Galatians, pt. 1: Paul "sweeps the leg" on performance-based salvation

If there is a book in Scripture that seems to address some of the fatal errors that I see manifesting themselves in our religious culture, it may be Paul's letters to the Galatians. Now, I am fully aware that this is an opinion based upon my current culture, but it just seems to be fitting. A majority of my personal Bible study time is currently being spent in this book. I would like to share some things (e.g. word studies/structure/background/etc.) that I am learning & would like to hear your insights as well. 

"Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: Grace to you & peace from God our Father & the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God & Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen."  

Galatians 1:1-6 

Background

Paul was writing a group of churches in the a region known as Galatia. We are not sure when the letter was written--whether it was his first letter or written some time later (there are discrepancies between the two views). 

But, we are certain that he is writing to maintain the centrality of grace in salvation & to address a group of people who had infiltrated the church--the Judaizers. A reference to the book of Acts clarifies that "some men came down from Judea & began teaching the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved' (Acts 15:1)." In essence, the churches in Galatia were experiencing substantial growth yet there were dissenters who were making there presence known by presenting "a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you & want to distort the gospel of Christ" (1:6-7). Verse 7 says that the Judaizers were disturbing you (tarassontes [Gk]: to shake back & forth--used of political agitators who cause confusion & turmoil) & want to distort the gospel (metastrepsai [Gk]: to pervert or change from one thing to another--a political term with revolutionary action in view with the intention of complete change). These people were saying in short, "trust Christ & follow the Torah laws, rules & regulations for salvation." Questions arose such as: Do Gentile Christians need to be circumcised to be saved? Yet, Acts 15 records that the elders & apostles came together & looked into the matter. As a result, Peter stood up & said to them:

"...Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." Acts 15:6-11

Why the gospel is not legalism.

Let's face it--we too naturally gravitate towards the same problem that the Galatians encountered. There are tendencies in the church to creep in that add to the gospel of grace & undercut the foundation of salvation. For some reason, we want to perform in order to please God. Maybe this is because we have been told that in order for God to be happy with you--you must...pray a certain prayer, attend church, abstain from drink, etc. But, my friends, it is simply no different than what the Judaizers were doing in Galatia. Granted, we are not having discussions concerning circumcision, but we are adding to the gospel with our own religious mandates or even obedience to God. (We get the idea in Galatians 1:11 that Paul is asserting that the historical roots of the Christian church does not extend back to the community of the Torah covenant, but had an independent foundation confirmed by the Jerusalem church, thereby proving the legitimacy of Gentile salvation outside the covenant law. [Rogers & Rogers]) We simply cannot be convinced of the gospel--that we had (& have) nothing to do with our acceptance before God & that we are completely dependent upon Jesus. Galatians 1:4 says that the Lord Jesus Christ "gave himself for our sins." God in the person of Jesus literally delivered Himself up so that he might "rescue us" from the power of sin. God's pleasure in you is not based upon your performance before God but is based upon Jesus--His life, death, & resurrection. 

A Big Deal

Many may read this & not really understand why this is such a big deal. Well, I believe all of us war against our performance based, legalistic mentality. Yet, when compared to Jesus, who can perform at such a high level? Who can stand before God clean? Who can stand before God pure? Who among us can cast the first stone? And who can say that sin has not left them dreadfully empty-handed before God? 

My friends, the gospel is a big deal! It is our only hope before the Sovereign God. And without God awakening our souls & revealing His Son to us, we shall live without hope before God. 

Until tomorrow!