In perhaps the most needful message for modern
Christianity, Paul's letter to the Galatians portrays the struggle of life
that has plagued man since his creation. Paul's concern for the
Galatians, which would be his same concern for today, was
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from
him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel; Which
is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert
the gospel of Christ. (1:6,7)
After they had believed in Jesus, someone
had come along and "twisted" the gospel.
With "gospel" meaning the good
message (The Father had sent His Son into the lives of the Galatians to
baptize them with His Spirit to take them where they would not and could
not go themselves.), some one stirred or agitated ("trouble:)
them back into the bondage of trying to get "there" themselves.
It was a bad message. Paul's cry was,
Stand fast therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the
yoke of bondage. (5:1)
After Jesus comes into the believers life
as a gift ("For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works . . .
[Eph. 2:8.9]), does the believer then turn to his own works to stay a
believer? It is the question and the trap that has caused all men
(except Jesus Christ) to fall from grace. Paul's letter to the
Galatians is a powerful exposition of the frustration of grace.
The gospel will prevent the believer from
falling into the dilemma of not being able to see in his life what he
knows should be occurring. Only the grace of God produces the life
of God.
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