Beckett examines Paul's epistle to the Galatians as a call to maintain the purity of the Gospel by rejecting any mixture of works and grace in salvation and sanctification. She argues that adding any human effort—whether circumcision, baptism, or other works—to faith in Christ perverts the Gospel and renders Christ's sacrifice unprofitable (Galatians 5:4), emphasizing that justification, redemption, and sanctification come only through faith in Christ, not through the law (Galatians 3:21, Romans 10:4). "Living in Galatians" means daily exalting the Gospel's power, standing firm in Christian liberty (Galatians 5:1), and trusting Christ alone as Lord and Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6).
What does the Bible say about grace and faith?
The Bible teaches that grace is the means through which we are saved by faith, not by works of the law.
Galatians 2:16
How do we know the doctrine of salvation by grace is true?
The doctrine of salvation by grace is affirmed throughout Scripture, particularly through the teachings of the Apostle Paul.
Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 3:11
Why is living by faith important for Christians?
Living by faith is crucial as it demonstrates trust in God's promises and power for daily life.
Galatians 5:6, Philippians 2:13
What does Galatians teach about the law?
Galatians teaches that the law cannot bring life, justification, or salvation; only Christ can do that.
Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:4
I have a dear pastor friend who coined this phrase, “Living in Galatians” and I appreciate it so much. It is rich in meaning and speaks to me of the place of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, the place of grace and of faith and the place of the law. The book of Galatians tells me that I must listen carefully so as to discern when the Truth is being set aside for anything other than the Gospel, the Gospel that was taught and revealed to the Apostle Paul by Jesus Christ. Paul marveled that the Galatians had turned away so quickly from the grace of Christ; I can understand the marvel for it does seem that once the Gospel of grace has truly been revealed to you in power you would never turn away.
The book of Galatians gives us grace in Christ by faith over law for any part of our salvation, including sanctification, hence ‘living by faith and trusting Jesus’. Paul asked the Galatians “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh……..therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith”?
The law brings a sense of wrath and condemnation but it cannot bring the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The law cannot give life (Galatians 3:21) nor can it bring justification, redemption, wisdom or sanctification. Christ is all (1 Corinthians 1:30). It is utter folly to abandon the Gospel of Christ, the power of God unto salvation, for righteousness by the law as the Galatians were doing ‘for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth” (Romans 10:4)
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.” (Galatians 1:6) Notice that turning away from the grace of Christ is actually turning away from Him who has called His elect only one way, by His effectual grace. The Galatians suddenly wanted to mix works and grace together and that mix is another gospel (which is no gospel) and Paul warns them of listening to any perversion of the purity of the Gospel. He tells them if they add a work (circumcision in this case), Christ would profit them nothing. (Galatians 5: 4). Christ will profit nothing when any work (condition) is added to any part of our salvation as a requirement i.e., water baptism, church membership, tithing, etc. These conditions pervert the Gospel and we should be very careful to maintain its purity as the Apostle Paul instructed the Galatians. It is a hazardous thing to tamper with the Gospel.
What is it to live in Galatians? The Apostle Paul gives us an idea when he says in the book of Acts that he wanted to finish his course with joy by testifying to the gospel of the grace of God. It is a daily endeavor in our heart to exalt the Gospel, to be firmly established in the Truth of it and to have continual confidence in the power of it for our salvation. It is living by faith which worketh by love (Galatians 5:6b) and it is trusting Him to work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure and trusting Christ as “The Lord our Righteousness “(Jeremiah 23:6-33:16)
God has spoken to us by His Son, Christ is God’s final word to us (Hebrews 1:1-3), let us not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage, let us instead stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free. (Galatians 5:1)
“The just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11)
Grace always!
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