Galations - A Case Study of Justification By Faith

Galatians is another one of the Apostle Paul’s brilliant Books in the New Testament! It is here he stresses the importance of Knowing the marvelous Freedom we have in JESUS! Paul writes this fiery Epistle to the Church in Galatia to defend Justification by FAITH. Shorty after his first missionary journey the Galatians were taunted by false teachers who insisted on a legal approach to obeying Jewish law in order to be accepted by God and legalism! In Galatians He reminds them of the True Gospel that he had taught them and the importance of not; abandoning it for any other perverted one by the Judaizers! They were an extreme faction within the Church and they accused Paul of watering down the Gospel! The key scripture in Galatians is: “It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set us FREE. Stand firm, then do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of bondage.”

Paul goes so far to say that if anyone teaches you anything different it is perverted:”But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a Gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned…” This confirms the seriousness of this matter! Paul did not make this up! Nor was he trying to win the approval of man! It is important that we do not compromise the Word of God in order to be accepted. It is not wise to seek out the approval of anyone over what God has to say. It is the approval of God alone that we should seek above all else! As we align ourselves up with Him vertically, He will help us properly relate in our horizontal relationships, as well as navigate through life.

It is important as a Christian that you know that you are not boxed in to legalistic religion. It is an endless rewarding journey of spiritual growth in becoming a Christian. Once you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior you receive the gift of His Holy Spirit that then resides within you! This is why knowing the Word of God for yourself is so very important. Just like you get to know a close friend or a relative by developing a personal relationship with them, you must develop an ongoing intimate personal relationship with the Lord through embracing His Word.

When Jesus Christ came He fulfilled the requirements of the law which no other man could. The law served its purpose and appropriately taught and continues to teach us right and wrong as a schoolmaster. It teaches us the great need for God’s plan of Salvation! As believers we are saved by Faith in God through Jesus Christ alone! Paul was well aware of this because he was once very legalistic himself before his conversion. Initially he did not consult with anyone but was directly commissioned by God! He spent alone time with God as he prepared for ministry. Paul then extended his ministry to others regardless of their Color, race, sex, social status, rich or poor or their level of education he was truly led by the Spirit. He knew that in Jesus Christ all believers are different yet equal.

How wonderful it is to know that God loved us so much that He allowed “His only begotten Son” to come to earth! He was born of a woman, robed in a sinless body of flesh and conquered sin in the flesh to become the perfect sacrifice for us! For many years the Jewish nation was looking for the “Messiah!” Some still to this day do not believe that He has come and continue to look for the coming of the Messiah?

There was also ongoing conflict between the law, grace, faith and deeds. We still have this conflict today. There are different doctrines and beliefs between the plethora of denominations. Through Jesus Christ we are free to choose a place of worship. What is important is that the foundational Christian principles of Faith are embraced and apparent! Justification by Faith is important! But we must never twist the Truth of His Word or accept anything other than the True Gospel! “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” Therefore no one else was worthy to die and redeem us from the penalty of sin and death other than Jesus! This is why we all need a Savior to save us from sin reigning in our lives! It is through the work of the Holy Spirit we are able to daily be transformed from within. His Holy Spirit is the Comforter and Master internal Teacher that guides us to all TRUTH and empowers us to have the FRUIT of His Spirit manifest in our lives.

In Galatians Paul tells us the importance of being led by the Spirit “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law...” Galatians shows us the difference between the works of the flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit. The works of the flesh are: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry, and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fit of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy: drunkenness, orgies, and the like I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God…”

Notice the contrast between The Fruit of the Spirit: But the Spirit of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control! Against such things there is no law.” God out Creator and Maker knows us from the inside out! He is totally aware of what we need! He has given us His Holy Spirit to help us! As we grow spiritually the Fruit of His Spirit begins to manifest in our lives! As long as we are in the flesh we need a Savior! It is by His Holy Spirit we can choose to not yield to sin. God is interested in ALL areas of our lives that means, spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, vocationally, intellectually and yes materially! It is a daily choice to seek out and live life God’s Way!

Paul spoke boldly, since his authority was questioned he readily commences to tell us that he was not called by man but by God the Father! It is only through Jesus Christ one can receive the gift of Eternal Life to live throughout eternity with the Father! There is a tendency for many to think that all roads lead to God! But according to the Scriptures “Jesus is the WAY the Truth and the life.” See John 14 There is no other way for those who claim to be believers! Galatians confirms the one True Gospel! “Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the WILL of God and Father, to whom be GLORY forever and ever amen.”