Faith Plus Nothing = Salvation

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There’s nothing cuter than a baby, especially a baby you’re related to. But there’s nothing cute about an adult acting like a baby—that’s embarrassing (especially if you’re related to them). When we live under the Law, our spiritual growth keeps us spiritual babies, but freedom in Christ grows us up.

If you believe in Jesus Christ, you have something the church, religion, and the Law can’t give you. You have the authority to be called a son of God.

When translating the Greek New Testament, Bible editors didn’t translate the word Abba. It’s too personal; it means “my daddy.” We don’t talk that way about God—He is high and holy. But the Spirit of God calls Him that. He will whisper to you how close and tender the Father is to you, especially in hard times.

When you are God’s child, the Spirit also dives into the depths of God and brings out things no one’s ever seen or heard. (See 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.) He teaches and interprets God’s Word for us.

When you are God’s own, His Spirit confirms to your spirit that you belong to Him. (See Romans 8:11-16.) One proof you are His child is your desire to live right. The flesh may get victory now and then, but it never makes you happy. When you realize you’ve drifted from God, you turn around and cry out, “Abba, Father—‘my Daddy!’”

Some say you’ve got to really be holy to experience that kind of intimacy with God. But that’s not true. When you are a child of God—no matter if you’re new or weak in your faith—you belong to God. You can call on Him, and He will answer. The Law could never give you access to God. But now you have it.

So, knowing all this, why would the Galatians want to turn back to their old ways? Instead of worshipping idols, now they were worshipping the Law. They were still Christians—saved by grace—but they weren’t living like it.

“Did I waste my time teaching you?” Paul asks.

The problem, of course, was the false teachers whispering error into their ears. These teachers were making a profit off them and didn’t want it to end. They had to turn them against Paul, even when he told them the truth.

Paul understood where the criticism was coming from. He comforted the Galatians with, “we are all believers, all in the body of Christ. Let’s be kind to each other.” It was like he took a deep breath and said, “My little children …,” using the most tender terms. He wanted the best for them. He was just confused by their recent decision to put themselves under someone else’s control. They were free in Christ.

To say you need to add anything to what Jesus did for you is to say His death on the cross was in vain. God has no arrangement for you to be saved by faith and by Law; you must choose one. If you want to go by Law, you can try it—but God has already said you won’t make it. You can’t have a backup salvation plan, “Well, I go to church” or “I say my prayers.” If you trust these things to get you to heaven, you are not saved—they cannot save you. It is only when you look to our wonderful Savior and trust Him wholly and totally.

On what basis do you know you are going to heaven? If you trust Him, cast yourself on Him, He will save you. You don’t have to do anything—only trust Him completely. Jesus Christ has done everything for your salvation. That’s the way—the only way—He can save you. It is faith plus nothing.

1. It can be easy to feel like we’ve already seen everything there is to see in the Bible. How could remembering that the Holy Spirit is our teacher prevent that attitude?

2. Paul described his affection for the Galatians as if he were their mother. What does this tell us about the kind of love Christians should have for one another?

3. We can’t try to please God by faith and by the Law. Why is that so hard to remember in our thinking and actions?

Additional Resources

Listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee's complete audio teachings of Galatians 4:1-7, Galatians 4:6-24 and Galatians 4:9-31.