Galatians 3: 1-3 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?
Foolishness is a form of insanity. Foolishness is continuing to do things that have not worked in the past, are not working in the present, and will not work in the future. Foolishness, like insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The Galatians in the past tried to earn salvation by obedience to rules and laws. It didn't work. Living legalistically only made them guilty and unhappy. Feeling guilty and unhappy, they sinned more and not less.
In other words, they were just like us. Legalism didn't work then, doesn't work now, won't work tomorrow, and never will work. Nonetheless people keep returning to it. Worse still, people keep imposing failed legalism on others. Legalism, like misery, loves company. As one radio personality is fond of saying, "I'm not happy till you're not happy." That’s legalism: everyone is unhappy. So, where is legalism making you guilty and unhappy? Leave the law behind and live a life of grace, compassion, mercy and forgiveness. Where are you being foolish? Stop doing over and over again what has not worked in the past. Ask God to show you new ways. God gladly gives wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5). Ask today.
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