The Core of the Faith

Galatians 3:
v. 1a: You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized you...?

There's an interesting way to start a chapter. Why was Paul so upset? It was about works vs. faith. Paul went on to say...

v. 1b: ...Who has hypnotized you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified?

Paul was aghast that anyone who saw Jesus as crucified could possibly believe that living by the law or works saves them. You see, this is the core of the true Gospel message... believing that Jesus, Who is the Son of God, came to this earth, lived among us and was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins. It's believing that three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, having conquered sin and death once for all and was then seated at the right hand of God, His Father.
Paul continued...

v. 10: For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: Cursed is everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law.
v. 11: Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith.

It is humanly impossible, I don't care how good you are, to live to the letter of the law. Our flesh is so limited and so weak. God knows that. God knows that on our own, in this spiritual battle for our souls, we are defenseless. It is a far greater battle than we could ever imagine. Understand...there is one who wants your soul. One who wants to destroy you here and in the life to come. One who doesn't care one iota about you and seeks only to take your hope, your future and your life.

...and God knows that. God does care about you, He loves you...adores you. In His love for you, He sent His Son, Jesus as a sacrifice for you. All you have to do is surrender. Confess to God that you are, indeed, defenseless on your own. Confess that you have sinned and fallen short and you need saved. Believe in your heart and soul and declare outloud that Jesus died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for your sins.

Then God will look at you and see you washed clean and white as snow. Glowing with purity. Free from the stains of sin. You will receive the Holy Spirit as your constant companion and you will be a child of Almighty God. You will have the hope and promise of eternal life with God. You will belong to God.

Romans 8
v. 15b: ...but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"
v. 16: The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children.

Do you know what "Abba" means? It means in our English words, "Daddy". How intimate is that?? That is the kind of relationship God wants to have with you. Intimate. Personal. Real.

A lot of times in a writing such as this, the author will give you a prayer to pray word-for-word to ask Jesus into your heart. I don't want to do that. If you're reading this and have never confessed your sins to God and gave your life to Christ, I believe you should pray from your heart with your words, not mine. I will, however, give you a few suggestions...

CONFESS THAT YOU ARE A SINNER
ADMIT YOU NEED HELP
BELIEVE AND DECLARE THAT JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS AND IS YOUR SAVIOR
THANK HIM

If you've done this for the first time, leave me a comment and let me know. Let me welcome you to the family of Almighty God.

John 3
v. 16: For God so loved that world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Believe!!