Why Galatians?

I’ll admit it. The writings of Paul feel like home to me. If there is a place I want to make a beeline to in the Bible, outside of John’s Gospel, it’s the letters of Paul. But Galatians has always been a challenge for me. And in the spirit of leaning into a good challenge, we’re going to dig into this one and see what God has for us.

Why is Galatians challenging? Because legalism has had a grip on my heart a time or two. My sinful flesh drifts toward “checklist Christianity,” the kind that wants to add just a few things to the finished work of Jesus. That’s why Galatians unsettles me. Paul’s message of freedom and grace confronts the subtle urge in my soul to add to the Gospel. I would venture to guess that at some point, maybe even right now, you have wrestled with the same thing called legalism. If so, you’re in good company. Let’s dive in.

Historical Context

Paul’s letter was written to address the influence of a group known as the Judaizers. They had infiltrated the churches of South Galatia and were urging Gentile believers to embrace the Gospel and also keep the law of Moses in order to be saved. Specifically, they were requiring circumcision as the old covenant sign of belonging to God’s people.

When Paul hears this, he responds with urgency. His argument is clear: salvation is a free gift of God’s grace. Nothing we do can add to or take away from the finished work of Christ. We are made righteous before God through Christ alone.

Cultural Relevance

Today, I don’t hear anyone insisting that Christians must practice circumcision in order to be saved. But the spirit of legalism still lingers. It shows up whenever we teach or believe that salvation requires us to add our works to what Christ has already accomplished.

I’m reminded of a sermon one of our members, Bryon Hall, preached back in 2019: Jesus + Nothing = Everything. That truth still holds today.

Of course, this raises a question. If salvation is by grace alone, does that mean we have freedom to live however we want? Paul answers that with a firm, “By no means!” Over the next few months, we will walk through Galatians together and hear Paul’s answer to that question. My prayer is that the Lord will use this series to deepen our joy in the Gospel and strengthen our freedom in Christ.

Reading Plan: 

8/31: Galatians 1:1-10

9/7: Galatians 1:11-24

9/21: Galatians 2:1-10

9/28: Galatians 2:11-21

10/5: Galatians 3:1-14

10/12: Galatians 3:15-29

10/19: Galatians 4:1-7

10/26: Galatians 4:8-20

11/2: Galatians 4:21-31

11/9: Galatians 5:1-15

11/16: Galatians 5:16-26

11/23: Galatians 6:1-10

11/20: Galatians 6:11-18