FREEDOM OF THE GOSPEL. Galatians 5-6 Liberty, grace, hope, holiness, faith, love, service, and the fruit of the Spirit transform the lives of believers who walk in the Spirit. The bondage of those trying to be justified by keeping the law is contrasted with the freedom believers in Christ enjoy. The powerful call to “stand fast” reminds us of the Gospel's message of freedom through the Spirit. “The Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.” This is the main theme of the book of Galatians. “Christ has made us free.” The Galatians were at risk of losing this glorious truth and falling back into the bondage of the law.
Christ has made us free. Listening to the false teachers, the Galatians appeared as if they would shift from receiving blessing to facing the curse of the law. Their desire seemed to be for the Old Testament again, forgetting that the law given at Mount Sinai showed that God is so holy that even one failure would lead them to despair and being under a curse. Paul reminds them that turning away from grace only makes things worse. Trying to justify yourself by the works of the law is impossible because you can never fully obey it; you must choose for yourself—grace or law—and breaking the law will condemn you to hell. Christ, plus the law, is not the way; God’s righteousness is given to us. It is either you accept what God offers by grace or fall under the law and its curse.
Salvation is only possible through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. To dismiss Christ and His death on the cross as the only means of forgiveness means you have no right to claim it, no matter how hard you try. You haven't truly become a Christian. You are implying that you are saving yourself; you are not someone Christ came to call. Do not turn away from the Savior who died and sacrificed Himself as a ransom for sin. Do not for a moment think that grace can be improved by the sins and works of mankind. God’s grace alone is sufficient; nothing can be added to make His salvation more complete. Take a moment to reflect on what God's Word says: pause, open your Bible, and see… The Christian is not to
- Receive the grace of God in vain [2 Cor. 6:1], but continue in the grace of God [Acts 13:43].
- Set aside the grace of God [Gal.2:21], but is to stand in grace [Rom.5:2; 1Pe.5:12].
- Fall away from grace [Gal. 5:4], but be strengthened in the grace of Christ Jesus [2Tim.2:1].
- Do despite unto the Spirit of grace [Heb. 10:29], but is to draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace [Heb. 4:16].
- Fall short of the grace of God [Heb.12:15], but is to be established in the heart by grace [Heb. 13:9].
- Turn the grace of God into lasciviousness [Jude 4], but is to grow in the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [2Pe.3:18].