Sometimes you just gotta love Peterson and his translation/commentary, The Message Bible. Such was the case this morning as I was reading in Galatians 3 and checked out a couple of other translations. The word “bewitched” (ESV, NKJV, NASB, NIV) caused me to pause and hover over Paul’s seemingly exasperated grilling of the Galatians . . . an exasperation that I think Peterson captures well . . .

“You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the Cross was certainly set before you clearly enough. Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it?” (Galatians 3:1-4, The Message)

In those translations that try and stay more in align with the original languages, Paul calls these believers “foolish” and wonders, “Who has bewitched you?” The issue? A view that, now that they were saved (by faith), the way to favor with God was to adhere to the moral and ceremonial law of the old covenant. The cross was enough to get into the ballgame, but not enough to hit a home run . . . enough to avoid hell, but not enough to really merit heaven . . . enough to be redeemed, but not enough to be justified.

So, they were entertaining a “different gospel” . . . a “new and improved” version. They were being told that the 1.0 version of the gospel might have been good enough to start the journey, but that they needed the 2.0 version, “The Cross+” version, to get to the destination. Somehow they were buying into that, while it was God who began the work, it was up to them to complete it. And to this Paul responded . . . crazy! . . . give your head a shake! . . . what are you thinking? . . . who has bewitched you?

Apparently it’s the only time the word is used in the new testament. At it’s essence it means to slander or malign . . . by extension it means to “fascinate by false representations.” They were fascinated by the thought that they could earn justification . . . that they could power their way to righteousness . . . very appealing to the ego. But this “different gospel” . . . this “new and improved ‘good news’ ” wasn’t good news at all . . . it was demeaning to the work of Christ . . . it was degrading to the love the God . . . and it was enslaving to those who would embrace it. They were bewitched . . . they were under a spell . . . the intoxicating substance of self-sufficiency and ego led them to believe they had the ability to gain righteousness before God by their own actions.
In essence, using Peterson terminology, it was just an “hex-cuse” to nurture pride.

I’m reminded afresh this morning that it is prideful arrogance to think I bring anything to the table, apart from a submissive spirit and sincere desire to obey. When it comes to my sanctification . . . when it come to the work of God forming within me the essence of His Son . . . it is His work, not mine. It’s not about my discipline . . . not about my academic ability . . . not about my abilities . . . not about me at all! Just as my new life in Christ begun by faith, so the forming of the life of Christ in me is by faith. Just as I rely totally on the finished work of the cross for the washing away of my sin (past, present, and future), so too I rely totally on the promise of God and the Spirit of God to finish the work He has begun in me (Php. 1:6). Just as I believe that He is coming back for me, I also believe that He will present me to Himself as He wants me.

It’s crazy to think that I have to, or in any way can, add to God’s work. He is sufficient . . . He is my all in all . . . no hex-cuses!