Theology Blog

During my time in California for my doctoral work, the professor talked a lot about Galatians 5. The main concepts related to Galatians 5 included trust, righteousness, the Holy Spirit and the notion of adoption. These are four very significant concepts that I continue to unpack as I start to study and wrestle with the passage myself. What is interesting to me is the way in which he talked about trust. His belief is that trust is our response to God and that by trusting God, the Holy Spirit takes our trust and uses it to build righteousness in us. This righteousness is indicated by the fruit of the spirit, the lack of trust in our lives for God is indicated by some of the sin discussed in Galatians 5. Its an interesting summary of the text and while I have not grappled with it in depth and come to my own understanding, conclusions and wording on the issue, I have to agree with his assessment. The more areas, aspects and ways in which we trust God in our lives, the more the Holy Spirit is given room to work in us and to truly make us righteous. It is trust, not action or belief that leads us to righteousness and the abundant life. What do you think about this concept of trust as a cornerstone of the Gospel? What do you make of this understanding of Galatians 5.