Take Note

School hallways that have been quiet during summer break are now once again a buzz of squeaky shoes, laughter, and loud excited children. As the children have made their way into their new classroom, I'm sure that their new teacher has said; "Children, it's time to get out some paper and 'Take note.'" You remember that moment, for you, it might have been a teacher in High school or a college professor; either way, you knew that when those words were spoken, you better "Take note."

In Galatians 5:2, the verse begins with the empathic words from the apostle Paul, "Take note!…" Paul wants the Galatians to take careful note. If they allow themselves to be circumcised (the verb tense used here implies that they had not yet taken this step but were considering it), then Jesus Christ will profit them absolutely nothing. Now that Paul had their attention, he continued his plea to prove that the Grace of Christ is more than sufficient. As noted in verse 2, he states, "Christ will not benefit you at all." In verse 3, he says, "if choosing to be circumcised, you are obligated to keep the entire law." Finally, verse 4 states, "You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ." Well, guess what; it seems that the words "Take note" was more than justified. The Galatians and us today need to "Take note." Friends, To live by Grace means to depend on God's abundant supply of every need. To live by Law means relying on my strength—the flesh—and being left to get by without God's supply. Paul warns the Galatians that to submit to the Law would rob them of all the benefits they have in Christ.

The Grace of Christ is more than sufficient. You have read the "red words" of the Gospel. Within those words, we know that we, God's creation, were on the mind of His Son. The King of the World wanted to mend our broken hearts and supply Grace. He paid the price, took the Cross, And did it all with you and me on His mind. God's Grace is sufficient for every need and demand of life. Friends, we are saved by Grace (Eph. 2:8–10). God's Grace enables us to endure suffering (2 Cor. 12:9) and strengthens us (2 Tim. 2:1). God is the God of all Grace (1 Peter 5:10). We can come to the throne of Grace and find Grace to help in every need (Heb. 4:16). As we read the Bible, which is "the Word of His grace" (Acts 20:32), the Spirit of Grace (Heb. 10:29) reveals to us how rich we are in Christ. "And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace" (John 1:16). Christ died to set us free, not to enslave us. To go back to Law is to become caught up in a whirlwind of "do's and don'ts" and to abandon spiritual adulthood for a "second childhood." If it is a "second childhood" that we seek, I guess we need to take note and be told that we will not fit in the crib. Our spiritual adulthood is so much more than our desired second childhood.