In the next two chapters Paul is going to provide 6 distinct arguments, 3 in this chapter and 3 in the next, in order to prove that salvation is by grace through faith apart from the works of the law. In this study we'll cover the first argument which is one of a personal nature. It's amazing just how much wisdom is in these verses, but it should be no surprise as Paul is being moved by the Spirit in His writings (2 Pet. 1:20-21). In these first 5 verses Paul, through a series of questions, appeals to the Galatians to remember what their own eyes have seen, what they themselves have experienced, and were of such strong conviction they even suffered persecution for it.

Paul not only dedicates an entire letter to combating this issue of legalism that had infiltrated the churches, but offers argument from what seems like every angle. We therefore should neither take this flippantly, nor should we foolishly think it can't happen to us (1 Cor. 10:12). As we stated before, if Peter, the rock (Mat. 16:18), Barnabas, and the multiple Galatian churches who witnessed miracles can fall into this rut, we'd be foolish to think we can't (or haven't already). We'd also be foolish to think it's no big deal. Because of the magnitude of it (Gal. 5:4), Paul holds nothing back.

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? - Galatians 3:1

"You foolish Galatians" In the first chapter of Galatians Paul called out the false brethren even stating of those who would preach such a contrary gospel should be accursed (Gal. 1:9), in this last chapter he opposes Peter to his face (Gal. 2:11). Now in this chapter he forcefully turns back to his readers in calling out the recipients for their foolishness. It's not as though Paul didn't love the Galatians, and Peter for that matter, it's that his love for them was so great how could he not address such a devastating error they were making. If you were standing at the bottom of a hill at an intersection and saw your beloved child riding his bike very fast down it and you saw a car coming that would cross his path, would you keep silent, or would you do everything you can to warn the child of the oncoming danger? Those that don't understand why Paul was up in arms here likely wrestle with being ensnared in legalism themselves and have not realized the magnitude of the situation at hand (Gal. 5:4) which warranted the entirety of this letter, combating this grave error the Galatians were making.

"Who has bewitched you". Paul is using verbiage that would point out the significant contrast between what he knew about them when he was there, that is, that they believed in the simplicity of the gospel and held to the truth of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, with them now having believed the lies of the judaizers that works are required. Paul is asking if they are under some evil spell, like a parent might ask their child if they've gone insane as an attempt to reconcile what he knew about them with what they were doing now. It's not as though he believes magic is at work, but rather that this is such foolishness that it's as if someone must be manipulating their beliefs against their will.

"Before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?" This carries the same notion of asking who had bewitched them. Paul is asking if it was still their before their own eyes that the crucifixion was clearly laid out that they believed. It's not that they necessarily saw Jesus crucified for themselves, but that the gospel had been clearly presented to them in a way they understood and was attested to by miracles they witnessed (Gal. 3:5). This sense would be more like "before whose eyes and in whose very midst Jesus Christ was set forth crucified." They had been so informed that they knew not only what had happened surrounding the crucifixion but why it was necessary as Paul reiterated in the last chapter. Because by the works of the law no flesh would be justified, that righteousness cannot come through the law, and the fact that Christ died, testifies to that (Gal. 2:21). Now he's asking them who had put them under a spell as to get them to contradict their own understanding and experience related to those things.

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? - Galatians 3:2

"This is the only thing I want to find out from you". This is a call for them to set aside their current deluded, confused mindsets, and focus on this one inquiry. To put everything else out of their mind for a moment and focus on how the Spirit of God came to them in the first place and then Paul gives them a multiple choice. Their minds had been "leavened" by these Judaizer's false teachings and clouded by legalism, so Paul is going back to basics (Acts 10:44).

"Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" This is still a great question for us today. Chuck Smith rephrases it "did you receive the gift of God or did you earn the blessing of God?" Did we receive the Spirit because we deserve it, because we earned it, because we kept the law and God rewarded us with Him? Or did we receive just believing the promise of God's gift? (Luke 11:13). When we consider how Christ came to us and how are life in Him began, was it because we merited it? Was God compelled to reach out to us because we were working for it? Did you go seeking after God or did He come seeking after you (Rom. 3:11)? Did your new life begin by working your heads off to please God or by responding to God's Message He brought to you? Nobody has ever earned or warranted the Spirit of God indwelling them (Rom. 3:23) and if you examine your own initial experience with God and your works at that time, you'd know it (Rom. 3:9-18).

One more thing to note. Paul is clearly writing to Christians who have received the Holy Spirit, otherwise this question could not be asked. A distinction should be made between those who struggle with legalism and those who embrace it. Between those who fall into the rut of legalism, and those who choose to walk in the rut and compel others to also. The Galatians Paul is writing to are those who have been duped, but those who have duped them are those who have embraced it. Those struggling with legalism are those whom Paul is writing to, those who embrace it are those whom Paul is writing about. Those who struggle have fallen into the trap, sometimes dragging others down with them as was the case with Peter, those who embrace it are those who are setting the traps and seek to bring Christians into bondage once again (Gal. 2:4).

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? - Galatians 3:3

"Are you so foolish?" Having just challenged them to realize that their righteousness with God came through faith, Paul is now asking if they are going to be so foolish as to abandoned that faith and accomplish through their own efforts what God began in them by His doing through His Spirit. Paul is asking them if they are going to take back control of that which they were unable to even start. He's asking them if they're going improve upon God's work in their life. This foolishness is like a layman taking over brain surgery mid operation...no wait. That analogy still gives the impression that with the right education, training, we...in our own strength can eventually fill in the gap. Maybe it would be better to say it's like a monkey taking over brain surgery mid operation. No...even a monkey could hand you a scalpel thus giving the impression that maybe we could still contribute to God's work. Ok, third time... it's like a dead man, taking over operating on himself mid-surgery in order to bring himself back to life through fixing all that caused the death.

I wish I could laugh at such foolishness, but unfortunately it's very common place within the church (if it was so rampant then, we'd be foolish to think it doesn't now), and even in my own life as a recovering legalist, and therefore I feel it's important we camp here for a bit that the foolishness Paul is pointing out would become evident to us as well. To continue in such foolishness can be devastating (Gal. 5:4). Paul dedicated this entire epistle to bringing this to light for churches in Galatia, therefore it should not be glossed over so quickly, as God has preserved it for us now as well.

"Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" Notice this is a versus thing. It's Spirit vs the flesh, the flesh does not compliment the Spirit, it does not help it, it does not partner with it. Helping the Spirit along is like Abraham and Sarah deciding to have a child through Sarah's handmaiden in order to help God's promise of a child come to fruition (Gen. 16:1-4). Thereafter that child Ishmael which was born of the handmaid Hagar was considered to be a "child of the flesh". Isaac was the child born of promise, and it should be noted, later when God commanded Abraham to take Isaac up the mountain, it was said to Abraham by God "take now your son, your only son...Isaac" (Gen. 22:2) even though Ishmael had already been born to him. That which was accomplished by Abraham in the flesh was not recognized before God. That is still the case today. Works mean nothing to God. In Christ, neither working or not working mean anything, but only faith working through love (Gal. 5:6). In fact, without faith, it's impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).

There is an important distinction that needs to be made between the fruit of the Spirit, and works of the law. Fruit is not the same as works. Works are something done under compulsion through the strength of the flesh, fruit is something that happens organically as the tree abides in Good Soil (John 15:5). Works are manufactured, fruit is grown. Works are the focus, fruit is a byproduct. Works are exhausting, fruit is effortless. Christians by the Spirit, through faith, are those who are standing near enough to Christ that His light reflects off of them, thus requiring no effort on their part to shine. In this sense, Christians are like the moon, we are to be a light in a dark place, but we do so by reflecting the light of the Son (John 8:12), and therefore it does not glorify us, but it naturally glorifies Him (Mat. 5:16). Christians being perfected in the flesh through works are those whom turn on their own flashlights for all to see and what's worse is they ascribe it to God as if it's His light (Mat. 5:16). Thus they cause many who are investigating the claims of Christ to stumble and blaspheme God because of them (Rom. 2:24). While claiming to be followers of Christ they don't follow Him at all, and yet claim to be a guide to others (Mat. 15:14). Jesus said not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. He said many will come to Him on that day and will cite many impressive works, and He will declare to them "I never knew you" (Mat. 7:15-23).

Paul is making a comparison here between faith which is related to the Spirit, and works which is related to the flesh. These are two separate groups which do not intermingle (Luke 5:36-38), one cancels out the other (Gal. 5:4, Rom. 11:6). An increase in works can actually indicate a lack in faith (Rom. 14:2). Anytime you are speaking of the concept of works you are dealing with the flesh. Anytime you are speaking of the concept of the Spirit, you must be dealing with the concept of faith (Rom. 4:16). The Spirit through faith, produces fruit. The flesh, through the law, produces works, good and bad (Rom. 7:7-8). Anytime you get in the realm of works, you are in the realm of the flesh.

Someone then may argue that we need to be doing works for the Lord, but the fact is there is not one thing you can do, in the flesh, that will please God (Heb. 11:6, Rom. 7:18). The fact is, God has no regard for your works any more than He did for Cain's offering (Gen. 4:5), or Abraham's child of the flesh (Gen. 22:2). Why? Because these things were not from the realm of faith (Heb. 11:4). I'm glad God doesn't regard my works which are often bad, and at best are tainted (Isa. 64:6). God does not come to a factory looking for works, He comes to His garden to enjoy it's fruits. We need to recognize is faith does indeed produce fruit which often Christians conflate with works. So many Christians, like Martha, are actually distracted by their works, even their works in the ministry and because of this they miss what Jesus called the "good part" (Luke 10:42) which is what Martha's sister Mary was doing, who was seated at the feet of Jesus listening to all He had to say (Luke 10:39).

It's important to realize just how useless you are to accomplish righteousness in your own life, as with Martha, these things only distract us and cause us worry. Even if your faith is weak (Rom. 14:1), if you can see with your own eyes that the task ahead of you is impossible for you, and that you have nothing to contribute to it (Mat. 5:3), then perhaps though your faith be as small as a mustard seed, seeing the futility of works, you'll walk in that faith and be willing to sit at the feet of Jesus too, knowing there is no other way. Such a humble position requires trust, for the one that does not trust worries about getting up to get things done, but the one that trusts, abides at His feet, and relies on Him, His Spirit, to produce in you what only He can do (John 15:5). Martha felt so strongly about works she actually rebuked Jesus for not making Mary help her (Luke 10:40). Jesus lovingly corrected her, but firmly stated what Mary was doing would not be taken away from her (Luke 10:42).

Interestingly, later, this is the same Mary who days before Christ's crucifixion, had opened a very expensive bottle of perfume and anointed Jesus feet and were wiping them with her hair, and once again, in a similar spirit, rebuked because of the works she could have done by selling that bottle instead. Those who are of the flesh find issue with those who are of the Spirit. Those who hold to works seem to always be in contention with those who are of faith. Interestingly, though it was the disciple who rebuked Mary, yet it would seem that only Mary, who had been seated at the feet of Jesus listening to all He had to say, who realized and believe the Lord's crucifixion was near as indicated by this sorrowful anointing. The disciples on the other hand were so caught up with which of them were the greatest that this truth didn't hit them until after the fact (Mark. 9:30-35). Fruit is a natural result of relationship, it's a byproduct. Works are the focus, as with the disciples wondering who would be the greatest among them, yet Mary was bearing fruit that none of them were bearing. Jesus actually points out this comparison between Mary and Peter (Luke 7:44-46). Peter who wanted to be seen was being outdone by Mary who was just in love with her Lord. For her, the fruit was not the focus, it was a natural result of faith in our Lord manifested in love which is the true fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

Often those that bear fruit don't know it. Those who work absolutely do as was the case with those citing their works for entry into the kingdom (Mat. 7:22) and even the unjustified Pharisee in his prayer to God (Luke 18:11). But those who bear fruit aren't focused on that fruit, and therefore don't draw attention to it, they are focused on the Lord whom all growth of fruit comes from (1 Cor. 3:6-7). In the final judgment you will actually see the Lord's sheep ask the Lord who just declared all the good they did reply to Him when did we Lord? He then proceeds to list the many great ways they bore fruit and didn't even know it (Mat. 25:37-39). Those that focus on works boast in themselves, but those that bear fruit, boast in the Lord. As it is written "But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

It's been my experience that those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh (Gal. 6:12) highlight themselves. But those that desire to share Jesus Christ often throw themselves under the bus for the sake of those they are sharing with. I must admit, I have times when I teach that my heart is consumed with the joy of sharing Jesus with others that I'm fully transparent with my shortcomings that it might be of benefit to them. At other times though I get prideful and picture how good it's going to make me look. Like the disciples who debated who would be greatest among them I feel like I have times of throwing in my hat. Ugh how arrogant, I covertly boast about that which I received as if I did not receive it (1 Cor. 4:7). Thank God for His faithfulness! The battle with the flesh doesn't indicate the absence of the Spirit, until the flesh dies the two are both present and at war with each other (Gal. 5:17).

Fruit is not hard, works are. Fruit isn't working at growing, nor does it concentrate on ripening itself. It just happens as a result of that which they are tied into (1 Cor. 3:6-7). If they do nothing, it will still "come to fruition" as is the origin of that saying. As it was with Mary, so is it with all believers who cling to Jesus. He says of all of them that they will "bear much fruit". He does not say they will as long as they don't sin, He does not say they will as long as they work at it, He simply says they absolutely will because they are connected to Him (John 15:4-5), and it needs no intervention from us. So many of us want to know God's plan so they can walk it in the flesh, but one of faith, like Mary, isn't afraid to be still in the Lord (Psa. 46:10), trusting that He has a plan and knows How to carry it out in their life should He wish to. Those requiring foresight to step forward are not doing so by faith, they are doing so by sight. Yet Paul writes we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Not seeing what's coming no longer matters when you know He's in it (John 3:8). So many people are waiting for the river to stop flowing before they will put their feet in it, and because the water did not stop they conclude it's not God's will (Josh. 3:13-17). These same people would look at the waves raging and conclude it's not God's will for Peter to get out of the boat, yet they would be sorely mistaken (Mat. 14:28-29).

The number one reason I see people leave "Christianity" is because they say it's too hard. Yet Jesus stated His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mat. 11:28-30). Therefore I would argue they are not leaving true Christianity but rather religious legalism disguising itself as Christianity. People hardly have the strength to stick to a diet, yet if one is relying on that strength to accomplish more weighty spiritual matters, it's no wonder those who view it through such lens feel it's impossible. The gospel is profoundly simple, yet people stumble over it's simplicity (1 Cor. 1:23). A person who is raised in legalism is like a person who is born with a shovel in their hands and they are taught that all things in life come by digging (i.e. works). The problem is they have dug themselves such a deep hole they can't get out of it. They usually have no problem recognizing they are in a predicament, but because all they've ever known is digging, while they know they need out, they assume it must be accomplished through digging so they dig more. They dig to the left, to the right, and all the while the problem is getting deeper, exhausted and desperate they even try and foolishly dig upward as if that were possible. Then when someone else who themselves have found freedom offers help from above, they, seeing the world only through the lens of digging, ask the person who is free where and how they should be digging to be free like them, not being able to grasp the reality that this problem won't be solved by digging at all. In fact, nothing they can do is going to get them out of there. Yet when the rescue basket is lowered down to them they are frustrated with it. Digging was hard enough before but now they keep stumbling over this obnoxious basket that keeps getting in the way of areas they want to dig.

Question: So what part do works play in the believers life? After all, James wrote that faith without works is dead (Jam. 2:26). Answer: This is a verse that those struggling with legalism stumble over, and those who embrace legalism misquote often. This verse is an evidentiary statement, not a command. It is not as though He's preaching contrary to the gospel (Rom. 4:5) but rather James is pointing out that true faith will bear fruit, which is why the lack thereof he labels as "dead". Just like the moon cannot help but reflect the sun as it abides in it's light, neither can the Christian help but bear fruit as they abide in Christ (John 15:5), which happens only by faith. The branch does not bear fruit of itself (John 15:4), therefore when I see fruit on the branch I can conclude that it's connected to the vine. In the same way, when a Christian bears fruit, I can conclude of that person they must be connected to Christ, which only happens by faith. Therefore, true faith will always be accompanied by good fruit. The argument for works that James gives are specifically those that are a part of fruit, in this case love (Gal. 5:22-23), as attested by his example (Jam. 2:15). James is arguing that if there is no evidence in the believers life, then he may not actually believe. Such a person may know the facts, they may believe that God is, much like the demons do (Jam. 2:19), or even the scribes Jesus addressed (John 5:39-40), but there is a significant difference between believing that, and believing in. This verse causes legalists to panic and grab their fleshlights (that was a typo for flashlight, but I'm leaving it).

Abiding in Christ is a position of faith. Those that are abiding absolutely will bear fruit (John 15:5) and you'll know them by it, it will stand out (John 13:35). This is seemingly more and more rare, especially among the prosperous. The rich, the powerful, the self sufficient are very distracted with works based living. Those that have not more easily have to rely on faith which I believe is why Christ said it's harder for a rich man to get into heaven (Luke 18:25). It's not that they are less welcomed, it's that, like the Rich Young Ruler (Mat. 19:16-26), they have riches, money, strength, and power all vying for their trust. I believe one of the biggest blessings that can come on a man is what happened to my friend Ross Hamilton. He's a famous photographer with his skill at capturing nature's beauty featured in magazines, or decorating the halls of hospitals. Yet in his 50's he went completely blind. In his 80's I had a chance while giving him a ride to ask him what he made of that in terms of his relationship with God. Humbly, and with a chuckle, he said, "you know Ryan, it's been my experience that God will often hit you where you're strongest". That was that, he didn't elaborate, but just testified. Yet in scripture we see this being crucial for both the prodigal (Luke 15:16) and the Rich Young Ruler (Mat. 19:22), or Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic who was asked if God could heal her would she want it. She replied if it meant exchanging the relationship she currently enjoys with the Lord for it, she wouldn't trade it for all the walking in the world. Thank God for suffering if it leads to life!

Fruit comes from the relationship with Christ, if there is no fruit, or if there is bad fruit, then the relationship must be challenged. That is the purpose behind what James is saying (Jam. 2:14-16), and likewise what Paul addresses in Romans 6:1-2. If you notice fruit missing from your life, the solution is not to work harder, nor is it to try and deceive yourself and others by turning on your flashlights. Scripture says false teachers will disguise themselves as Christians like Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13-14). It therefore is possible to look like a Christian, act like a Christian, do many works in His Name and even call Him Lord, and yet not be a Christian. Therefore do not be deceived! This is the time for an honest confession, and an honest look, and by so doing, keeping yourself from being on the wrong side of things when the Lord separates his sheep from the goats (Mat. 25:33). Jesus said how are you going to know the difference? By their fruits you shall know them (Mat. 7:15-20).

Question: What fruit do you bear? If you gave inquiry to twelve people in your circles, what would they identify as the fruit coming through you? Who do they glorify for it? It would be better to judge ourselves now than be judged later (1 Cor. 13:11). If bad fruit or no fruit exists then there is something wrong with your relationship and if there's something wrong with your relationship than there is something wrong with your faith.

If you feel you fail the test, this is not a time to scramble into action (i.e. works via flesh) in order to convince yourself and others, there is no "fake it until you make it" with God. So many of us consume ourselves with what we do that we fail what's far more important is what we are, and that is what matters to God. We keep ourselves distracted in order to not face reality. Every day we're propping up a cardboard cut-out and pray nobody looks and sees us behind it. Yet scripture says to test yourselves to see if you're in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5-7), to take an honest self-examination. If you fail the test, than you need to realize it's a relationship issue, and recognize Jesus has His hand held out to you, take it (Mat. 7:7-11)! Now keep in mind fruit comes in seasons, there are seasons where the tree grows, and roots get deeper, and there is a time of harvest. You will have seasons of suffering in your life that seem fruitless, but God is faithful! In my life I believe there are both. Testimony from others present and past testify of what God is doing in my life and through my life, but my own focus is on my hangups, and on works, bad ones, good ones, or ones I should be doing. Galatians speaks to me as much as anybody. What I love though is that though I struggle in my flesh, God is faithful and still at work in my Spirit.

Fruit comes natural to the new man, the new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). While works are hard (Mat. 11:28), fruit is natural and comes it's easy (Mat. 11:29-30) and is the natural result of being attached to the vine (John 15:4-5). Works remain in the realm of the old nature, the old ways, through the strength of the flesh, and are no value to the Christian or to God. Paul writes of such elementary principles of the world (i.e. works) that they "have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence." (Col. 2:23). So many today are in the ministries out of obligation. Compelled not because of faith working through love (Gal. 5:6, 2 Cor. 5:14), but because it's required, demanded, and expected, whether such yokes are placed upon us by ourselves or others, regardless if it's not fruit of the Spirit than it's works of the flesh. I met with a men's ministry leader who stated to me that he has continued praying that God would release him from having to run that ministry but God hadn't answered yet... another who was teaching a bible study said he wasn't a gifted teacher but someone had to do it. Even the church down the road from our corner store had a sign that read "the world has a lot of laws but until we learn to follow God's ten nothing will change".

Question: Can you be saved and not sanctified? What part of our sanctification is our responsibility? (See. 1 Thes. 5:23, 1 Cor. 1:30).

Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? - Galatians 3:4

The Galatians had previously suffered persecution by the religious sect for their faith. Now Paul is asking them if that persecution for their faith was in vain since they have returned to a works based system...the very thing the persecutors were pushing on them, and persecuting them for not. Now that some time has past and as they have become acclimated, they have fallen for the very thing they stood against. These men shared in the sufferings of Jesus, Who was the ultimate recipient of the persecution of the Jewish religious leaders. Paul is now asking them if all of that was meaningless since now they have joined them.

Question: Have you ever been pierced in the heart when you have remembered where you've fallen from something you previously stood for? This was similar to how God convicted David (2 Sam. 12:1-6).

It has been my experience that the heaviest resistance to the grace of God are not from those outside the church but from those within. Those that hold to a "perfected by the flesh mentality" hold in contempt those who live by merely trusting in God, much like the contempt Martha even had for her sister Mary, and Jesus who wasn't doing anything about it (Luke 10:40). This should be no surprise as it was the same even in biblical times. It was the religious who sought out those who were enjoying their freedom in Christ in order to bring them into bondage to rules and regulations once again (Gal. 2:4, 5:1). Such men will gladly show you their many mighty works, and point to others doing the same, and will use those as an example of where you should be and what you should be doing. Do not submit to them even a bit! (Gal. 2:5).

So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? - Galatians 3:5

This verse makes it clear that the law, rules, and regulations, are not the tool of the Holy Spirit. So many Christians believe that when they get the Holy Spirit what they are getting is the strength to finally be able to do the works of the law that there flesh hasn't been able to perform thus far. They equate the indwelling of the Holy Spirit with strength to be able to follow the old system. Yet this would be putting a new patch on an old garment, and only makes things worse (Mat. 9:16).

Question: Have you ever battled with besetting sin in your life and been perplexed as to why you can't overcome it? There is often this confusion among Christians who know they hate sin, and they know God hates sin, therefore they conclude they should be able to now overcome it with His help. Yet by "His help" what they really mean is by Him making their flesh even stronger so they can be perfected in the flesh. The Spirit to them isn't personable, and of it's own being, but rather an increased power they somehow activate. So many people equate the performance of their flesh with the work of the Spirit as if they are one in the same. And when they don't perform well in the flesh they conclude they aren't living in the Spirit correctly, especially when they look around at other Christians, who through their hypocrisy, seem to have it altogether. Ultimately what's happened is these legalists become Christians and now they are Christian legalists who use fit Christian things into their way of thinking. Instead of enjoying the freedom they have in Christ from the law, they make up a new law for themselves and then put themselves under it. While they use the right terms such as "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", yet they apply it all wrong. That verse refers to Christians holding up under persecution and enduring hardship, it does not teach that a Christian is empowered to accomplish any task simply because they are saved. So how do you overcome sin in your life? You can't. That cannot be accomplished by you. That however is the very meaning of our Lord's name (Mat. 1:21). If you're stuck in sin, perhaps it's time not to try but to trust (1 John 1:9). You've likely tried everything else to no avail already (Gal. 3:23-24). God can do what man cannot. Paul reminds them of the miracles accomplished by the Spirit through faith, something works, no matter how hard you try, can never accomplish.