How does a person become a Christian? I think the majority of existing Christians would say that a person gets saved by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior or by simply believing in Jesus or by accepting the free gift of grace from God. And any of these would be correct. Paul wrote to the Ephesian church “For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

However, when asked how a Christian becomes mature in their faith, most Christians will answer: by reading your Bible, doing daily devotions, praying often, going to every church service, getting connected to a small group, giving to the church and missions, by serving at your church, etc.

Not that doing any of those activities are bad––in fact, they’re all very good things to be involved with––but none the less, they are just activities. They are merely external events that we can choose to do.

Instead, I believe the way for a Christian to become spiritually mature is to live life the same way they received eternal life––by the grace of God through faith in Jesus. Let’s take a look at Galatians to study this a bit further.

Galatians 3:1-9
1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
4 Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain?
5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

In verses 1 and 2, Paul is confirming to the church of Galatia what he wrote in Ephesians 2:8 –– that a person is saved by grace through faith. Then in verse 3 he questions their motives. Above we read from the New American Standard Bible, which is very accurate to the original text. However, I also think that the New Living Translation captures the heart of what Paul’s telling the Galatians.

Galatians 3:3 NLT
How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

First Paul makes it clear that they didn’t receive the Spirit of God (salvation) by obeying the Mosaic Law. Then he says that their works of the flesh or human effort are also powerless to save and perfect them.

These people were not lacking in a desire to know God better. No. The problem was that their desire to become mature in their relationship with God was based out of a sense of duty––the attitude of “I must do this because it’s good, right or expected of me.”

The Jewish person was expected to obey all 613 commands of the Mosaic Law. It was taught to them from early childhood and reinforced with many festivals and sacrifices throughout the year. So even though these Galatians had truly accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and had received the Spirit of God, they were turning back to what they knew, to what they understood, and to what they were comfortable with.

This is why Paul corrects them by saying nothing they physically do (works of the Law or any human effort) will bring them closer to God. And to prove his point, Paul points them to Abraham as an example of a person who didn’t physically do anything and yet God gave him righteousness.

Then Paul uses the phrase “those who are of the faith” (literally, “those who continuously believe, rely on, and have confidence in the Lord”) to describe Abraham’s motive. Abraham’s righteousness didn’t come out of a sense duty (“I have to”), it came out of a sense of belief (an “I want to rely on God”). He lived his life continuously wanting to rely on the Lord. Sure he made his fare share of mistakes but he was always able to get back on track because his motivation was based on an “I want to rely on God” instead of “I have to”.

How about us? What is motivating our desire to become mature in our faith?

We may not have 613 commands that we’re expected to obey like the Galatian Jews, but we do have many things that are “expected” of us after we become a Christian. Let’s take a look at probably the three biggest Christian expectations: reading the Bible, praying, and going to church.

We definitely need to get God’s Word into our hearts and minds. We definitely need to dialogue with God. And we definitely need to stay connected with people of similar faith. All of these are necessary for us to draw closer to God, but let me ask you, what motivated you the last time you sat down to read your Bible? Was it just another activity on your “to do” list that had to get done? Was it accompanied with dreadful thoughts because you’ve fallen three chapters behind your Bible study group? Or is it something you just can’t wait to do because you know that every time you read it, the Lord reveals new truths to you?

When you think of your prayer times, are they just laborious sessions of one-sided conversations? Are they merely what you do before and after a devotion because that’s what you’re suppose to do? Or do you see prayer as your opportunity to share with the Creator of the Universe–your Lord and Savior who sticks closer than a brother–what’s been going on in your day? Or as your chance to ask for God’s best to happen in somebody else’s life?

Are you at every church activity, either attending or helping, because you were taught that’s when God moves in peoples lives? Are you always saying “yes” to the volunteer list because you’re afraid that God will be disappointed if you don’t? Or do you see specific opportunities at church and can’t wait to signup for them because you know God has gifted you to do that kind of work or to serve those people in need?

All the nations were blessed through Abraham, not because of what he did, but because of who he relied on. Because of his faith in the Lord, he was compelled to do what pleased God. The same is true with us. Our faith should compel us to do the very things that not only please God but also draw us closer to Him. I encourage you to take inventory of the motives in your life. Ask the Lord to help you live life by grace through faith.