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Paul wanted to stir the Galatians with his rallying cry of freedom in Christ (v. 1). Now he follows up with a warning to explain why a shift toward law-keeping is so dangerous (vv. 2–4). ‘Mark my words!’ is like writing ‘Don’t miss this!’ – he wants their attention at this key point in his letter.
Why must they stand firm against this law teaching? Because if they choose to accept circumcision as the entry point into a supposedly righteous and godly lifestyle, then there are two consequences that automatically follow. First, Christ is of no value to them (v. 2). Second, they would be obligated to obey the whole law (v. 3).
Christ is such a complete Saviour. He is God’s beloved Son and the promised deliverer who was born under the law to pay the price and set us free. He is the one who loved us and gave Himself for us, who became a curse for us. He is the way that we can now receive the promised Spirit so that from our hearts we cry ‘Abba!’ to the Father as sons alongside the Son. Because of Jesus, we can have fellowship with the Trinity, which is to truly live!
The alternative is to remain in the false life of self-focused effort and performance. As far as Paul is concerned, the gospel declares a divine ‘No!’ to anything less than a 100 per cent Jesus gospel. The moment we add any element of law-keeping to our salvation package, we lose Jesus. He is a complete Saviour and we cannot make Him play the part of partial saviour.
Furthermore, not only is Christ all or nothing, so too is the law all or nothing. The Bible does not divide the law into different categories. Paul is clear – put yourself under a bit of the law and you have to keep it all!
In verse 4 Paul is not opening up a debate about whether we can lose our salvation or not. He is trying to shock the Galatians and wake them up. He wants them to see that they cannot live in the gospel and then add the law back in. They should stick with what God has given them in Christ.
Reflection
What is your default ‘Christ : self’ ratio when you think about your salvation and living the Christian life? Does 100% : 0% feel uncomfortable? Why?
Scripture
About this Plan
Paul wrote the book of Galatians to Christians who were tempted to add good works to the gospel. Although we might not want to admit it, adding to the gospel is a great temptation for us too. So be encouraged as Peter Mead takes us through these devotions, be reminded that Christ is everything, and that the gospel is all we need for our lives now in Jesus.
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