Paul hits, once again, keeping the law versus having faith in Jesus Christ in Galatians 5:1-6. I found his words in verse 6 powerful. They seemed to jump off the page at me. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision or uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love."
Based on all the passages we've read this week dealing with faith and works, how would you explain to someone their need for faith in Christ? What would you tell them about works? Tami
Reading Romans 3 took me back to my attorney, practicing law days. Let me explain. The way Paul lays out Romans, it's not the easiest read. But all the detail we need is there laid out very logically.
What Paul is doing is explaining how Christ's death and resurrection has changed things spiritually speaking. We no longer live under the law of works but are now under grace and the law of faith. That's a huge change that requires a complete shift in thinking for the Jews. "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law" (vs. 28). Paul then explains how the law doesn't go away or become meaningless because of what Jesus did. "Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law" (vs. 31). So bottom line--our salvation isn't a result of our keeping the law. However, the law is still there for us to follow and uphold.
What did Paul and Romans 3 show you about how faith and the law work together? Did you find this passage motivating regarding keeping the law and doing good works? Why or why not? Tami
P.S. If you want to take a more in-depth look at faith and the Gospel, check out today's Back to the Bible program with guest speaker John Munro.
The first two chapters of Galatians really turned my thinking to people who don't yet know Christ as Savior. So many times when I'm talking with someone and bring up eternity and Jesus one of the first things they say back is "Well, I'm a good person." That statement is an indicator that this person thinks that what they do and how they live (their "works") is how they're getting into heaven.
But God's plan of salvation has nothing to do with our works and everything to do with placing our faith in Jesus. Paul spells this out in Galatians 2:16, "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." And if you flip a few pages in your Bible to Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul also says this, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
So who do you know that is operating under the false belief that being a good person and doing the right things is going to get them into heaven? Would you be bold and use Galatians 2:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9 to introduce them to the true gospel? You could change where they spend eternity. Tami
Paul doesn't hold back one bit as he writes to the churches in Galatia admonishing them because they have not held firm to the one true gospel--faith in Jesus Christ, period. Twice Paul states, let anyone who is preaching a gospel contrary to that of faith in Jesus Christ be accursed.
So how did Paul's words get you thinking about the gospel, specifically it's importance and how you and others are spreading it? Tami
Hi, everyone. Some of you know that I work on the P4 team, and today I'm blogging in Tami's place, so let's get right into it. This week we're camping out in Galatians where we'll be taking a closer look at Paul's passionate letter to the Galatian church. His message was prompted by people distorting the purity of the Gospel. (This is a big deal to Paul...and it should be to us as well!) Paul's bottom line is this. The Gospel is salvation by grace through faith. It's not faith plus going to church, faith plus following rules, faith plus anything. He warns the Galatians to reject and run away from anyone teaching "a gospel other than what you accepted." This is a very important reminder in our world of options and have-it-my-way Christianity.
So why do you think our world has tendency to complicate or add to the Gospel? How do we stay on guard against teachers of a false gospel? Meredith
P.S. I encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to the Back to the Bible programs this week featuring guest speaker, Dr. John Munro. His series is titled Getting the Gospel Right, and I think you'll enjoy his messages. (He has a really cool Scottish accent too!)
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