Access Denied
Galatians 4:8-9 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 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 elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
Paul had written this letter to encourage those in Galatia to remain in their faith alone in Christ Jesus; to not return to the ways of the Law. The Jewish legalists were demanding circumcision as a means to obtain righteousness, and all the demands of the Law. The Judaizers had demanded that Salvation was obtained in the Law, and Paul had refuted that claim; that Christ had come to compete the Law that no man could ever obtain righteousness in. The Law points us to our need for Christ, but we do not gain access to Christ through it. That is a works based faith system, and puts the power of access to God in your ability, and not in the grace of God through Christ’s sacrifice. The understanding of justification through that grace is the only means of salvation and access to God. Justification by faith alone. Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
It is sad to see so many religions today that still preach justification by works; to gain access to God by ritualistic methodology that places the faith in ones own works, or the completion of the tasks required to gain access alone. The only task that is truly required by God is repentance, and on that repentance comes the understanding of His grace found in His Son. That humble, repentant heart is a heart that has found faith and Salvation in Jesus Christ alone. That humble, repentant heart now seeks to live a better life; to seek to fulfill the requirements of the Law as a disciple of His; not to gain the access already given, but to live their life as an example of one saved by grace and not of works. The transformed heart seeks to model a life consecrated to the One who gave them life, not stand in the pride of ones own accomplishments. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
Reflect on your own “religious system”. What do you truly believe? You are defined at the core by what you believe. It affects your decisions, your actions, your daily life. Do you go through the repetitions of ritualistic worship; monotony exemplified in your faith? Do you feel those rituals, and or requirements gain you access to God? More directly, do you feel in them you gain Salvation? That is a works based faith; it does not save, it condemns. You will pay eternally for your mistake. Galatians 3:11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Access to God is only gained by the humble heart that sees its need for Christ. Access to God is found in the faith of the grace of God. Access to God is never found in self; it is found in only in Christ.
oneminuteministry 