Foolish Galatians

Once a person becomes a believer, the law actually hinders the fulfillment of God's purpose for our lives: that He might express His life in and through us. That is because the law by its nature sets a standard which we automatically try in our own effort to live up to. And the moment we do, we are living according to our own self-effort, rather than by faith, trusting Christ's life in us. That is exactly what Paul chastised the Galatians about:

You foolish Galatians!...Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Galatians 3:1-3)

— The Rest of the Gospel: When the partial Gospel has worn you out, page 52

<idle musing;gt:
It is way too easy to fall into the trap of self-works—that's why Paul had to address the Galatian church so harshly. We need to lean/trust/rely/depend on Jesus for everything, otherwise it is self-effort.
</idle musing;gt: