Galatians 3:5-9

5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

God both supplies the Spirit to us and works miracles among us.  Neither of those things happen because we do enough good works or avoid enough bad ones to earn them.  They happen through faith. Just as we receive the Spirit by faith, so also do we receive miracles by faith.  Abraham had a relationship with God simply because he believed. It still works the same way today.

Religion is confusing because it lays out demanding processes by which we must relate to God.  The problem is that the processes never result in a sense of accomplishment for anyone. It is just endless striving and the relationship we seek and that religion promises is never delivered.  This is why Paul hearkens back to Abraham’s relationship to God. He wants us to understand that Abraham’s method of relating to God is the same that we are called to follow. Forget the religious process – just believe!

We receive everything in God’s Kingdom by faith.  We don’t earn a single thing. Salvation, righteousness, the Holy Spirit, miracles – all made freely available to the one who believes.  The one who strives? Well, generally the reward for that is more striving and frustration.  

Abraham did not relate to God through effort.  The law wasn’t given yet, so God had not even suggested that anything other than simple faith was required.  In relating to Abraham this way, God demonstrated that he wanted to bless all the nations in the world. They are blessed by believing the same way that Abraham did.  No rules, no hurdles – just faith.

The difference between those who strive to earn God’s favor and those who simply receive by faith is stark.  Through striving, we receive nothing. Through faith, we are made sons and daughters. Sonship is the essence of being God’s child and understanding that a loving father has a soft spot for his kids and will bless them hand over fist at every opportunity.  Sonship can never be earned. You didn’t earn your parents. Neither can you earn your position in God’s family. You simply receive by faith.

One final thought: The grace that saves is the same grace that opens the door to miracles. If you are stepping out in faith to receive something greater than a circumstance has presented to you, whether it be a need for healing, provision, freedom from addiction, whatever it is, remember that God does work miracles among us. You might be challenged by your own fears and contrary opinions of others both inside and outside the Church. When such challenges arise, standing firmly on the grace message demands utmost bravery. Don’t stop! Brave grace, believe, and live boldly as sons and daughters of a miracle-working God.

Day 15