Paul vs. The Galatiansনমুনা

Alive by Faith

“Captain Obvious.”

Perhaps a bit of a dismissive title, but it's often funny.

My personal “Captain Obvious” moment was one day when I declared how much I hated mosquitoes. In playful banter, my wife regarded me with a shocked expression and replied, “Really?! I love them!”

Fair enough. Perhaps my revelation wasn’t all that revealing.

Paul may have been saluting said Captain in today’s part of his letter to the Galatians.

He reminded them that “the righteous shall live by faith”—rejecting a life defined by religious perfection.

We know what it's like. When men bear any level of responsibility, the pull toward structure and procedure is natural. It gives us a bar to shoot for, a way to measure the success we are chasing.

But unchecked rigidity can lead to dangerous places of legalism and an unhealthy view of what “the rules” are meant to do. Neither perfection in performance nor obedience to man-made rules secures life—only faith in Christ does.

Living by faith shifts priorities. It frees us to pivot when family needs demand a course change. It anchors a business decision amid uncertainty. It nurtures relationships when logic or unchecked emotions suggest distance.

Men living a faith-filled life trust God beyond bank balances, resumes, or image. We become men of prayer, even when feelings are distant or outcomes unclear.

This doesn't mean we are passive or soft. Realistically, it takes guts to trust what isn’t easily seen, to submit and surrender to guidance that doesn’t come naturally. To step onto difficult ground because someone’s hurt. To apologize when pride wants distance. To obey when it’s hard.

And in each step, Spirit-strengthened faith builds confidence—not in man-made systems, but in the living God.

We aren't called to be perfect men—we're called to walk in trust.

As men of God, we live and lead not by controlling agendas, but by depending on His provision and direction. This reliance fosters resilience—when projects crash or family seasons shift, faith-centered men persevere.

Prayer: Father, forgive my rigidity that may limit Your Spirit's work. Help me to live daily by faith—stepping out even when clarity falters. Amen.

Reflection: Where in your life are you leaning on your own strength or rules rather than trusting God in uncertainty?