When the apostle Paul wrote his epistle to the Galatian Church, we see a very angry Paul. He said things that would get our accounts deleted on BB, and he said them by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Of course that doesn't mean we have the permission to say these things to one another.
His letter was in response to news he had received about the Church. He begins to address them in 1:6,
Gal. 1:6-7
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
Some of the Messianic Jews probably from the Church in Jerusalem, had told the Galatians they must also be circumcised with the circumcision of Abraham in order to be saved. It seems the Galatians took this false doctrine hook, line, and sinker.
He tells them in 3:2,
"This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" In 3:1 he tells them they are foolish and have been bewitched. In 5:12 he wishes these false prophets would be cut off from the land, and in 1:8 he says,
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
Paul is saying to let these false prophets be eternally damned for preaching a false Gospel.
In 5:4 we find out why Paul is so upset.
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."
These Galatians through adding circumcision to their faith in the finished work of Christ have lost their salvation!
Remember when Paul said in Rom. 11:6?
"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
Grace has been forfeited and cancelled out through adding works to the requirement of salvation! Leaving them apart from the Grace of God and under the curse of the Law.
My point of this thread is that adding anything, including any man-made law to faith in Christ has cancelled the Grace of God and place you under the curse of the Law. The Law is a curse in that man cannot keep the Law no matter how hard he tries. Paul told us that the Law brings forth death, a spiritual death being separated from God for eternity.
What are some of these man-made laws that we add to our faith and cancels out Grace?
There was nothing wrong in itself of circumcision, even for a Gentile.
Paul was training Timothy for the ministry, his mother was a Jew and his father a Greek. Paul took and circumcised Timothy so that he would be more accepted by the Jews and he could reach them with the Gospel. Nothing wrong with that at all, BUT, when man makes his Law of something, anything, that must be added to faith in Christ for salvation, he has cancelled Grace and is at the mercy of the Law, whether the Law of Moses or a man-made law of his making.
Is there a law you have created, maybe it's a good thing, but you have placed it as a requirement for salvation? I urge you to search your heart and confirm to yourself and the Lord God that your faith is in Him alone for His Grace that brings salvation.
His letter was in response to news he had received about the Church. He begins to address them in 1:6,
Gal. 1:6-7
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
Some of the Messianic Jews probably from the Church in Jerusalem, had told the Galatians they must also be circumcised with the circumcision of Abraham in order to be saved. It seems the Galatians took this false doctrine hook, line, and sinker.
He tells them in 3:2,
"This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" In 3:1 he tells them they are foolish and have been bewitched. In 5:12 he wishes these false prophets would be cut off from the land, and in 1:8 he says,
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
Paul is saying to let these false prophets be eternally damned for preaching a false Gospel.
In 5:4 we find out why Paul is so upset.
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."
These Galatians through adding circumcision to their faith in the finished work of Christ have lost their salvation!
Remember when Paul said in Rom. 11:6?
"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
Grace has been forfeited and cancelled out through adding works to the requirement of salvation! Leaving them apart from the Grace of God and under the curse of the Law.
My point of this thread is that adding anything, including any man-made law to faith in Christ has cancelled the Grace of God and place you under the curse of the Law. The Law is a curse in that man cannot keep the Law no matter how hard he tries. Paul told us that the Law brings forth death, a spiritual death being separated from God for eternity.
What are some of these man-made laws that we add to our faith and cancels out Grace?
There was nothing wrong in itself of circumcision, even for a Gentile.
Paul was training Timothy for the ministry, his mother was a Jew and his father a Greek. Paul took and circumcised Timothy so that he would be more accepted by the Jews and he could reach them with the Gospel. Nothing wrong with that at all, BUT, when man makes his Law of something, anything, that must be added to faith in Christ for salvation, he has cancelled Grace and is at the mercy of the Law, whether the Law of Moses or a man-made law of his making.
Is there a law you have created, maybe it's a good thing, but you have placed it as a requirement for salvation? I urge you to search your heart and confirm to yourself and the Lord God that your faith is in Him alone for His Grace that brings salvation.
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