Sorry for the late posting today. I had an appointment to see the doctor...a knee specialist to be exact. I've had some concerns for a while and thought it was time to get a professional opinion. No answers yet, but hopefully after an MRI later this week we'll be able to make some decisions.
This is actually a perfect time to bring up the subject I left you with on Friday. What Paul has been doing for the Galatian church is nothing short of diagnosing a problem and prescribing a cure. The problem: Legalists were trying to destroy the freedom of the early church by imposing Jewish Law. The prescription: Christ alone!
It's in this letter that we find to most curious phrase "fallen from grace." I asked each of you to consider what Paul was saying to the early church. Does "falling from grace" mean that we LOSE our salvation? I shared this with the church on Sunday, however, I want to jump right into it again today for all the blog readers out there.
1st of all I want you to notice to whom Paul is speaking. He is addressing the churches in Galatia. He takes ample time to lay the foundation for salvation by grace through faith alone. He even goes on to tell these Gentile believers that they have been adopted into the family of God and are "heirs" to the promises of Abraham. Since this is true of every believer in Christ he moves on to the necessity of standing firm in the liberty that Christ have given them. As for those who have "fallen from grace" I want you to hear his words again.
"You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." Galatians 5:4
I want to assure each and everyone of you that Paul is speaking to Gentile Believers. These are folks who have already put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. If we (as believers) seek to live by the law we are living in direct contrast to the Savior. Basically, Paul has told the Galatian believers that if they seek to be justified by the law then they have fallen from the sphere of grace and entered into the duty of being made right with God by their efforts. Jesus is made of no effect in our lives if we seek to live this way.
"For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by FAITH." Galatians 5:5
Righteousness is not something to be attained. It is something that is given to us by faith.
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." Galatians 5:6
Notice these words! Even if we performed the duties of the law it matters nothing compared to Christ. Faith is the vehicle that God uses to make us right with Himself. Later on, Paul told the Ephesians that it is by Grace that we are saved...through FAITH...and that it is a GIFT from God.
To fall from grace doesn't mean we have LOST salvation. What we have lost is our understanding of the grace of God in our lives. Instead of enjoying the benefits of grace we place ourselves under the yoke of legalism which leads to bondage.
Take courage in these words. Christ + nothing = salvation. Christ + nothing = right standing with God. Christ + nothing = all I need to live the life of a Christian. And just in case you have a hard time understanding how a believer should live in light of what Paul teaches he gives another prescription: WALK IN THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:16).
May you enjoy walking in the Spirit this week.
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