Digging Deeper: Galatians 3:15-29
Day 1: Embracing The Gospel of Grace
Grace is not about earning God's favor; it's about living in His promise. This is really good news, because we are not able to perform, behave, or achieve our way to God. Understanding that our relationship with God is based on His promises and not our performance liberates us from the burden of trying to earn His love. This truth allows us to live freely and joyfully, secure in the knowledge that our salvation is a gift, not a reward for our efforts. Grace is really two things, first it is God’s undeserved favor on us. Second, it is the power of God at work in us through the Holy Spirit. Embracing grace means our confidence is in what Christ has done for us and means we do not rely on our power or works, but in the power of God at work in our lives.
Galatians 3:16-17 (ESV) - Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
Romans 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Reflection:
How does understanding that your relationship with God is based on promise rather than performance change the way you approach your relationship with God?
Reflect on any areas of your life where you might be relying on your own efforts rather than trusting in God’s promises. Confess these before God and ask for His help to rest in His grace.
Day 2: The Scandal of Grace
Grace often appears too good to be true. The scandalous nature of grace is exactly what makes it so powerful—it is unearned, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their past or failures. This radical idea should not only comfort us but also challenge us to extend the same grace to others, fostering a community of forgiveness and acceptance.
Titus 3:4-5 (ESV)- "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy."
Grace seems scandalous, until we are the ones who are in need of grace.
Read Luke 15:11-32. Jesus tells a story (parable) about the prodigal son. In my opinion the parable should be called the prodigal sons. There is one son who is obedient, we could call him religious. There is another son who is rebellious. The rebellious son does not want a relationship with his father, he just wants the inheritance he thinks he deserves. This new found money leads him to live a life marked rebellion. His new friends and party hard life style leaves him emotionally, financially, spiritually, and physically bankrupt. He literally started eating the slop meant for pigs, which is significant because according to Old Testament Law, pigs are unclean. This man has hit rock bottom.
The rebellious son returns to the father, and what takes next is shocking.
Reflection:
How does the Father respond to the return of his prodigal, rebellious son?
How does the Father’s action show the heart of God? How is this grace?
Why do you think the older brother responded the way he did? Why do you think the older brother thought his Father’s actions were so scandalous?
How did the Father respond to the older son?
Take a couple minutes and reflect on how God has shown you grace.
Who in your life needs to experience the scandalous grace you have received? How can you extend this grace to them this week?
Day 3: Faith Before Works
The story of Abraham reminds us that righteousness comes through faith, not through the law or any human effort. This is Paul’s primary argument in Galatians 3. Since Abraham is “The Father of Israel”, his relationship with God is a prototype of how we all have a relationship with God. Here is the big question, “How did Abraham become righteous?” Was it by his performance, or was it by putting his faith in the character and promises of God? The answer is; it was by faith that Abraham was made righteous. This is foundational and liberating, emphasizing that our relationship with God depends solely on faith in Jesus Christ.
Our faith is not a dead faith. Our faith informs what we do. Our faith fuels our worship and our obedience. Because we can have confidence that Jesus is who He says He is, and will do everting He has promised to do, we can live by faith, walk by faith, and put our faith into action.
Abraham and Sarah were chosen by God and promised by God to have a family through whom the whole world would one day be blessed. Here is the thing, Abraham was 75 years old, and he and Sarah had no children. I don’t know anyone in there 70’s planning a baby shower. They believed the impossible was possible, because God said it would happen.
Genesis 15:3-6 (ESV) - And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Reflection:
Why do you think Abraham questioned whether or not the promise would come true? Have you ever wondered if God’s promises would come true in your life?
Take a minute and in your own words, define the word “believed”. When the scripture says “Abraham believed the Lord”, what do you think it means, he believed?
Day 4: The Role of the Law
If we are not saved by the Old Testament Law, then what was the purpose of the law?
The law really had 3 functions:
To reveal the character and holiness of God.
To guard our lives.
To reveal our sin.
The law was given to reveal our sinfulness and our need for a Savior, not as a means to achieve righteousness. God who is good, gave us good rules to live by. The law however was never intended to be used as a tool for personal works and salvation. Understanding this helps us appreciate the law's role as a guide that leads us to Christ, where true forgiveness and life are found.
The law was like a guardian - it was meant to reveal to us, to teach us, to show us how much trouble we are really in, and how even single one of us are people who are in need of a Savior.
Galatians 3:23-24 (ESV)-“Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith."
Read Exodus 20 today for yourself and answer the following reflection questions.
Reflection:
How do the 10 Commandments reveal the character of God?
Would you say these are good rules/ commandments to live by?
If God who is good, gives us good rules to live by, but we do not keep them, what does that say about us?
How does viewing the law as a guide to Christ change your perception of God's commandments? How can this perspective help you grow in grace?
Day 5: Covered And Clothed In Christ
Galatians 3:25-27 (ESV)- But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Jesus is better than the law! In fact the law was meant to point us to Jesus!
Because we have been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, Paul says there are few changes that have happened in us. Not only are we saved from our sin, but we are adopted children of God. God is our Father!
We are also baptized into Christ. This happens when we receive the Holy Spirit upon Salvation.
We are also clothed and covered in Christ. This is amazing!
Being 'in Christ' means that every aspect of our lives is covered by His grace and power. Remember how earlier this week we read about the prodigal/rebellious son? Upon his return his father hugged him, then gave him a ring with the family crest, giving him a new identity, and then covered him in a robe.
The father’s actions say to the son and to the world, “This is my son, he is part of my family, and he is clothed and covered, he is no longer defined by his past. He is defined by me.” This is what God does to us and for us when we are saved by Jesus. How amazing is God’s love, grace, and provision?
This identity should influence every decision and action, reminding us that we are secure and loved, not because of what we do, but because of who we are in Him. This truth should empower us to live confidently and righteously.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Reflection:
In your own words, define what it means to be, “in Christ”?
Why do you think it is so important that we are reminded that our identity is in Christ?
Pray for the Holy Spirit to continually remind you of your identity in Christ—that you are secure, loved, and empowered to live righteously because of who you are in Him, not because of what you do.
Ask for opportunities to demonstrate this identity in your daily interactions, decisions, and responses to challenges. Pray that your life would be a testament to the transformative power of being, "in Christ.”