Inspired by Spirit #2: limiting beliefs

Carrying on the theme from Galatians 3:1-9, which we studied in the last blog post, Paul continues to challenge the Galatians about their limiting beliefs. Many of the Jewish believers in Galatia have reverted to living this new revolutionary faith within the constraints of the religious tradition in which they were raised. They’ve gone back to relying on the works of the law – doing the right thing – to earn favour with God. And it really doesn’t work that way. Jesus did away with all of that.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.  Galatians 3:13-14

Jesus promised the Spirit to all – and that includes each one of us – who believed in him and what he came to earth to demonstrate and achieve. It’s as simple as that. Nothing is asked of us beyond belief – the rest will follow organically.

So why was the law given at all? Well, God set out the law to keep His people on the straight and narrow until the coming of Jesus, which was going to change everything. At that point, the law was fulfilled in human form.

So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.  Galatians 3:24

We are all ‘children of God’ through faith. All equal before God. The Spirit is ready to inspire and guide and comfort and strengthen all those who are ready to receive it.

We may not be Jewish Christians in Galatia, but we are often however also held back by limiting beliefs.

If Jesus is the Way, then it stands to reason that the way we came to Jesus was the only way to come to Jesus.

The tradition we were brought up in is the best way.

The ‘truths’ that became embedded in our hearts are the whole truth (even when we have niggling doubts that this may not be the case).

Even if we become aware that maybe there is a different way of looking at things, a different way of approaching God, we still find ourselves reverting to these limiting beliefs without even realising it.

What if God is much more amazing than we could ever imagine? What if the Spirit could do so much more in our lives if we allowed ourselves to start thinking and living outside of the box?

We called this series ‘Join Our Journey’ because we firmly believe that a life of faith is a journey. We are being changed – that’s the whole point of it. And so what we think and believe about God will change too. Let’s be clear – God does not change. He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. But as we come to know God more, then we will change. We do not need to cling on to the limiting beliefs that we grew up with, that we started out with. I’m sure if I looked back to the start of ‘Join Our Journey’, I would soon see how far I have come in how I write and express myself, yes, but also in my faith journey.

I’ll leave you with this quote attributed to Thomas Merton. Whoever first said it, it is definitely worth pondering.

If the you of five years ago doesn’t consider the you of today a heretic, you are not growing spiritually.