July 3rd Galatians 3-5

Chapters 3-5:12, Paul begins by declaring that salvation is through faith and trust in Jesus Christ “Alone”, and cannot be obtained through the keeping of the Law.

 “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Galatians 3:1-3).

The Law (10 Commandments) is our guardian to lead us to salvation in Jesus Christ, “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” (3:24). No one can obey the 10 Commandments. It is impossible. Every person has broken them; therefore, we can only attain salvation through trusting in our Savior Christ Jesus.

Chapter 4 

 The Paul deals plainly with those who urged the law of Moses together with the gospel of Christ, and endeavored to bring believers under its bondage. They could not fully understand the meaning of the law as given by Moses. And as that was a dispensation of darkness, so of bondage; they were tied to many burdensome rights and observances, by which they were taught. We learn the happier state of Christians under the gospel dispensation. From these verses see the wonders of Divine love and mercy; particularly of God the Father, in sending his Son into the world to redeem and save us. God submitted so low, and suffered so much for us; and of the Holy Spirit, in condescending to dwell in the hearts of believers, for such gracious purposes. Although by nature we are children of sin and disobedience, we become by grace children of love, and partake of the nature as children of God; for he will have all his children resemble him. “Among men the eldest son is heir; but all God's children shall have the inheritance of eldest sons.” –Matthew Henry (commentary)

Chapter 5

Christ will not be the Savior of any who will not own and rely upon him as their only Savior. This is very important and we need to listen to the warnings and persuasions of the apostle to follow the ways of the gospel. All true Christians are taught by the Holy Spirit, wait for eternal life, the reward of righteousness, and the object of their hope, as the gift of God by faith in Christ; and not for the sake of their own works.

In a way our lives in Christ are a race, which we must run and hold on tight. If we do hold on tight we will obtain the prize. Don’t just profess your Christianity; you must also live up to your profession of running. Paul also urges us to remember and follow the command to love one another as we have loved ourselves. If as Christians, we help one another, and rejoice in one another we will be set free and have the love of God in us. If we all would just stop fighting and trying to beat one another down, and instead follow the commands of our loving God we would all be set free.  

How can you set yourself free today?

Are you trying to justify your salvation by works and not faith?