Galatians – Faith or Observance of the Law

Paul wrote to the Galatians rebuking them for falling into believing that they had to earn salvation, through the meeting of the requirements of the Jewish laws. At the end of chapter 2, Paul makes a very clear statement that Justification is by faith in Christ alone, it is not by faith in Jesus plus works. In chapter 3, Paul continues to talk about justification.

We dive into Galatians 3:1-14 in this section.

Reflect on your Experience

Galatians 3:1-5 “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experiencedso much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again, I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?” 

Paul asks the Galatians five rhetorical questions, to make them reflect and think upon the error of their ways. Of how, what they were choosing to believe now, does not line up with how they came to faith, how they received the Spirit and the miracles that God worked in their midst. It was all because they placed their faith in Jesus and not a result of the observance of the law. He is urging them to think back on their experience of coming to faith and receiving the spirit. He implores them to consider what began with the spirit, do they now think that they have to sustain through the flesh (works/keeping of the law).

Philippians 1:6 says, ^“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

God always operated through Faith

Galatians 3:6-9 “So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”

The Old Testament was the text the Jews had and relied upon as their ultimate authority. Paul therefore leans heavily on it as he addresses the promise made to Abraham. The Jews considered themselves as superior, being descendants of Abraham and observing the Law. He is challenging their thinking based on the very thing they are holding onto.

Paul explains the true essence of this promise – God credited Abraham as righteous because he believed and not because he observed the Law. Abraham’s descendants were being blessed and preserved for through them the messiah would come and he would be in whom all the blessings would rest and through whom in faith we can partake in it all.

Since Abraham was made righteous by faith and not by works, Abraham was therefore the father of everyone who believes God and is accounted righteous. It was by faith that God always operated. The sons of Abraham were not only the Jews, but all who are justified by faith in Jesus. Paul points out through scripture that the plan was always for the gentiles to be included. The connection to Abraham was not the link of genetics and nor of law, but of faith.

By Faith

Galatians 3:10-14 “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

Paul, continuing to rely on scripture, then turns their attention to the faulty thinking in relying on the law by quoting Deuteronomy 27:26 “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” The people knew that they could not in perfection keep the law, how would the law then enable one to be justified. There is no grace in law. As Paul shares that one is justified only through faith in Christ, he is not contradicting what Moses or the prophets said, for in verses 10-11 he repeats Habbakuk 2:4b “But the righteous will live by his faith”

Paul continues by saying how Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse himself. Deuteronomy 21:23b “Because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” As Paul writes this, he is also addressing the stumbling block that many of the Jews had towards Jesus being the Messiah as he died on the cross, which to them meant that person was under God’s curse. Paul emphasises that it was a curse that Jesus bore for us.

The law – for the Jews – there was no need for them to live subject to them anymore as Christ fulfilled them.

The law – for the gentiles – earlier excluded them – now through Jesus that barrier is removed.

So, both the Jews and the Gentiles had access through Faith in Christ.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the gift of salvation. May our works be an outpouring of your presence in our lives and the effect of your grace in us. May we rely on your word to be our light in any and all situations. Help us to reflect and consider if there is any way of thinking or doing in our lives that is infiltrating how we should live as a redeemed child of God.

God Bless.