In the first two chapters of Galatians, Paul passionately made a plea for salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. In chapter 1, he identified for us the fallacy of legalism—adding good works to Christ’s work on the cross. He also explained that those who promote legalism are false teachers in danger of God’s wrath. He told of how he had gone to Jerusalem to combat the teaching of legalism and to defend his teaching of Christ’s grace. In chapter 2, he continued his narrative and told us how even the Apostle Peter and his own gospel partner, Barnabas, had been influenced by these legalists to the point of living a hypocritical life.
Paul will now change the tone of his letter. Up until this point he has given us a simple overview of soteriology—that is the Christian doctrine of salvation. Now he will dive full into a systematic defense and appeal for God’s grace as the only means of salvation. In chapter 3, he will give us his logical defense, and then in chapter 4, he will vibrantly illustrate it for us.
In today’s passage, Paul begins his defense against legalism and for grace. He will give us three evidences for salvation by faith. He will show us that the grace-filled life is nothing more than the Spirit-filled life. Christian living is Spirit-filled living.
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Stephen R. Burch is the pastor of Green Mountain Baptist Church in Center Rutland, Vermont, where he lives with his wife, Erica, and his five children. He trusted Christ as a young child while growing up in Michigan. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music ministries from...
