Gal 1 – Greetings, No Other Gospel, Paul Called by God
Gal 2:1-14 – Paul Accepted by the Apostles, Paul Opposes Peter
Gal 2:15-21 – Justified by Faith
Gal 3 – Faith or the Law?
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Jewish converts to Christianity were attempting to impose their traditions on all Christians, especially circumcision. The overarching theme of Galatians is this fundamental truth: it is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone that saves. No other act, however sincere, has the power to provide salvation. “Know that a person is not justified by the woks of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
With that verse as the backdrop, we read through this short letter. Paul begins with a bang: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel” (1:6). Paul speaks to them bluntly because there are those who are creating much confusion. The New International Readers Version (NIRV) puts it this way: “It seems that some people have gotten you all mixed up. They are trying to twist the good news about Christ.” (1:7 NIRV).
One of the verses that was really interesting this morning was 1:16b, “my immediate response was not to consult any human being.” It was three years after Paul’s conversion before he met with Peter (Cephas); even then, it was only for a short time, then back to the mission field (cf 1:18-24). For an incredible period of time, Paul traveled for 14 years, preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. He returned to Jerusalem and was validated by James, Peter and John (2:9).
Again in chapter 3, Paul picks up the direct approach, “You foolish Galatians!” (3:1). He continues to explain the difference between the Law and the Gospel and sums it up with this simple phrase: “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith” (3:24). “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (3:28). The profound truth is repeated consistently through Paul’s writings: Christ alone is the answer. Everything else is secondary. Lord help me to fully understand this truth and especially help me to help others come to the conclusion that faith in Christ leads us to true salvation.