“Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. But he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. So also we, when we were minors, were enslaved under the basic forces of the world. But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God. Formerly when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods at all. But now that you have come to know God (or rather to be known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless basic forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? You are observing religious days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you that my work for you may have been in vain. I beg you, brothers and sisters, become like me, because I have become like you. You have done me no wrong!” Galatians 4:1–12

“But now that you have come to know God (or rather to be known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless basic forces?”

As Lutherans we teach that salvation is all about grace that comes to us through faith, alone. As such, it is G-d who finds us; we do not find G-d. G-d extends grace to us; we have nothing to offer G-d except our prayer, praise and thanksgiving. When we return to the wrong notion that we can earn G-d’s favor, we turn back the clock spiritually.

Yes, there is always a tendency, a human desire to want to revert to the past. Somehow, someway, we want salvation or the Christian life to depend on us earning our way. That is a warm and wonderful feeling — but it is contrary to the Gospel.

Many people need to trade in their “religion” for the gospel of grace found only in the finished work of Christ on the cross. This is a bitter pill to swallow for those who are impressed with their self-effort — but it is a pill worth swallowing. Which is harder — knowing we have done enough to earn salvation — or trusting G-d that Christ has done it all? I know which one I will choose…..

Pastor Dave