The Christians that comprised the churches in the area of Galatia were struggling with
an issue that continues to plague Christians today. Simply put, after being redeemed by Christ
and saved by Faith, they were placing themselves under the Law. I understand that the
Galation's were being influenced by Judaizers who falsely believed, and taught, that Gentiles

who accepted Christ had to also become Jews and follow the law. This resulted in a hybrid
faith that was actually little, if any, faith at all. Adding anything to faith in Jesus Christ corrupts
the Gospel.
Paul wrote to the Galatians to correct their error, to protect their faith, and to strengthen
their faith in Jesus Christ alone. He wrote that he feared for them, and he wrote that he }oved
them. The letter that Paul wrote has been referred to as the Magna Carta of the Christian faith,
the basis from which much of which was to follow was built upon.
I choose to 'boil it down 'with a few statements:
-We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone. It was, and is, impossible to be saved by the law.
We were sinners and as Christians we are sinners saved by Grace.
-As Christians, sinners saved by grace, it is still impossible to satisfy the Iaw, and as Christians,
unnecessary. We ARE saved.
-The ONLY way we 'stay' saved is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. I couldn't live qood
enough to get saved and I can't live good enough to stay saved.
-Christians don't live under the law, we have a higher standard. We also have a greater power to
enable us to strive to be more and more like Jesus every day-and that is our goal.
-As Christians we have received, and indeed been filled, with The Holy Spirit of God. He is our
Guide, our Strength, our Example, our Teacher. He leads us from 'having' to do or be
something (the law), to wanting to be like Christ-and gives us not only the desire to live that
life, but also the ability (faith). He also showers us with grace when we fail, rather than the
guilt that plagues us from the law.
Many people who come to Christ through faith today, get pulled by the enemy into the
trap of the law. Baptists used to be known as the "Aginners". Many supposed that once you
were saved there was a long list of things you couldn't do things that we were against. (you
know-the law.) I prefer to say that in Christ there is a long list of things that I can now do. First
of all, I get to know Christ and call God my Father, I have a home in Heaven, I live in grace
and forgiveness instead of guilt and shame, I am filled with the Holy Spirit and I don't have to
fight my battles alone anymore. I live in victory regardless of the circumstances, and often
regardless of what is going on around me, and sometimes within me. Guilt has been replaced
with responsibility, and doubt with faith. All because of Jesus.
As Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ
has made us free. and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."
Don't let the enemy steal your hope, your joy, your grace, and/or your journey with
Christ. (And yes, we will talk about Galatians 5:4 next week.) Gal 6:l-8, "Brethren, the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." 

                   Bro. Tom and Sister Sue