.
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