QT 7 Oct 16, Gal 3:1-5, Do we really understand how great God's love for us is?

Galatians 3:1–5 (ESV) — 1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 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—

NOTE: It is important not to dismiss Paul's urgency and emotion to a Type A personality or an overly aggressive style of relating. Paul has already related a public rebuke of one of the pillars of the church, Peter; he has implicated Barnabas in the same fault; and his opening comments are unique among his letters in the absence of any good or encouraging comments. Now, Paul calls the Galatians foolish (a mindless person) and bewitched (tricked by black magic). Next, his imagery of Jesus brings up the importance and key point of his whole argument -- why do you think Jesus had to die? Or what did Jesus die for? The Christian life is obtained by faith (our justification) and lived by faith. We certainly can please God with our actions or works, but we cannot obtain any more favor or love from God than what we obtained when we put our faith in Christ. We cannot lose that love or favor. We are his children now, adopted sons and daughters, and joint heirs with Jesus. We do live life on this earth to do his work and to glorify him. We are here to be witnesses. Our actions do affect our reward and can hinder or help our prayers, but NOTHING changes how much God loves and favors us. No matter how deeply we might disappoint God or fail him, his love for us remains. That should be a comfort, and a great motivation. How amazing and deep the love of God that nothing can separate us from it! We must never ever think we can earn it by works or actions -- God forbid. Else, we don't really understand how great that love really truly is.