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Scripture Reading:    Galatians 3:2-3

Many say they believe in salvation by grace through faith, but they retreat to legalism and the power of the flesh when it comes to living the Christian life. The Apostle Paul addressed this very problem among the Galatians. "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:2-3

Pastors and churches are often the worst offenders when it comes to imposing laws on our congregation. We want to see the saints living holy lives, so we tend to formulate sets of "rules" which, if obeyed, will produce the "model Christian." These rules may be noble and righteous, and may truly represent a godly lifestyle. But the danger comes when people conform to our standard simply to please man. This leads to pride and a Pharisaical attitude which says, "Come not near to me; for I am holier than thou" (see Isaiah 65:5).

God's method of sanctification (holy living) is the same as His method of salvation: by faith. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). When we saturate ourselves with the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to apply His Word to our lives, we will live godly in Christ Jesus without even trying. This is the principle of fruit-bearing which Paul explains in Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..." ect. We do not have to post a set of rules in front of a fruit tree, we just water it and fertilize it, and God does the rest. So it should be with the believer.