Galatians

The Final Word

The book of Galatians is a powerful treatise on the sufficiency of God’s grace to save us apart from the externals of law-keeping. Attempting to keep the law as the way to salvation or even as the means for growing in Christ ends in failure and bondage. Freedom is...

Relationships, Sowing, and Reaping

God's Spirit gives new life to His people so that we can live like we have new life. This new life only properly functions in community with other people. When we walk in selfless community by God's Spirit, we experience the benefits of new life in Him. Discussion...

The Key to Freedom

To this point in Galatians, Paul has done much in the way of explaining the freedom available in the gospel and the condemnation present in the Law. But how do we get that freedom, especially those of us who don’t feel so “free?" What is it that we need to do in order...

For Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. These are some of the most powerful and important words of the New Testament. The Grace of God through Jesus Christ sets us free to live in fellowship with God and with others. If only it were that simple. The book of...

Moving Forward Not Backwards

Believing in Jesus for your salvation means you’re adopted by God and headed to heaven. But becoming a Christian won’t help you change and grow unless you’re cooperating with God’s Spirit in your life. You’re either moving forward or sliding backwards. Spiritual...

From Slaves to Heirs

Through faith alone in Christ alone we’re transformed from slaves to heirs—heirs of God! God places the believer into the body of Christ. And in that moment, we put on Christ. That’s a profound, new reality. The only alternative to a life without Christ is bondage to...

The Law and The Gospel

God has a covenant relationship with His people, and He always keeps His promises, no matter what our shortcomings may be. In fact, even our best efforts don't get us into right relationship with God. We only have right relationship with Him because of Jesus. The Law...

Bewitched and Foolish

Sometimes clarifying the gospel requires stern language. Confusion about the nature of salvation and walking with God is a serious matter. That’s why Paul addresses the Galatian Christians as “bewitched” and “foolish.” It’s like a spell was cast over them. Their...

Called Out

As we continue our look at Galatians we find Paul and Peter in the midst of an awkward situation at the Antioch church supper. The way in which Paul addressed the situation will highlight not only the need for Jesus in our lives, but also the futility of rule keeping...

United Around the Gospel

It’s not always easy to get Christians to agree on things. This is true even when it comes to how you get salvation. Many insist on adding works to faith. The early church faced this controversy head-on. The gospel that Paul preached was given to him directly from...

Directly from God

Grace leaves itself open to misunderstanding, even abuse. But God wants us to experience the life-changing power of His grace. Paul did. He experienced God’s grace when he embraced the gospel given to him by direct revelation from Jesus. Now this persecutor of...

No Other Gospel

 The grace of God through Jesus and nothing else. That is the good news of our salvation. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are made right with God and set free from the slavery of sin and death. But good news is often hard to believe – it can sound too good...