Galatians 3:1-5

Galatians 3:1-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

3 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! 2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? 4 Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing. 5 Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

It's important I think to remember that when in the New Testament we see the word "believe" or "believing," whether from Paul or Jesus, what they mean is "trust."

Living as we do in a Post-Elightenment Western society, it is hard for us to divorce the word "belief" from some kind of intellectual exercise.  At least, I admit it is hard for me.  My brain seems to be the part of me I rely on more than any other part.

And maybe it is hard for us to divorce the word "trust" from that as well. 

But for me, trust is something purely instinctual. It is a letting go of relying on your own intellect in a way.  

It is following.  Walking the path. Being part of a way that might not make sense logically, but when trusting, your spirit leads you toward it regardless.

Paul's hearers would have understood that.

It was hard for the Galatians to let go of the works of the law - cicumcision in this case - because years of practice had embedded the importance of it in them.

We hold on to things as just as important today for believing in God - intellectually.  These days we are confronted with a huge upheaval in the Church.  "Laws" we have taken as critical for belief are being challenged. 

Through it all, God says "don't trust the works of the law. Trust me."

What must we let go of to trust where God is leading us?

Lord of life, show us the way.  Amen.