Human pride often expresses itself in a persistent achievement orientation. High achievements are good, but the orientation that requires such achievements is not. The reward that we often crave from our achievements is the sense of security we gain from them. This same pride, accordingly, creates a false humility when we fail to achieve highly; we feel hopeless, and we despair of ourselves. This achievement orientation can be carried right into the Christian life and is one of the things that hijacks our growth in faith. This is what Paul is dealing with in the Galatian church: a religion of spiritual achievement. You probably know what this feels like. It is all too easy to find yourself doing good things (like serving in ministry, praying, reading the Bible, etc.) because you feel guilty when you don’t. It is a compelling motive because your conscience is a powerful force in you once it is reawakened by the Holy Spirit. But God doesn’t awaken your conscience to put you on a guilt trip. He does this to lead you to Christ, who in turn gives you access to a guilt free life. God does not want you to live as one pushed by achievement orientation and by guilt. He wants us to live as one drawn by promise. He places before you the opportunity to live a liberated life of peace and joy with God. You only need to respond in faith and you can walk in the favour of God securely and freely.
Ask God to lead you forwards to live the life of faith he wants you to live.
Read Galatians 3:1-14
