As you received Christ Jesus, so walk in him,
As you received Christ Jesus, so walk in him,
How did you receive?
Did you receive the Holy Spirit by works of the law or by grace through faith?
You heard, you believed, you confessed Jesus as your Savior and you were saved.
Was it through works? No…
Was a free gift. All you did was to believe.
If you received by faith, should you not walk by that same faith?
Yes, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith.
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit are you now being perfected by the your works (flesh)?
Why are you trying and working in the church or working the law?
You should ask a question now. “Chandru, what about James chapter 2 verse 20?”
James 2:20 English Standard Version (ESV)
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
Galatians 2:3 calls foolish trying to be perfected in works and James 2:20 says do not be foolish, faith without works is useless.
Which is it then? It seems as contradicting statements.
Nope, not a bit.
It means that faith in grace will produce work. Work will not produce faith.
I will leave it at that. Now this is your home work. Meditate and relate what does it mean?
Answer me in the comments. Be blessed by beloved friends.
Be blessed and have a blessed day in Jesus Name.
Amen.
Galatians 3:2-3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
2 This is all I want to ask of you: did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying [the requirements of] the Law, or was it the result of hearing [the message of salvation and] with faith [believing it]?
3 Are you so foolish and senseless? Having begun [your new life by faith] with the Spirit, are you now being perfected and reaching spiritual maturity by the flesh [that is, by your own works and efforts to keep the Law]?