15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life 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 nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
St Paul points to the example of Abraham. Abraham believed and it was counted to him as righteousness. Abraham trusted in God to take care of him even though he was sent far away from home. Abraham trusted God even though he had no land in Canaan that his offspring would one day own all that land. Abraham trusted that God was going to make him into a mighty nation, even though Sarah could not conceive. Abraham trusted God even when he told him to sacrifice his own Son.
If this is the example of the Faith which provides salvation, do you have this kind of faith? I do not say this to bring doubt into your life but encouragement. Not once in all the things mentioned above was there any statement concerning Jesus himself. Abraham believed in the promise of Salvation for all people, but did he believe in Jesus Christ? Do not doubt your faith! Listen to the Holy Spirit! It is not by the works of our own hands that we are saved. It is by faith that we are made righteous and holy.
Abraham was not a strong or brave or mighty man. Abraham was a blessed man. He was chosen by God. God chose Abraham to become a blessing to all the nations. God gave Abraham the strength to boldly talk and laugh at God. St Paul on the other hand was also blessed. St Paul was chosen by God to proclaim Jesus Christ and call other people to faith.
So each of you have been chosen. You have been called by God. You have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. You have been granted the gift of Faith and everlasting life. You are blessed, not by Abraham, not by the law, but by the only begotten Son of God.
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