Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

BEWITCHED

October 17, 2012

Not a common term today, bewitched, but still a common phenomenon.

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?...I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you not trying to finish by human effort?"
                                              --Galatians 3:1-3 TNIV

It's incredible, says Paul. You come to faith in Christ, you experience the freedom of the gospel, but then are reverting to some primitive religious devotion. It is so incredible to Paul that he figures they are bewitched, brain-shut-down, what were you thinking???

Rigorous rules and do's and don'ts may be offensive, onerous, but they are black and white. Now, freedom, freedom in Christ, that's a bit more challenge. Freedom is more of a challenge than bondage. To be a slave is to do what you are told. Not much responsibility required there. This is just what the Galatians do, and what we must not. But it does require living in the freedom--a bit more of a challenge than: "Do this, don't do that!"

Joyfully,

Dale Patterson