explore_615_60903

Posted: 6/06/03
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for June 15

Salvation is the result of God's grace, not works

Galatians 3:1-14

By Jim Perkins

Madison Hills Baptist Church, San Antonio

There is a beautiful spring in Landa Park in New Braunfels that flows with thousands and thousands of gallons of clean, fresh water from the Edwards Aquifer daily. Lest we forget the correct order, though, the water observed flowing down the creek does not produce the spring. Its source of life is the reservoir of water deep within the hills above.

Receiving the Spirit

Paul again addressed the folly of the Galatians accepting a “Jesus plus” gospel–that is, Jesus plus anything else added as a necessity to produce salvation (be it circumcision or any good works). Good works naturally flow from a real relationship with Jesus, as water naturally flows from a spring. That order, however, must not and cannot be reversed!

The Galatians had acted in a “foolish” manner when they allowed someone (probably the Judaizers) to “bewitch” them into accepting a modified gospel (3:1). Paul used strong, vivid language in verse 1 to describe the current situation in Galatia. The apostle who earlier had addressed these Galatian friends as “brothers” (1:11) now was forced to describe them as “foolish.” Some have translated this word as “idiotic,” but perhaps it is more accurately described as “slow of spiritual discernment” (compare Luke 24:25). On the other hand, those who had introduced a perverted gospel to the Galatians were guilty of “bewitching” them, that is, casting a spell over them for evil purposes.

Paul reminded the Galatians, however, of this foundational truth: They had received justification (2:16) and the gift of the Spirit by believing what they had heard (3:2, 5)–that is, by a personal trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Observation of the law or any other legal works would not add to or complete their salvation. The obvious and real presence of the Spirit and the mighty works of God in their midst were already theirs through believing the gospel message (3:5).

Remembering Abraham

In a statement designed to connect the faith of Abraham to the salvation experience of the Galatians, Paul challenged them to “consider” (3:5, literally “just as,” which connects this verse to the preceding passage) the faith experience of the patriarch Abraham. Contrary to the teaching of the time, which most likely was headlined by the Judaizers, Paul insisted Abraham was made righteous before God through faith, not acts of obedience.

Paul traced his salvation history back to Abraham by appealing to a passage in Genesis 15:6: “Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” This passage predated the obedience displayed by Abraham in circumcision (Genesis 17) and his obedience in testing (Genesis 22). Paul argued persuasively, then, that just as the Galatians believed the gospel message and as a result were justified and given the gift of the Spirit, so also Abraham believed God and was made righteous before him–and that was not through the performance of certain deeds.

This message of salvation has not changed–it was the same for Abraham and the Galatians as it is for each of us. Salvation always has and always will be through a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior; salvation will never occur because of a “Jesus plus” gospel.

Relying on Jesus

Persuasion was vital here, so Paul continued to present his concise and accurate presentation of the gospel in 3:10-14. Two truths are presented again–not just for emphasis, but because they are central and absolutely necessary.

First, “no one is justified before God by the law” (3:11)–it simply will not happen. Paul had stated this gospel message truth previously in 2:16, and now he repeated it with renewed vigor. His conviction is based on the fact that no one attempting to live according to the law has ever lived in perfect obedience to every requirement. As a natural result, all those who choose and then fail at this legal works method of salvation will experience the curse due “everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law” (3:10; see Deuteronomy 27:26).

The second truth vital to Paul's argument is repeated again at the end of this passage. Its content is the simple affirmation that “by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit” (3:14), which Paul indicated to the Ephesian Christians was the “deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession” (Ephesians 1:14).

Again, this message and method of salvation have not changed through the millennia. The same trust in Christ as personal Savior brings the same promise of eternal life today. The Bible study pages of the Baptist Standard always include an explanation of how any person can become a Christian. Please read it closely and accept it joyfully–this gospel brings life eternal!

Questions for discussion

From this passage provide a summary statement of both Paul's concern for the adulteration or perversion of the gospel, and also the substance behind the phrase, “truth of the gospel.”

Today do we still gravitate toward a “Jesus plus good works” gospel? How is that alteration of the gospel usually phrased? Is it tempting or does it appear logical? How can this perversion of the gospel be avoided?