Galatians

The book of Galatians is a call for freedom from the law. Paul writes to the churches of Galatia who are in distress, as they have quickly abandoned the gospel they originally received. Judaizers had infiltrated the churches and were preaching circumcision, trying to place the converted Jewish Christians back under the yoke of the law, while at the same time trying to show the Gentile believers that their faith was inadequate without the Mosaic law. Paul starts out telling them that this is an entirely different gospel. He writes to the churches to remind them of grace and that the only means to be justified is by faith in Jesus not by the law.

Confusion set into the churches of Galatia, so Paul reminds the church to stay true to the gospel he received by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. The man who formerly persecuted the church now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy!

The apostles had accepted Paul’s gospel message concluding he had been sent by God to preach to the Gentiles. Paul opposes Peter and the brethren who had distanced themselves from the Gentiles and fell back into Jewish customs and laws. He cites that no one will be justified by observing the law and concludes that if righteousness could be obtained by the law, Christ died for nothing.

The Holy Spirit is received by faith, He is never received by observing the law. Paul goes on to explain that everyone trying to live by the law is under a curse. Christ became the curse for us so the same blessing given to Abraham may be given to all who believe. He emphasizes that the true purpose of the law was to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Showing that if we belong to Christ then we are heirs according to the promise given to Abraham.

Believers are now adopted into God’s family.  They are sons in Christ. At the proper time God sent Jesus born under the law to redeem those living under it so we could receive the full rights of sonship. Paul pleads with the church not to turn back to the weak and miserable principles of the law to be enslaved by them again. Paul uses the example of Abraham’s two sons, one born in an ordinary way into slavery and one born according to the promise, in freedom. In Christ, we are children of the promise born in freedom.

Those who are trying to be justified by obedience to the law have alienated themselves from Christ and have fallen from grace. Paul emphasizes freedom in Christ by encouraging the Galatians to live by the Spirit of God. He then compares and contrasts the acts of the sinful nature with those of the Spirit, implying that those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature which freed them from the law.

We need to carry each other’s burdens and to test our own actions. Paul advises that we will reap whatever we sow in life. If we sow to the flesh, then we will reap accordingly. If we sow to the Spirit then we will reap eternal life. He closes this letter reminding us that the only thing that counts is our new creation in Christ Jesus.  As I hope you will see, this is an amazing book and will bless all who read, understand and enjoy this wonderful message of grace and the freedom we have in Jesus Christ!

May you be blessed and inspired as you read and study the book of Galatians.