Paul’s letter to the Galatian believers is his attempt to demonstrate the fallacy of their recent theological shift, and he is quiet persuasive! After becoming believers, the Galatians have been convinced by others that their salvation is not complete unless they adopt the OT law. Now let’s be clear here, there is nothing wrong with a Christian adhering to the moral law, in fact, the NT commands us to be morally clean people. The problem occurs when one believes he must adhere to the law for salvation instead of to express his salvation.
Paul reminds them that their salvation began with faith, and therefore, it will continue by faith. This was the way salvation was for Abraham. He believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Therefore, “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham” (3:7).
Paul then demonstrates the weakness of the law to save and the purpose of Christ to save. In order for the law to save, one must keep it in all points. No one is justified this way because all have broken the law. Christ, however, became our salvation by bearing the curse of the law for us.
So is the law useless? Certainly not. The law’s function was to reveal our sin and point us to Christ. The law points us away from works and to faith in Christ. In Christ, the promise to Abraham and “his offspring” of being a blessing to all nations is fulfilled, for salvation through faith is for all, Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female.
In Christ, we are sons of God. In Christ, by faith, we are sons of Abraham. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone!
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