Calvary Chapel Beaumont’s Fall Women’s Bible Study just began. We’re using “Fresh Faith: Women’s Bible Study on Galatians, & 1st, 2nd, 3rd John” by Reliance Church. Below is an adaptation of a meditation I gave on Galatians 1:1-5, “Faith That Frees!”
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, emphasis added)
“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4 NKJV, emphasis added)
Galatians is all about Faith. Faith in Jesus. Faith in the work of Jesus … Alone. Faith That Frees.
What is faith? And how do we live by faith?
It’s steadfast and unwavering trust.
“True faith looks outside of self unto the
(David Guzik)
LORD God.”
It’s believing the Gospel and trusting the truth of the Good News.
Are you living by faith?
How would you describe your faith in the gospel to a non-Christian? … Are you emphasizing your works rather than looking outside of yourself and to the LORD?
Although Jesus brought a new covenant and way of life through grace, Judaizers urged Christians in Galatia to observe some of the old covenant practices like circumcision, adding works to the gospel—not so good news wouldn’t you say?
Paul warns the churches in Galatia that the Judaizers have perverted the Good News. Salvation isn’t faith in Jesus … AND … It’s not Jesus plus works.
NO! It’s faith in JESUS ALONE!
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the churches in Galatia to urge them to live by faith in the grace and peace of God, their Father, and Jesus Christ, their Savior.
We have the privilege of living by a faith that frees.
“Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:1-5 NKJV, emphasis added)
This is a different introduction than Paul’s other letters. Yes, he calls himself an apostle, prisoner of Christ, or bondservant in his other letters, but the first verse is much more detailed here.
Paul received a call from Jesus Christ and God the Father that changed his life and direction. This call freed him from legalism to enjoy a personal relationship with the Lord, and he became an ambassador of Christ to call others to a faith that frees … he had a faith calling.
Faith Calling
“Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),” (Galatians 1:1 NKJV)
According to Acts 1:21-22, to be an apostle, a man had to have been with the other apostles all the time that Jesus was with them, “beginning from the baptism of John, the resurrection of Jesus, and His ascension.”
Paul didn’t qualify according to these requirements.
In Galatians 1:11-12, Paul tells us:
“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12, NKJV, emphasis added)
Remember Paul’s calling in Acts 9?
“As he [Paul] journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ [Saul was his Hebrew name—the name he used before he met Jesus.] And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” (Acts 9:3-9 NKJV)
God sent Ananias to restore Paul’s sight and baptize him.
Then, what did Paul do? According to Galatians 1:17, he went to Arabia and Damascus and after three years he spent 15 days with Peter in Jerusalem. He also saw James, the brother of Jesus, and returned to Syria and Cilicia.
An apostle freed to live by faith in the One he had persecuted. Paul was taught by Jesus, the One who God the Father raised from the dead. He was called and appointed as an apostle by Jesus, his Savior, and God the Father.
“and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:” (Galatians 1:2 NKJV)
Although this was a letter written by Paul, others who served the Lord with him agreed with what is written in this letter.
Faith’s calling included Paul. As he sat at the feet of Jesus, others joined him and grace and peace flowed to those in Galatia.
Faith Flowing from Grace and Peace
Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, (Galatians 1:3, NKJV)
In BlueLetterBible.org, you’ll find that “grace” means “grace, favour, thanks, pleasure.” You can also click on the speaker icon and discover how to pronounce charis.
Grace and Peace. Click on “peace” in BlueLetterBible.org, and you will find, “Peace: eirēnē (i-ray’-nay) Strong’s G1515: “peace, rest, quietness. Distinctive of ‘Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot.’”
Peace eirene in Greek or shalom in Hebrew is a state of wholeness and freedom that grace brings.
PreceptAustin.org also provides many resources. I searched for Galatians 1:3 and scrolled down to the comments under the heading “Amazing Grace … Surpassing Peace.” The second commentary says,
Max Anders writes that “Grace and peace summarize Paul’s gospel of salvation. Grace, God’s unmerited favor, is the source of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9+). When a person believes in Jesus Christ, he or she receives salvation and peace with God (Ro 5:1+), others, and self. Thus, grace leads to peace.” (Holman NT Commentary – Galatians)
Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve or God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Peace is resting in God’s grace.
Write one thing about God’s grace that makes you smile. Are you smiling?
God pours out His abundant love and blessings upon all who have accepted Him as their Lord.
How has God blessed you? Write it down right now and thank God for the blessings He’s given you this month, this week, today!
Because of God’s grace, we can rest in Him, and our faith flows from His grace and peace. Our faith is resting in Jesus alone.
Rest —- How are you resting in Jesus?
Faith Resting in Jesus’ Work
“who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4, NKJV)
The Mosaic Law pointed us to the holiness of God and our sinfulness. Adam and Eve didn’t obey even one command of God—don’t eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. You might think “How could they not obey just one command?” Bet you couldn’t or WOULDN’T obey it either.
When China was off limits, we were on a tour out of Hong Kong. We came to the border of China. The tour guide told us not to step over the line, or we’d be in serious trouble. Guess what I did! … Yep! … One command. … Disobeyed!
From one commandment in the Garden of Eden to the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai to the many instructions and traditions on how to keep the Mosaic Law, we still can’t (or won’t) keep the Law.
Romans 3:23 says that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Sin upon sin upon more sin. The Law required that sin be covered through sacrifices.
Sacrifice upon sin … sacrifice upon sin … more sin upon more sacrifices … continually.
Stuck in the evil ways of the world. Stuck in OUR evil ways.
But God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to do what we couldn’t do. He kept the entire Law. Jesus walked this earth tempted as we are, but He didn’t sin.
God laid your sins and my sins upon Jesus on the cross, and God poured out His wrath upon those sins. Jesus paid the price for your sins and my sins once for all.
Do you believe that? How are you demonstrating that you trust Jesus with your whole heart? With your life? FOREVER?
Remember, verse 1?
“Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead).”
Jesus rose from the dead three days after He gave up His Spirit on the cross!
Jesus brought the New Covenant of Grace and Peace to you and me. He’s offering His grace and peace to you today.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)
Jesus gave Himself for you and me. This was the will of OUR God and Father!
Do you believe that? … … Really believe that? … … What evidence is there that your faith is resting in the grace and peace of Jesus Christ and God our Father?
How is your faith glorifying God?
Faith Glorifying God
“to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:5 NKJV)
We’ve come to the pinnacle of faith. God is The Creator of the Universe; Our Lord God Almighty; The Holy One; The All-Knowing, All-Present, All-Powerful; All-Sufficient One; The Alpha and Omega; Beginning and End. He is all and in all. Mighty beyond our comprehension.
We remember that Jesus Christ gave Himself for us. Our Mighty Savior, loving Friend who laid down His life for us so that we could live with Him forever.
FAITH THAT FREES!
Faith in Jesus’ works, not ours.
Looking away from ourselves and looking toward God.
Faith overflowing with grace and peace.
Faith Take Aways
- What is God calling you to do in faith?
- How are you resting in Jesus and glorifying God in that calling?
“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-5 NKJV)
A Faith That Frees!
How are you living by your faith in Jesus?
Please share in the comments.
Please Share Your Ideas