The Apostle Paul traveled in the Roman Province of Galatia on all three of his missionary journeys. During this time, he planted a number of churches, and on this occasion, he felt it necessary to address all of them in one letter, and that’s what we find in the Book of Galatians. In fact, Paul addresses his letter to “the churches of Galatia.”

Paul wrote this letter in response to a report that he received that the Galatian churches were suddenly being taken over by the false teaching of certain Jews who professed Jesus, yet sought to place gentile converts under the requirements of the Mosaic Law. Having launched their Christian experience by faith, certain Jews encouraged them to leave their journey of faith and chart a new course based on works, which of course, greatly disturbed Paul.

Paul reminded these churches that the Law declares mankind guilty of sin and imprisons them; faith sets them free to enjoy their freedom in Christ. But he also needed to remind them that this freedom does not give them license for sin. On the contrary, this freedom means to have the freedom to produce the fruits of the Spirit by living a life according to the power and direction of the Holy Spirit.

Paul was a great theologian who used basic logic against these “Judaizers,” who were disrupting the faith of these Christians. Check out Paul’s argument,

“…a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus,….since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified;…for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died in vain” (Gal. 2:16, 21).

Did you catch that? If we could be saved and declared “righteous” through the Law, then why did Jesus have to die? That’s a great argument for each of us to use as we share the Good News with those who want to trust in their good works for salvation. Just ask them the same question that Paul asked, “If you can be saved by doing the good works that you claim will get you to heaven, then why did Jesus have to die?”

Paul goes on to share how believers in Christ become “children of God” through faith in Christ (Gal. 3:26); and how we are to walk by the Spirit, be led by the Spirit; and live by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-25). And in the midst of this section of his letter, Paul informs his readers of the Fruit of the Spirit, 

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23).

Just take a minute to think about what Paul said. I, for one, have never heard of a law forbidding me to have or express love, joy, peace, patience, etc. You get the point!

Finally, I’d like to share with you my personal “life verse,” a single verse that captured my heart and mind during my college years, and has influenced by life to this day. 

“For I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20).

Friends, if any of you are counting on your works to get you to heaven, please realize that the Gospel is clear on this issue – It is only by faith in Christ and what He has done for us when He died on the cross. And again, Paul’s argument is superb: “If you could be saved by the works of the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” I pray that you will discover true grace, God’s unmerited favor, bestowed on all those who come to Christ by faith.

In our next book, the Book of Ephesians, Paul will once again address this vital issue of salvation by faith and not by “the works of the Law.” Hope to see you next week.

In the meantime, Peggy and I want to wish you a very blessed 2022. Whether the circumstances are good or bad in this New Year, we know that our true hope lies in God, knowing that He will never disappoint us!!!

God bless You all.