Await by Faith the Righteousness through the Spirit

January 26, 2013 - Galatians 5:4-6

5:4		你 們 這 要 靠 律 法 稱 義 的 、 是 與 基 督 隔 絕 、 從 恩 典 中 墜 落 了 。
5:5		我 們 靠 著 聖 靈 、 憑 著 信 心 、 等 候 所 盼 望 的 義 。
5:6		原 來 在 基 督 耶 穌 裡 、 受 割 禮 不 受 割 禮 、 全 無 功 效 ． 惟 獨 使 人 生 發 仁 愛 的 信 心 、 纔 有 功 效 。

⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Paul distinguishes faith and the law in our relationship with God. Faith brings us to Christ and to receive God’s grace by justifying us to be righteous before God and also preparing us to have the “complete righteousness” of God that we await for. That I think is the complete sanctification of saints that our mind, motive, thought, words, and deeds are all righteous before God when the time comes. This faith is the work of the Holy Spirit that shall also be expressed through love – loving God and loving people.

Dear Spirit, thanks for your work in my life that produces my faith in Christ. I have never thought of becoming a Christian but through Your work, I begin my spiritual journey of knowing Christ by faith. I know that I am righteous before God because of Christ’s work, but I pray that the Spirit continues to sanctify me that I am becoming the righteous person to await the righteousness that my God will justify me when Christ returns.