Galatians 5.5-6
“For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”
Now Paul changes from “you” to “we.” He began by addressing his readers and warning them to choose grace, not law. Now he speaks to believers who have chosen grace, and thus includes himself. The emphasis is on faith, and he focuses on two aspects.
First, we wait by faith “for the hope of righteousness.” This is a reference to the new world to come, to our spending eternity with Christ on a renewed world, to the time when Jesus returns and brings the fullness of his kingdom to planet earth. Second, because we are saved by faith, we have a strong work ethic that is motivated and energized by love.
Please note the difference between the work motivation of the legalist versus the work motivation of the Christian. The legalist works to be saved; the Christian works because he is saved. The legalist does work in the hopes of earning a relationship with God; the Christian does work as a result of his relationship with God. The work motivation of the legalist is pride if he thinks he is doing enough, or it is fear if he doesn’t think he is doing enough.
The work motivation of the Christian is love. We know we are reconciled to God through faith, and are thus liberated to do work on behalf of the kingdom. We wait by faith for the coming consummation of the kingdom, and while we are waiting we are not to be passive.
Because we know that Jesus will return and bring the fullness of his kingdom, we live and work now in a way that displays the reality of the kingdom that is both present now and coming in the future. Our faith in Christ motivates us to be proactive in how we engage with and do work in the present world. Our faith motivates us to fulfill the mission the Lord has given us right here and right now as we await his return.
Note also that Paul says “through the Spirit.” Those that trust in Christ through faith are indwelt by the Spirit and have access to the power of the Spirit. Keep in mind that in scripture, “hope” is not wishing, it is assurance and certitude. The person seeking to be saved by the law has no such hope … no certitude. They must constantly be in a state of anxiety and worry: “Have I been obedient enough? Is there some standard I have failed to meet? Is there a part of the law I have neglected? Have I done enough to be saved? Is there something more I need to do?”
For the Christian who trusts in Jesus, those questions have all been answered. Paul lays it out in Romans:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5)
Again, remember that “hope” in the NT is assurance and certitude. Paul tells us that it is the Holy Spirit who fills our heart with hope and certitude even in the midst of the difficulties, challenges, and pain of a fallen world. The legalist has no such assurance, no such peace, no such experience of God’s love through the presence of his indwelling Spirit. The legalist is worried about being saved; the Christian is focused on loving God, serving others, and doing work.
I close today with this benediction: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)
