COME BACK TO THE GRACE PLACE – Galatians 1
Today I’m starting a study through the Book of Galatians. Some may wonder why Galatians? For one, the last time I taught through this book was in 2006- 07, some thirteen years ago. Secondly, I believe, given the status of the church today, the book of Galatians is a timely message. Today biblical revisionism threatens to rob the church of the simplicity of the gospel message. Paul warned: (2 Corinthians 11:3) But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Today political correctness, religious orthodoxy, socialism, and legalism have, in a subliminal way, rendered the grace of God inadequate within the church. One must conform in order to truly be righteous. There seems to be an unhealthy interest, within the church, with what divides us, rather than what unites us. The Book of Galatians takes us back to the very source of our eternal confidence and justification in God.
Why is this important? Because over time we, as believers, tend to start measuring our relationship with God by what we can do for Him, rather than by what God has already done for us! Such a mentality of unbelief can give rise to a spirit of depression and spiritual oppression in our lives. We start acting like victims, rather than victors, being convinced that God’s favor and love are based upon our performance, rather than grace!
(Hebrews 13:8-9) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. A heart established by
produces a victorious life, whereby one is able to overcome the lies of the devil, through the overflowing grace of God! Thus, the reason for Paul’s great concern for the churches of Galatia. They had abandoned the only real source of victory over the evil one, God’s grace, by returning to the law, a legalistic form of religion. They had forgotten Christ had fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17), thus becoming the standard of righteousness for all who place their trust in Him!
Galatia was a province, which included such ancient cities as Galatian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. These cities were located in the southern region of Galatia, which today is southern Turkey. Paul founded the churches in these cities on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:4-14:26) A.D. 46–48. The churches were primarily made up of Gentile believers. The letter to the Galatians was probably written around A.D. 49/50.
(v.1-3) Paul presents his
“Grace to you and peace!” You cannot have one without the other. But note: grace always precedes peace! We cannot have true peace apart from God’s grace! And we have grace because Jesus “gave Himself for our sins.” Notice: grace is what distinguishes the church from the world; it is not license to be like the world. To receive the grace of God apart from being transformed is
to merely be religious – having a form of godliness without power and without salvation! God grants us grace to deliver us from this evil age, according to His will and for His glory!
(v.6-10) Paul marvels (is amazed) by how quickly they have abandoned God’s grace! Exchanging God’s grace, unmerited favor, which is unearned/undeserved, for garbage – that which is not good news (v.7a). They weren’t necessarily returning to a lifestyle of sin but had started placing their confidence in religious reform! We see the same happening today. Religious conformity is not the path to revival! True revival occurs when there is a fresh awakening to the grace of Christ! Andrea Crouch used to sing a song, “Take Me Back”; Paul is calling the church back to the “grace place!”
In their midst were those who troubled them, by establishing another gospel, a new standard of
The mandate of the church must always be Christ, and not the issues of the day! Understanding that, as a result of our passionate pursuit of Him, the Holy Spirit produces righteous acts. But the acts should never become a substitute for the righteousness of Christ, or the basis upon which our unity rests! His love is our “bond of perfection,” according to grace!
Paul doesn’t mince words but charges these troublers with perverting the gospel. Pervert: metastrepho – to turn across, transmute (to change in form, nature, or substance). “Transmute” – they were muting the message
of the gospel. That’s exactly what the church does when we exalt religion (conformity) above a relationship with God! We are in effect modifying God’s only acceptable standard of righteousness, the finished work of the cross! Thus, Paul declared (v.8, 9). Beware of the gospel of UFOs, latter day revelations, etc., which contradict the grace of God!
(v.10) Paul makes it clear, “I’m not here to appease men; I’m a bondservant of Christ!” Bondservant: doulos – slave, subjected/subservient; one who gives himself up for another’s will. Jesus said: (John 4:34) “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” Until this is our goal we will continue to be miserable servants of men and the flesh, rather than God!
The Lord also warned: (Matthew 7:21) “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” We can know whether or not we are acting as bondservants in two ways: 1) When it comes to obedience to Christ. 2) When people treat you like one! Are we easily offended when treated like a servant of Christ? Remember: it was our Lord who came to wash feet and made Himself of “no reputation!” Bondservant/Bond-selfish.
(v.11-17) Paul, by reminding them of his calling as an “apostle of Christ,” further magnifies the grace of God. It surely wasn’t his love for the church or his self-righteousness, by which God to called him, but grace alone! So it is with us. The song “Amazing Grace” says it well: “T’was grace that brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.” Divine providence, according to God’s grace, placed Paul in the ministry! (v.12) It’s through the revelation of Christ that we find our true purpose in life!
Notice when God called him: not after he proved himself, but from his mother’s womb, by grace! He had absolutely nothing to do with it! Thus, it is ludicrous for us to think we have anything to do with God’s
Another thought: It’s no wonder that the devil hates the womb so; for from it He calls His servants! Question: How many Charles Spurgeons, Billy Grahams, and Martin Luther King Jr.s, or potential great world leaders, or scientists who could have cured cancer and other diseases, has the 1973 Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision aborted? Yet God, who is sovereign, even over the wicked acts of men, will prevail in the end! (Isaiah 43:13) “Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?”
(v.18-24) Paul continues his discourse regarding the grace of God in his life. Lesson: Never underestimate the transformative power of God’s grace! That rebellious child, wayward spouse, felon, etc., is never beyond the grace of God! They say, “hater’s will always hate,” which is true – until they encounter God’s grace! Paul was a hater and God made him a lover, for His divine purpose and glory! (v.24).
CONCLUSION: Let your heart be
Memorial Day – a time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. For the church, the cross stands as our everlasting memorial of God’s grace, the sign of His ultimate sacrifice for our eternal liberation! Homework: Psalm 31 – a Psalm of Grace. Are you in the “grace place?”