paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: [galatians 1:1-2]
our salvation was not made and was not birthed by human works! what a relief!
romans 8:28-39 really brings this truth to life. and the implications are so far reaching. salvation belongs to our God. growth in Christ belongs to our God. boldness in ministry belongs to our God!
and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. for those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. and those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. [rom 8:28-30]
the unbreakable chain of God’s saving grace. all glory be to Christ that we are not responsible for our own salvation! if it were up to us, we would never come to him. and if we are his, nothing and no one can take that away or keep us from reaching eternal joy in his presence!
all through the rest of the chapter are beautiful truths of persevering in the faith because nothing can touch the sovereign work of Jesus Christ.
vs 31 says God is on our side, so no one can stand against us.
vs 32 says God gave his own Son for us, so in Jesus, he also loves to give us all things!
vs 33 says no one can condemn us because we are already justified by Jesus’ blood.
vs 34 says Jesus is interceding for us at God’s right hand.
vs 35 says no difficulty in life can separate us from Jesus’ love.
vs 36 says not even death is a defeat to Jesus’ work in and through us.
vs 37 says in any difficulty we are conquerors through Jesus and his love.
and then paul wraps up the chapter with our very own victory song!
for I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. [rom 8:38-39]
so when paul starts his letter to the churches of galatia, he writes with no authority given to him in the flesh. he writes with no power in himself. he writes with no pressure to change hearts with his own abilities. he writes with full confidence that Jesus Christ is working, and knowing that no opposition that he faces will thwart God’s plan in the slightest.
so what would it look like for us to live in this way? all bets off, no holding back, our full trust in the powerful work of Christ through his Spirit, all for his glory, full of his love and joy!
Father, grow my confidence in your love. may your perfect love cast out all my fear and drive me to pursue you and live for you in such a way that reflects my undeserved status as a completely justified, deemed righteous, untouchable daughter of the King. amen.
~arwen eastman