“But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Galatians 5:5-6 (NLT)

It occurs to me that it is quite possible that the reason that we tend to return to the works of the Law is because we are anxious to experience some immediate benefit of the works of our hands.

As a six-year-old, I can remember a visit to a friend’s home. Steve was a young man who had spent time in the navy. He was a skilled model ship builder. The shelves of his large room were lined with model ships of every description. It was like a museum of naval history. Every ship was built with the greatest of care to the finest detail. Every tiny part carefully painted and placed. Obviously, Steve was a craftsman – and his motive for building each ship was clearly accuracy and quality.

After this visit, I decided that I was going to be a model ship builder just like Steve. I bought a small replica of the 1862 gunboat USS Monitor. In my enthusiasm to get the boat built, however, I decided to skip all the troublesome detail work. I hurriedly glued the dull grey pieces together, no painting, and no attention to detail. In my haste, I left glue fingerprints all over the hull and pieces were crooked. I remember comparing my final product with the picture on the front of the box. I felt cheated. Why do those things never look as good as the picture?

Paul is telling us that life in the Spirit is not accomplished by our effort to satisfy the requirements of the Law. In fact, “it makes no difference to God….” We sometimes rush to realize “everything promised to us who are right with God” by seizing control of our lives and pressing ahead in human effort. When we are left with the result, we are dissatisfied and discouraged. The work has already been done. How can we improve on the work of Christ?

Lord, you know our tendency to run ahead. Please give us the strength to wait eagerly for your promises, as we enjoy our relationship with you through faith. Amen.

Written by Kent R. Oviatt