Day 67 - Galatians 1-6

Today begins a rather strenuous section in our reading schedule. I'm not sure who put together this schedule, but they should have thought it through a bit better. Anyway, this is the schedule we are all on, so I will abide by it and do my best! To the reader...tie and knot and hang on! These posts could get really long, but I'll try to keep them a manageable length.

The book of Galatians has the true Gospel at its heart. Paul begins with a passionate plea to stay true to the true Gospel that he had delivered to them (1:6-9). Then, he continues with a discussion detailing how this Gospel was not his idea, nor any man's for that matter, but he received this from God Himself (1:11-24). Paul then moves to defend this divinely delivered Gospel from the distortions and additions of the Judaizers. The main thrust of these false teachers was that the requirement of circumcision be added to repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ. What is shocking is that even Peter himself was affected by these Judaizers so much so that Paul had to confront Peter to get him back in line with the true Gospel (2:11). Paul then levels his strongest statement concerning the true Gospel as it relates to the Law (2:16). This verse is one to memorize, if you haven't yet!

In all of this, the big question that remains is this: if the keeping of the Law is not a necessary component of salvation, then what continuing role does the Law have in the life of a believer? First, we must reiterate that the Law does have a part in bringing people to salvation. That part is the conviction that comes when we realize that we cannot keep the Law sufficiently ourselves to warrant salvation. Second, we must realize that there are certain aspects of the Law that do not apply any longer at all--namely the ceremonial law in general as is illustrated by the fact that circumcision is not required for salvation. Third, it is important to remember that the moral law of God is still binding in the life of a believer as is demonstrated in Paul's pointing to the OT command to love your neighbor as yourself (5:13-15). So, although the Law does not bring us salvation and certain aspects of the Law are no longer binding, our adherence to the moral Law of God remains a requirement for people of faith.

How does one insure that he is able to live a life in accordance with the moral Law of God? The answer to this question comes at the end of chapter 5. We must walk by the power of the Spirit. The connection between these two things should be quite clear. If we rightly understand the Spirit to be God Himself, then it makes perfect sense that walking by the Spirit will keep us in line with the Law that comes from the Spirit as well!

There is much more to discuss in this epistle, but I will close my comments here. In closing, let me point out some individual verses in this book that really do deserve some extra contemplation as you have the time: 1:10; 2:20; 3:3, 13; 4:4-7; 5:19-23; 6:1, 7-10, 14.