Being Made Perfect By The Spirit

Gal.3:1] O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

[2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

[3] Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

The Apostle Paul begins the third chapter of the book of Galatians asking the Galatian Saints four specific questions. But all concerning the same problematic ailment, they were “foolish” because they were actually trying to “obey the truth,” they were trying to make themselves “perfect.” This is also a common ‘sanctification ailment’ today, oftentimes many would rather obey the tradition of men, rather than the Word of God by which they became saved. And the word “bewitched” is used based upon the deceiving nature of the men of this world making it their ‘craft’ to pass off the darkness of this world, for the light of the knowledge of His Word. This is what Paul is referring to in Galatians chapter 5 when he mentions “witchcraft,” men that have ‘a craft’ in ‘bewitching’ the ‘simple.’ And Paul knew they had fallen victim to their words, and that they ought to have ‘stayed the course’ of their sanctified lives. They had “begun in the Spirit” the moment they heard the word and believed, they trusted that. And now Paul says how could they now turn to another way, when they believed that truth that justified them.

Gal.4:9] But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

[10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

[11] I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Moreover, the Apostle Paul was “afraid” that they would continue to “obey” the tradition of men, and not obey the truth. And what Paul taught the Galatians was that being a ‘fool’ in the sight of God comes from the Saint refusing to further be educated by God. And as we see in Proverbs 1:7, a fool in the sight of God is a son who would “despise wisdom and instruction” of his Father. But notice the word “despise” is used when referring to the son who would rather turn to the wisdom and instruction of another. It would be evident that if a son did not choose his father’s education, he eventually loved another wisdom and instruction, and actually despised his father’s wisdom and instruction. Our Father knows that man will ‘love one, and hate another’ when it comes to who he gives his heart unto.

Prov.1:7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Luke 16:13] No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore, we are provided by our Father the ‘perfecting doctrine’ to be the “perfect man” that He has called us to be. We are taught as Saints to be the “elect of God,” by His Spirit (the Living Word of God). And within the heart of Saint is where the ‘heart writing’ begins, because this is where the service of the Saint is either going to either be given unto the Father and the “Cup,” and “Table of the Lord,” or unto Satan, and the “cup,” and “table of devils.” And it is by “the Spirit of the Living God” that the heart writing is done within the believer. But as Galatians chapter 3 says, he must continue to “obey the truth,” and not try to go after another’s form of edifying for godly  “perfection.” But today, far too often the believer would rather ‘trust in’ what their “flesh” desires as being godly. Today’s Church unfortunately has the ‘Galatian ailment’ as how they have worship and service.

Col.3:12] Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

2Cor.3:2] Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

[3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Furthermore, as the Galatians Saints, many in  Christ desire to ‘walk by sight,’ instead of walking by faith. Many have abandoned living their sanctified lives by His word alone, and would rather walk by sight, and what their flesh feels is of God. They desire what God can do for their flesh (health, wealth, and relationship), this type of teaching is prevalent today. This teaching says that the Saint IS “made perfect by the flesh,” and that “gain is godliness,” and that the ‘blessed’ of God shows forth ‘true godliness’ by what they physically have. But again, this is the ‘lifestyle’ that Paul reproved the Galatian Saints about, they desired to be godly, they desired to live unto God. But the issue was that they were actually leaving the Word of God to be a perfect man, they desired to follow their flesh, and whatever doctrine would ‘cater unto’ the pleasing of the flesh. And the doctrine that says that God ‘physically heals’ the flesh, provides wealth for the Saint, or that He changes our physical circumstances, these are all things that the Corinthian and Galatians Saints believed.  But they were “babes” in understanding, and “foolish” in the sight of God. The only way the Saint will be the “perfect of God,” is by the Living Word of God alone, this is how he ‘begun,’ and this is how God has designed His Word to work effectually within them to put true godliness on display.

1stTim.6:4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.

[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Rod Jones