Faith and Freedom in Him

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith - just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?" -Galatians 3:5-6 

God has shown me how important faith is in knowing Christ. To follow God, I need faith. To believe in God, I need faith. To bring glory to God, I need faith. 

"So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith." -Galatians 3:14

"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith." -Galatians 3:26

Why then is faith so important? Then God says this: 

"For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." -Galatians 3:21-22

God is telling us that faith was the only way that could give life. There was no other way. Learning this today, spurred me to pray for faith. Praying in faith for more faith, having faith that God would answer my prayers. And again, why is faith so important to God? 

Is there another emotion or action or feeling that could give life? I don't think so. God knew that faith took the control out of His people's hands and put it back into God's hands. Even as we receive faith, God is the one in control. 

It would be easy to think that having faith gives us no control. That we have have no freedom in being faithful. That we must do what God obeys. And yet, God reveals how there is freedom in knowing Christ: 

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." -Galatians 5:1 

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." -Galatians 5:13

Paul then describe the affects of faithfully walking with the Holy Spirit:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." -Galatians 5:22-23

Faith is giving up control and entrusting it to our faithful God. Desiring control over a situation is the exact opposite of what you've called us to do. I'm learning that there is freedom in having no control.