Daily Readings - Fri Oct 12 2018
Galatians
6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Luke
15But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.16And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.17But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.18If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.19And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.20But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.21When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:22But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.23He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.24When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.25And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.26Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound truths about faith, grace, and the spiritual battle that defines our lives as followers of Christ. The first reading from Galatians reminds us that faith, not works of the law, is the foundation of our relationship with God. Abraham, the father of faith, trusted in God’s promise, and this trust was reckoned to him as righteousness. Paul emphasizes that we, too, are children of Abraham by faith, and through Christ, we inherit the blessings promised to Abraham. The law, while good, cannot justify us because it is not based on faith. Christ, however, has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, so that we might receive the Spirit and live by faith.
The Gospel from Luke presents a complementary yet challenging message. Jesus, in response to accusations that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub, teaches us about the nature of God’s kingdom and the reality of spiritual warfare. He warns that a house divided against itself cannot stand, and if Satan were to fight against himself, his kingdom would collapse. Jesus then turns the tables on His accusers, pointing out that if His power comes from God, then the kingdom of God is already at work among them. He also warns about the danger of spiritual complacency, using the parable of the unclean spirit that returns to a soul that has been swept clean but not filled with the Holy Spirit. This spirit brings back seven more wicked spirits, leaving the person worse off than before.
These readings remind us that our faith must be active and rooted in God’s grace. In Galatians, we see that faith is not just intellectual assent but a radical trust in God’s promises, which unites us to Christ and makes us heirs of the blessings given to Abraham. In Luke, we are called to recognize the reality of spiritual warfare and the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, lest we become vulnerable to the lies and temptations of the enemy. Our lives must be marked by a deep reliance on God’s grace and a commitment to living in the freedom and power of the Spirit. Let us not settle for a superficial faith or a life that is merely “swept clean” but not inhabited by the presence of God. Instead, let us seek to be fully alive in Christ, trusting in His power to overcome every stronghold and to fill us with His life-giving Spirit.