I just spent some time reading the Bible in the book of Galatians. I really enjoy reading this book because Paul (the author) has to respond to some pretty big issues that have been brought up.

There was a group of people (called the Judaizers) who said that all Christians must follow the law of the Old Testament to be made right with God. Paul reacts to that idea and the actions of Peter in these verses:

“And yet we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might by accepted by God because of our faith in Christ-and not because we have obeyed the law.

For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law. (Gal. 2.16 – NLT)”

This is such an awesome section of the letter.  Among other things, it highlights the fact that salvation comes through faith in Jesus (not by being “good enough”).

Sometimes we hear certain words all the time and we begin to forget what they really mean… this can happen with the meaning of a word like “faith”.

I just read a commentary and the author described faith like this:

Faith is trust.  It begins with knowledge, so it is not blind.  It builds on facts, so it is not speculation.  It stakes its life on the outcome, so it is not impractical.  Faith is trusting Christ and proving his promises (Barker, K.L.).

As we continue to grow in our understanding of God and try to live more and more like Jesus, our faith should be showing others the greatness of God.