Galatians 6:6-18 Closing Thoughts

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith....Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh....The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

 In his closing comments, Paul leaves us with a few thoughts.

First, in regards to full-time ministry. Those who devote themselves to teaching should be supported by those who receive. He addresses this issue in more detail in 1 Corinthians. "Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?...For it is written in the Law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.”...If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?" [1 Corinthians 9:7-11 NASB]

So we should honor those who teach us, and share with them from what God has provided to us.

In verse 7, he goes back to his previous discussion of the works of the flesh vs the fruit of the Spirit. If you feed the flesh, the flesh will prevail. If you feed the Spirit, the Spirit will prevail. Jesus said, “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." [Luke 6:43-45 NASB] In the same way, the works of the flesh cannot produce spiritual results.

In a similar vein, we reap good results when we do good. Being spiritual is not about "pie in the sky", ethereal thoughts; sequestering yourself from the world in order to commune with God. Being led by the Spirit means that He will lead you to do good works. These good works are not an effort to please God, or follow any law or set of rules saying, "You should do these good things." Rather, they are done in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

So being spiritual in origin and practical in nature, good works will reap eternal rewards. Don't get caught again in the trap of the law - doing good works because they are expected of you - but be led by the Spirit.

May you know God's grace in all that you think and do.

Galatians 6:1-5 How to Walk in the Spirit

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.

Paul is continuing his discussion contrasting the flesh vs the Spirit. There are two people in this passage. The one who is caught in any trespass is the one who is living in the flesh. The one who is spiritual is the one who is walking in the spirit.

He is suggesting that those who have learned to walk in the Spirit should mentor those who are not as far along. If you take on the role of mentor there will be temptations.

The most obvious temptation is to identify too much with the one you are teaching. In order to appear "sympathetic", you will join him in his fleshly pursuits. In the end, you will roll in the mud together.

The other temptation is pride. When comparing yourself to a believer who is still struggling with spirituality, it's easy to see your own, more advanced spiritual state, and think that you have somehow attained it by your own merit.

I used to be a believer that lived in the flesh. In spite of my good intentions, I couldn't overcome the sin in my life, and it ruled me. I never denied my faith, but I wasn't living the way I should. When I learned to walk in the Spirit, God delivered me from those sinful patterns. As he said, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." [Galatians 5:16]\

Because I still live in this body, my flesh still tries to rise up - not in the old sinful behavior from which God delivered me - but in the form of pride. I confess; pride is my nemesis. I want to compare my spirituality with other "less spiritual" believers. I want to think that I made the connection and the effort to walk in the Spirit. But I know that these are false.

Learning to walk in the Spirit didn't happen because of a great intellectual leap on my part. It happened because the Holy Spirit revealed it to me. I didn't overcome any sin on my own, but He took it from me. I did none of the work. He did everything. For my part, I believed, and I trusted.

Walking in the Spirit requires an act of faith. When you are tempted, you tell yourself, "I shouldn't do that." Then you steel yourself to resist the temptation. The problem is that telling yourself "I shouldn't" is an act of law, which is of the flesh. Trying to resist is an act of the flesh. You are only strengthening your flesh, which leads to more sin.

The first step in walking in the Spirit is acknowledging Him. When you are tempted, don't resist. Instead acknowledge that you are being tempted, then turn your heart and mind to Jesus. Stay there and rest in Him. Remember that He is living inside your heart, so you don't have to look out somewhere for help. He is right there.

You know that feeling you get when you are in the presence of the Holy Spirit? I'm not talking about your emotional reaction, but the feeling deep in your spirit, deeper than emotion. Emotions fluctuate. They come and go, depending on our circumstances. But the feeling of the presence of God does not depend on emotion.

Meditate on Him in prayer, and when you feel the presence of God, hang on to that feeling. Remember what it is like to be in His presence.

As you go through your day, you can feel the presence of God in everything you do; while working, playing, talking, or whatever you are doing. If you are driving your car and your spouse is sitting next to you, you don't forget your spouse just because you are driving. You can drive and also be aware of the presence of another person in the car. In the same way, you can drive and be aware of the Holy Spirit in you heart.

It is not easy at first to maintain an awareness of God. You get busy and your mind drifts. But as you remember, turn your mind back toward God, and maintain that awareness in the back of your mind. With practice, you will find that it becomes natural and habitual.

Living with full awareness of the Spirit of God, abiding in Him, this is what it means to walk in the Spirit. Learning to live without rules and being led by the Spirit is like stepping out of the boat and walking on the water. It takes faith. Trust God, and step out in faith.

Galatians 5:1-12 Fallen From Grace

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love....I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.

Paul is using the example of circumcision as a tenant of the law. The principle would hold true if he used keeping kosher, observing the sabbath, ritual cleansings, or any of the 613 Jewish commandments. The principle applies equally to any of the religious rules and rituals we follow.

The point being made here is that if you keep one part of the law, you are under obligation to keep the whole law. We are also told, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." [James 2:10 NASB]

Paul takes it even further, stating that those who have chosen to follow the law have fallen from grace. It's an either/or proposition. Either you are saved by grace, or you are saved by your works. If you could be saved by your works, then Jesus died in vain.

If you persist in choosing to do works as a path to righteousness, then you are denying the grace that God gave you, and are turning your back on the cross. Again, Paul goes so far as to say that if you persist in choosing to be sanctified by means of religious rituals, then you will be severed from Christ.

But Jesus did not die in vain. We are saved by grace through faith. We are also sanctified by grace through faith. All of our righteousness is from Him. We cannot progress in our Christian walk through any work of the flesh, but only as the Holy Spirit works in us, and as we work together with Him in faith.

Your religion doesn't matter. No denomination is better than another, but only your faith. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "but the righteous man shall live by faith." [Romans 1:17]

Rules and rituals are crutches we lean on in our spiritual walk. But our crutches quickly turn into chains.

But Jesus has set us free from those chains. Throw away the rule book and walk by faith. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Therefore, walk in that freedom, and let the Spirit of Christ lead you into righteousness.

Galatians 4:1-31 Religion vs Relationship

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God....But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years....Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar....And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.

Here Paul gives two more allegories to illustrate his point that we are to live by faith, and not by the rule of law.

In the first, he compares those who live by the law to a child who is under guardians and managers. Even as adults, if we live under the management of rules that tell us "do this" or "don't do that", then we have never matured. We are still under the authority of a guardian. Only when we are free from the law can we mature and come into our inheritance.

God has adopted us as his own children. Because of the this, He sent the Spirit of Jesus into our hearts.

When we pray, we are not praying to a God who is far away in Heaven. He is not far away, but is near. I have heard some preachers suggest that we imagine Jesus in the room with us. Then talk to him as if he is sitting nearby. But Jesus is closer than that. He is in your heart. Not the physical organ, but the deepest part of who you are, where your spirit resides.

Jesus said, "In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." [John 14:20 NASB] Because the Spirit of Jesus is in your heart, His spirit and your spirit become one. He is in you, and you are in Him. When you seek God, don't look for Him on the throne of Heaven because you can't go there in this life. Don't imagine him sitting in the room with you because that still places Him too far away. You will find God in your own heart, because He has placed His Spirit there.

There is a false religion that teaches that humanity is divine. Or that God lives in the heart of all men. Truth, they say, is found by looking within yourself. Don't confuse what I'm saying with that. People are not divine. God does not live in the heart of all people, only those who have placed their trust in the Lordship of Jesus. And we do not find any answers by looking within ourselves, but by seeking God, who is within us.

Having been set free from constraints of law, why do we insist upon being bound by religion. Religion says go to church on Sunday (or Saturday or Friday, depending on the religion). Religion tells us to eat at certain times, or fast at certain times, or which foods to eat or which to avoid; what to drink or not drink; which holidays to observe. The list goes on and on, and the more legalistic the religion, the longer the list becomes.

When I first came to Christ in the 1970's, many churches were still caught up in what was called the "holiness movement". Although there was nothing holy about it. "Holiness" churches mandated a dress code for church services. The top button must be buttoned so that you would not be a temptation to others. Women wore dresses, not pants. It was a sin to go to a movie theater (because we know what people do in the dark). Boys and girls could not go to the beach together, lest they see each other in revealing swimwear and be tempted. And on and on. Violations of the code would have you removed from the church.

The holiness movement has evolved. Church leaders decided to take a stand against "legalism" by dropping prohibitions about such things as dancing and theater attendance, while continuing to condemn alcohol and tobacco use as sin. Put another way, they couldn't live by their own rules, so they made the rules easier, but still remain in bondage to the letter of the law. They just changed some of the letters.

"But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?"

You who insist on being ruled by the law are like the children of Hagar the bondwoman. You are living in the flesh, and trying to make yourself righteous by acts of the flesh. You are like a child who puts on his dad's oversized shoes and coat and says, "I'm all grown up". But, in truth, you are still immature, the son of a bondwoman living under the authority of a tutor. The goal of "holiness" is to be free from sin, but no act of will, which is of the flesh, can free you from sin.

But God's promise to us is that we can be free. We are children of God and children of promise. God doesn't want your religion, he wants a relationship with His children. Walk in the freedom that God has given you. The Holy Spirit is alive in your heart. Listen to Him, and trust Him to lead you into righteousness. 

It may be scary to leave behind the rules of religion and rely on the Holy Spirit for every moral decision. It takes faith. But the rewards are far more than worth it. When you are free from the law, you are free to have a mature relationship with God the Father. When you are free from the bondage of religion, the Holy Spirit will free you from the bondage of sin.

Galatians 3:15-29 Promise to Abraham

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise....Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made....But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

God makes this promise to Abraham: “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”[Genesis 22:18 NASB] Abraham didn't obey God's voice because of law, but because of faith. Galatians 3:6 says, "Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."

This promise was fulfilled in Jesus. The Law that was given to Moses was not a fulfillment of the promise, nor did it replace the promise. It was more of a a parenthesis: God gave the promise (God gave the Law until the promise could be fulfilled) God fulfilled the promise in Jesus.

The Law fulfilled a purpose. Without faith, we need guidelines and rules to teach us how to live.

A child lacks the maturity to live a faith-filled life. As we are taught, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," [Romans 3:23 NASB] We are born into sin and need rules to teach us right from wrong. As we mature, we can make the decision to follow Christ, and live by faith. Until that time, we are still bound by the rules and laws. If we live our entire lives without ever accepting Christ, we are still bound by our own laws, and will be judged by them.

"For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus." [Romans 2:14-16 NASB] Don't think that this passage excuses those who don't hear the Gospel, as I've heard it taught. It does not excuse, but holds them accountable for the Law of their own hearts, and whether they have lived by it, or have ever broken their own Law.

But when faith comes, we no longer need to be taught right or wrong because the Spirit of God is in us, teaching and guiding us individually.

God's promise preceded the Law of Moses, and God's promise supersedes any law that you place upon yourself.

You have been born again as a child of God. The Law of Moses was to the Jews only, but the promise to Abraham was, "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed."

Therefore there is no difference in Christ. As it says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

We are all children of God by grace through faith. It is not a result of laws or works, but because God promised.

Galatians 3:1-14 Law or Faith?

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: 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?...Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness....For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, " Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "the righteous man shall live by faith." However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who practices them shall live by them."

Paul is getting to the heart of his letter to the Galatians. They were being taught by Pharisaical Christians that, having received Christ, they now needed to follow the Law. This is a proposition that Paul soundly rejects.

We are told in Ephesians, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." [Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB]
 
We are taught in most churches that we can come to Christ just as we are. We don't need to get cleaned up first. We don't need to make ourselves righteous or holy (as indeed we can't). Jesus loved us enough to die a horrible and painful death on the cross to pay the price of our sins, and He saves us by His grace.

But after we have been saved, why do so many churches - like the Galatians - add on rules and rituals that we are supposed to live by. Having received the Spirit of God by faith, we cannot grow in the Spirit by any work of the flesh, but only by faith.

The lesson of Romans 7 is that it is impossible to follow the Law, or to gain righteousness by following the law. If you say, "I don't follow the Law of Moses" but you have made your own rules for how to live righteously before God, then you have created your own Law, and are bound by it. If you agree to follow the rules set down by a church, then that church has place you under its own Law, and again, you are bound by it.

As we are told in today's passage, "For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them." You bring a curse upon yourself if you try to live according to rules, because it is impossible to live by them. But Jesus died so you can be free from that curse.

To live righteously before God, you need to throw out the rule book. Some may ask, "Does that mean there's no such thing as right and wrong? Can I do anything that comes to mind without sinning if there are no rules?" Not at all!

Stop living by the rules and start living by faith in Jesus. The Spirit of the Christ is within you. Trust Him to lead you. He will never lead you into sin, but will cause you to grow in faith and righteousness.

If there is a particular sin that plagues you, such as gambling, lying, drunkenness, pornography, or whatever, the only path to true freedom from that sin is through faith. Abandon the law in your heart that says, "don't do this". You know from experience that the flesh keeps coming back to it in defiance of your own law. Stop working so hard to not sin. Any attempt on your part to not sin is itself and act of the flesh, and only strengthens your flesh to sin more.

When temptation comes, instead of trying to resist, turn your mind toward Jesus, and place your trust in the Holy Spirit who lives within you. He will show you a better way, and lead you into righteousness, as we are told, "the righteous man shall live by faith."

Galatians 2:11-21 Dead to the Law

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision....But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?...nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified....For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

Paul condemns the hypocrisy of Peter (Cephas) and the legalism of James as further evidence that these apostles had nothing to add to the Gospel message he received from Jesus. I think it's worth noting that both James and Peter in their epistles teach a doctrine of righteousness by faith. Even James, who places more emphasis on works makes it clear that works are not a condition of salvation, but a result. He encourages his readers to look "intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty." [James 1:25 NASB]

This is important because it points out that anyone, regardless of reputation, can be in error. Honor your leaders. Learn from your teachers. But always judge what they say by the Word of God. And never let anyone persuade you to live according to their standards. "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." [Philippians 2:12-13 NASB]

The point of contention in this encounter is whether Christians should have to follow the Law of Moses. Remarkably, this is still a debate in many churches. We grow up in the church being taught that we need to keep the ten commandments. Yet, the ten commandments are the foundation of the Mosaic Law. All of the other commandments and rituals are built on this foundation. A prominent pastor was recently condemned by a large number of Christian leaders for saying that Christians do not have to keep the Old Testament Law.

What did Paul say about the Law? "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God." Romans 7:1-4 says, "Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God."

Having died to the Law, we can accept the reality that "the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

This principle has even broader applications. Any set of religious rules becomes a law. It doesn't matter if these rules are imposed by the church or by yourself. Any rules that you follow in an effort to please God are of the flesh and are counter to faith. That includes anything you do or don't do "for religious reasons".

Any effort on our part to be righteous negates the grace of God. "If righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

Galatians 1:11-2:10 The Revelation of the Gospel

For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ...But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.  Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother...Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also...But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.

We can read about the conversion of the apostle Paul in Acts 9. He was on his way to Damascus to arrest and imprison Christians, when a bright light shone around him. He heard a voice say, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"  And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said,  "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. [Acts 9:4-5]. Blinded by the encounter, he was led into Damascus, where he waited three days before God sent Ananias to pray for him and heal his blindness. "and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”" [Acts 9:20 NASB]

We are told in Galatians 1:16-17, "I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus."

This isn't a contradiction. The word "immediately" is relative. It can mean "this very instant" or "in a relatively short amount of time".

Although it is not related in the book of Acts, it would appear that after his conversion, Paul initially went into the desert. By mentioning it in this context, he is implying that it was during this time that he  received the the Gospel through "a revelation of Jesus Christ".

Paul clearly states in Galatians 1:11-12 that he did not learn the Gospel from any man, but was taught directly by Jesus Himself in a vision. The Gospel that Paul preaches is the Gospel according to Jesus.

We are not told how long he stayed in the wilderness, but I don't think it was very long, because he returned to Damascus and began preaching the Gospel of Christ. It was quick enough that Luke described it in the book of Acts as "immediate".

He stayed in Damascus and preached for three years before going to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26). The revelation of the Gospel that Paul received was complete. The apostles in Jerusalem - those who walked with Jesus - couldn't add anything to his message.

This is the Gospel that Paul is defending against false teachers.

As we read Paul's defense of the Gospel, let's keep in mind that what he teaches is not just one person's opinion. It is the truth that Jesus communicated directly to Paul.

Galatians 1:6-9 False Teaching

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

Through the ages, the pure message of the Gospel has been contorted and perverted to serve the purposes of false teachers.

In Galatia, there were Jewish Christians teaching that they must follow the law in order to be saved. Oddly enough, in spite of Paul's scathing denunciation of legalism in the book of Galatians, some form of legalism has persisted in the church.

Strict adherence to church rules has become mandatory for membership in many churches, performing penance for forgiveness of sins - contrary to the grace of God. Adopting a moral code based on the prejudices of a prominent church leader.

Bizarrely, some modern churches have a strict form of legalism in their rituals, then endorse outright sexual perversion in the pulpits. They are those of whom Jesus said, “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" [Matthew 23:24 NASB]

Cults and false religions have been founded over the years, almost always by a single "prophet" who has received a fresh revelation apart from the Scriptures. Or if they don't claim an extra-biblical revelation, they re-translate the Bible to say what they need it to say to uphold their claims.

Be warned. If you follow a religion or ministry built on the personality of its leader instead of the message of the Gospel of Christ, you will be following your blind guide right off the edge of a cliff.

The message of the Gospel is simple. Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins. On the third day He rose again. He was seen by many witnesses for 40 days, and then ascended to be with God the Father, where He lives today. One day, He will return to establish His kingdom on earth.

The word "gospel" means "good news". The good news for us is that Jesus paid all the penance for all of our sins, and, by His grace, freely offers salvation to anyone who will believe.

Anyone who preaches a "gospel" contrary to what is in the Bible is cursed by God. Do not follow them. Any preacher who never preaches the Gospel, but builds a ministry around a message of prosperity or social responsibility is to be suspect. These messages often have the appearance of wisdom, but deny the power of Christ.

This is why it is so important to read and study the Bible. Let the word of God be an armor for your mind. When you hear teaching that is contrary to scripture, you should recognize it for what it is, and reject it. If you are unsure, then go back to the Bible and study the matter. With modern Bible apps and online tools, word and subject studies are easier than ever before.

I pray that the Spirit of God will guide us all into all truth.

Galatians 1:1-5 Rescued

Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

In writing to the Galatians, Paul is addressing a specific heresy that is being taught in the region. Jewish Christian evangelists who still follow the law of Moses were teaching that Christians everywhere needed to follow the law. Not only the Jews, but also that the Gentiles couldn't become Christians without converting to Judaism and being circumcised.

They also attacked the authority of the Apostle Paul in order to strengthen their position.

Paul begins Galatians by addressing these issues, even in his greeting, when he makes it clear that he was not sent by men, but "but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead".

Again, Paul uses his greeting to set the stage for his forthcoming arguments. He calls on the name of Jesus, "who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age".

Let's make this clear. Jesus didn't "receive our good works". He didn't "accept our adherence to the law". He didn't give us a set of rules. He gave Himself for our sins. To say anything else cheapens the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.

"...So that He might rescue us from this present evil age." We need to be rescued from evil. Jesus taught that Satan has authority in this world. "“I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;" [John 14:30 NASB]

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan claimed authority over all the kingdoms of the earth, and offered to give them to Jesus. Jesus did not refute him, but said, "Go, Satan! For it is written, ' you shall worship the  Lord your  God , and  serve  him only .'" [Matthew 4:10]. 

Paul makes it clear that before we were Christians, we were subjects of Satan. "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience." [Ephesians 2:1-2 NASB].

For a time, Satan has authority in this world, and all who are not in Christ under his authority, and need to be rescued by Jesus.

When we are born again, we receive the Spirit of God within ourselves, and are no longer subject to this world. "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household," [Ephesians 2:19 NASB]

We have been rescued from this world, and are now citizens of the Kingdom of God, and we are subject to God's authority, and are recipients of His grace and peace.