Background |
| Paul wrote this letter to the Church in Galatia because there were people who were confusing the church with false teachings. They were teaching that circumcision is a requirement for salvation. In effect, saying that observance of the Law is the way to salvation. Paul wrote this letter to straighten this issue. |
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Summary |
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There is only one gospel and it is the truth. To change it is condemnable. It cannot change, will not change and should not be changed just because people cannot accept what it says.
And this is the gospel: Jesus, the Son of God became man so that he can die and save us. Jesus therefore is the only one who can save us and in fact has saved us. If we believe that only Jesus can do this, then our actions will show this. We will be more concerned with the Father's will. And centering our actions on the Father's will is living in Christ and Christ living in us.
So if we believe that our salvation comes from Jesus - this belief should move us to follow Jesus and not blindly follow the law. The law by itself cannot save. Obeying the laws cannot save because only Jesus can save.
If we obey the will of the Father, this is living in the Spirit for now, we do things out of love of God and not out of fear of the punishment for breaking the law. This then is living in the Spirit. And if we live in the Spirit, the Spirit gives us confidence to call God 'Father'. This confidence is not based on what we have done but is based on the merits of Jesus and on what he did for us.
Strict observance of the Law is of no consequence. What matters is how we express our faith in love. The proof of our life in the Spirit is the fruits. If we profess faith in Jesus but are still living in sin, then these are not the fruit of the Spirit. Our faith should produce fruit that proves that we are indeed living in the Spirit. The fruit however takes time. God is the sower, the farmer and he is the one who makes things grow. He decides on how we are to bear fruit. And as long as the fruit is showing, then we are living in the Spirit.
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Key Verses |
| These key verses are guides that I think will help you focus more on the theme within the chapter. Since the Word of God is active and alive, you may find a different verse as the key verse within the chapter. This is fine with me and makes me very happy because it proves that you are really reading and understanding the word of God. |
1:9 |
If anyone is preaching a gospel other than the one you received - let him be condemned. |
2:19-20 |
Through the law - I died to the law so that I might live for God
I have been crucified with Christ
I no longer live - but Christ lives in me.
The life I live in the body - I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me |
3:25 |
Now that faith has come we are no longer under the supervision of the Law. You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ |
4:6-7 |
Because you are sons - God set the Spirit of his Son into our hearts - the Spirit who calls out 'Abba, Father' so that you are no longer a slave but a son. Since you are sones, God has made you also an heir. |
5:6 |
In Christ Jesus - neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith exressing itself through love. |
6:7 |
The one who sows to please his sinful nature from that nature will reap destruction
The one who sows to please the Spirit from that Spirit will reap eternal life. |
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| 4 Mar 1999 |