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 observing the law, or by believing what you
heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying
to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if
it really was for nothing? Does God give
you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because
you believe what you heard?
Galatians 3:10-12; All who rely on observing The laws are
under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to
do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified
before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is
not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live
by them.”
Definition of Legalized Christianity: Christians are those who live by a long list
of “don’ts.” God’s favor is earned by
good behavior. To be a Christian we must
keep and obey all of God’s commands.
What good can come from a Legalized Christianity? It recognizes that real change will result in
changes in behavior. The concern of
Legalized Christianity is that people live a life that is pure and holy. It also allows us to see the need for Christ.
What dangers can come from a Legalized Christianity? It can reduce Christianity to a set of
impossible rules that people can never hope to live up to or achieve. It as reduces what Christ did on the cross as
useless and God’s love as something we must earn. It can also damage hope.
Galatians 3:19-23; What, then, was the purpose of the law?
It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise
referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A
mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. Is the
law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law
had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have
come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner
of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ,
might be given to those who believe.
Lawless Christianity
Galatians 5:13-15; You, my brothers, were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature rather, serve one
another in love. The entire law is
summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on
biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each
other.
Galatians 5:19-23; The acts of the sinful nature are
obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft;
hatred, discord, jealousy, fits 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. But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Definition of Lawless Christianity: Christians live outside of the law. God’s word is not as important as our
personal relationship and guidance from God.
A Christian is focused on God’s love and God wants to forgive us. God’s love is not earned and his forgiveness
is a gift from Christ’s death.
What good can come from a Lawless Christianity? It recognizes that God’s love and forgiveness
can’t be earned. We can’t be perfect, so
we must put our faith in Christ’s.
What dangers can come from a Lawless Christianity? We can never grow in our faith if we don’t
follow God’s commands. His commands,
rules, and laws are meant to be guidelines for a better life. It also leads to a faith that about what “I”
want and not what God wants for me.
Galatians 6:7-10; Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from
that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from
the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for
at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as
we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who
belong to the family of believers.
True Christianity
Definition of True Christianity: Christians are those who believe inwardly and
outwardly that Jesus’ death has allowed God to offer them forgiveness and
eternal life as a gift. They have
accepted that gift through faith and are seeking to live a life of obedient
gratitude for what God has done for them.
Paul’s Advice:
Galatians 6:14-16; May I never boast except in the cross of
our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I
to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what
counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to
the Israel of God.
