Christians are being perfected by Faith and not by Works. Paul, in Chapter 3, will tell us what the law does not do in vv.1-18 and then in v.19 begins to lay out the function of the law. Today, let’s see how we are Made Perfect By Faith. I. Works or Faith? v.1-2. Paul first reiterates that salvation is by grace alone and not by the works of the law. Spurgeon said that Christians love this in theory, but are heretics in our practice! Paul begins in verse one by calling the Galatians foolish! (Spiritually dull) He then asks, who has bewitched you? In asking “who has bewitched you” he accomplishes two things. First, it is the simple acknowledgement that he was aware they had been deceived. Further, to use the term “bewitched” brings into this argument “witchcraft” or…the work of Satan within this church. Paul is really stepping up his level of concern with the use of that term. It is more than a simple deception. This, he writes, is the work of Satan through the Judaizers, in the midst of their church. We must become aware of this in our own situation. Legalism is Satanic. Self-righteousness is Satanic. Be careful that you too are not bewitched! This satanic influence through poor doctrine in their church was causing them not to obey the truth of Jesus Christ which had been evidently set forth before their eyes. Paul had publicly portrayed Christ to them.Like it had been printed on a poster in bold type and placed into a public space for all to see. With great plainness, not in a mystical way, more like when a king makes a proclamation. This is how Paul presented the truth to them. They heard of Christ’s death on the cross for sinners. They heard of His resurrection. They believed it and were born into the family of God. Still, as Satan does, they were introduced to less simple doctrines. False doctrines, but those that appeal to the human nature rather than the regenerated part of us. Those of works and self-righteousness and feelings of accomplishment by deciphering some supposed “deeper truths”. Paul’s response to this was a question: v.2—Tell me then, did you receive the Spirit by works or by faith? If you are regenerate, you know the answer to that question. The works of the law only suffice to condemn us further. It is by faith alone on our part that Christ’s righteousness is applied to our account. Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God:” Paul’s first question, easily answered, is, “works or faith?” Next, he poses an additional question… II. Faith, then Works? 3-6. Paul, again, has no patience with such a question! (3) Are you so foolish?!? (spiritually dull) Do you think you began in the Spirit but now are being made perfect (holy, righteous) by the works of the flesh? Notice what he says further on this point in 4:9. Paul then asks them (v.4) to reconsider their time of coming to faith. You suffered, he says, you struggled, you endured…Not particularly the outer suffering (though for them this may be), but the inner…the struggle with our own self. The struggle with our spiritually dead spirit. Paul asks, “Was all of that in vain?” In v.5 Paul presents God the Father’s side in this. He gave you the Holy Spirit and worked miracles among you. Are these gifts results of keeping the law or through faith? Verse 6 brings into this account, Abraham, as the model for Christian faith. He believed God, having never received the promise, and God credited it to him for righteousness. It is not recorded of Abraham that he was such a keeper of the law that he found favor with God. Rather, simply, that he believed. He was a man of faith. Even as far back as Abraham, salvation was by faith and not works. Through faith, righteousness was imputed to him. We learn a most important doctrine here: God counts them righteous who believe in Jesus. The doctrine of “imputation” declares us free from sin. It justifies us! Makes us before God as though we had never even sinned! Further, on our account…imputation….makes it as though we had kept all of the law, all along! Thus, Paul’s point and argument to the Galatians is — FAITH ALONE! This is not a question of Faith or Works. This is not a system of Faith and then Works. III. Faith, 7-9. v.7 - By faith we are the children of Abraham. (Remember, the deceivers would declare only those keeping the law were the children of Abraham.) Paul refutes this. The sons of Abraham are not those who are born Jews, or those who become Jewish converts, but those who are saved by faith. Romans 4:9-11, “Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.” v.8 - This is what the scripture has taught all along! (The covenant God made with Abraham was a covenant of grace like we now have through Christ) The same way God justified Abraham, all the nations could now be justified. In this context, Abraham’s children are not his physical descendants but his spiritual descendants. His children are those who believe God and are justified by faith and not the law. This inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation was revealed in God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12:3) and is quoted here. v.9 - As Abraham believed, so we believe. Through faith we are all counted righteous. Warren Wiersbe said, “When you read God’s great covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:1–3, you discover that many different blessings were promised—some personal, some national and political, and some universal and spiritual. Certainly God did make Abraham’s name great; he is revered not only by Jews, but also by Christians, Muslims, and many others. God did multiply his descendants, and God did bless those who blessed Abraham. He also judged those who cursed his descendants (Egypt, Babylon, and Rome are cases in point). But the greatest blessings that God sent through Abraham and the Jewish nation have to do with our eternal salvation. Jesus Christ is that promised “Seed,” through whom all the nations have been blessed (Gal. 3:16).” In contrast to legalism stands grace. We are not made perfect by the flesh, we are made perfect by faith.