Galatians 3:11
‘Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”’
Teaching and learning are a large part of Christianity. Proverbs speaks much about being wise and open to learning. This verse has Paul is making his case. His initial point is the first half of this verse, “no one is justified by the Law”. He’s spent 16 verses on this topic. He’s confident that he’s made his point by saying it’s “evident”. He’s leading us, the readers, down a path. He loudly says, “Got it?” Paul is using a teaching device. He’s done and ready to move on.
Here’s how it worked with me. My attention had drifted, so this initial wrap up, has me searching my mind, “Do I have it? Am I with him?” I’m vaguely with him. I know that this is one of the themes, but I was caught sleeping and need to go back to read those 16 verses.
An experienced teacher knows the teaching process. The three stages of learning are 1) I do, 2) we do and 3) you do. The first step is I do. This is when the teacher demonstrates the task, skill or point. Once done the teacher gives a similar practice problem for the class to do. The students are asked to check with their neighbors to verify accuracy. To hold students accountable, the teacher asks students to explain their solutions. Once students are confident, they are given the homework, which is the “they do” step.
The students have various levels of understanding. They’ll encounter that when they do their homework and check their answers. So also, us readers have various levels of understanding. Some solidly have Paul’s point. Some don’t at all and others are somewhere in between.
Paul is going through this exercise because the Galatian church had fallen into error. They had been led astray by some that had their own misunderstanding or evil scheme. Unfortunately, this isn’t uncommon. Particularly in our world in which there are powers that are hostile to faith that seek to undermine it or those who seek their own power.
There are different types of understanding. One is cognitive and the other is experienciel. The first is understanding the point mentally with no connection to personal experience while the second has an association that is related to their experience. One has a tacit grasp while the other owns it. The first isn’t involved in the topic while the second is immersed in it with great familiarity.
The believer is to be familiar with all aspects of faith. This is very different from the uninterested church goer. That one’s mind is wandering during the service. This might define some of our experience growing up. Hopefully some life circumstance wakes us up and we adopt faith as our own.
We, as christians, are to be learners. But as evidenced by the Galatians, one can fall into error. I Timothy 4:16 says, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” If we are in a good bible teaching church and have solid christian friends in which we can speak into each others lives helps with remaining on the right path.
Lord, help us to have a solid understanding of Your truths. Help us to learners and stay close to You.