Chapter 20
STAND FAST IN YOUR FAITH
(Galatians 5:7-12)
Before we begin our study for this portion of Paul's letter to the Galatians, let us pray,
Dear Heavenly Father,
Father, we come before You in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Father, please grant us the spiritual wisdom to better understand Your Word. Father as we come to a better knowledge of You and Your ways please cause us to stand fast in our faith in You and Your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen
As we continue our study of the Apostle Paul's letter to the churches in Galatia, we now come to,
Galatians 5:7-12
"[7] You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? [8] That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. [9] "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." [10] I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. [11] Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. [12] As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!"
As we did in our previous study, let us examine some of the key points in each verse. We begin with,
GALATIANS 5:7
"[7] You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?"
To have better a appreciation as to why Paul asked the above question, we must remember that the churches in Galatia were falling into error. The people began to seek other ways to be justified before God. Rather than totally relying upon Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for them, they began to try and make themselves appear holy and righteous before God by adhering to various laws and traditions. For example they:
LOOKED TO THE OBSERVANCE OF DAYS, MONTHS, ETC.
We discovered this when we read from,
Galatians 4:10
"[10] You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!"
and,
LOOKED TO THE RITE OF CIRCUMCISION
We found this in,
Galatians 5:2
"[2] Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all."
Consequently, the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:7 asked the churches in Galatia as to who it was that was hindering them from obeying the truth? As we will find in the next verse, this teaching or persuasion for the New Testament churches to rely upon Old Testament Laws, traditions and rituals for justification before God is not from Him. To see this let us read from,
GALATIANS 5:8
"[8] That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you."
The reason the above behavior of the Galatians was and is not for the New Testament churches is twofold:
THE OLD TESTAMENT LAWS WERE SHADOWS POINTING TO THE TIME WHEN JESUS CHRIST WOULD COME TO SAVE US.
To see this let us read from,
Colossians 2:16-17
"[16] do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. [17] These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ."
And,
THE CHURCHES OF JESUS CHRIST BELONG TO A NEW COVENANT.
To see this let us read from,
Hebrews 8:1-13
"[1] The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, [2] and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. [3] Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. [4] If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. [5] They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." [6] But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. [7] For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. [8] But God found fault with the people and said : "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. [9] It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. [10] This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [11] No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. [12] For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." [13] By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear."
Let us notice the following verses,
1-2 The High Priest of the born again believers is Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 6:19-7:28). He is now in the Tabernacle in Heaven seated by the right hand of God the Father.
4 If Jesus was on earth He would not be a priest. Why? Because according to the Law God gave to Moses only the sons from the lineage of Aaron are priests (Exodus 40:12-15). Since Jesus came from the human lineage of David, who was of Judah (Matthew 1:1-16), Jesus according to the Law could not be a priest (Hebrews 7:14).
5 The priests of the Old Testament were only serving in a copy or shadow of the Temple that is in Heaven.
6 Jesus has obtained for us better promises than those that were given to the Old Testament nation of Israel, that is He is the mediator of a better covenant.
7-9 The church of Jesus Christ is to live under a new covenant. This new covenant is not like the covenant of laws written on stone and/or parchment that God gave the nation of Israel during their exodus from Egypt.
10 In the new covenant, when a person becomes a born again believer in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit comes to live and dwell within them. At this time God's laws are placed within the believer's mind and written in their hearts. In other words, God's ways become part of the born again believer's nature. Thus, the born again believer is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
11-12 Because God the Holy Spirit lives within the born again believer, everyone who is born again know God. Even though they were unrighteous, they have received His mercy. Their sins and lawless deeds have been forgiven and forgotten!
13 Because of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on our behalf, the first covenant of Old Testament laws, traditions and ceremonies that were written on stone and/or parchment are obsolete!
As we reflect upon the incredible sacrifice Jesus Christ made on our behalf and the tremendous spiritual blessings that followed we, as the Apostle Paul, can readily see that it is not God's will or desire for us to try and justify ourselves before Him by reverting back to the Old Testament laws and ways.
Now some may say that we do not offer sacrifices to atone for our sins. We do not celebrate all the various Old Testament feasts. We do not look to circumcision for salvation. We just believe to be a Christian and be saved one must abide in the law of tithing and/or keep the Sabbath and/or celebrate special Christian holidays, and/or etc. For those who believe this way let us now read from,
GALATIANS 5:9
""[9] A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.""
In other words, as we discovered in our previous study, "If you look to one portion of the law, such as circumcision, to be justified before God then you are obligated to observe it all! To refresh our memories let us read from,
Galatians 5:3
"[3] Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law."
As the Scripture states:
"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."
Given the seriousness of it all, that is the eternal consequences of our behavior in this matter, the Apostle Paul reminds us that those who try to lead us astray will bring judgement upon themselves. To see this let us now read from,
GALATIANS 5:10
"[10] I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be."
As we read the Scriptures we find that God has a very dim view of those who try to lead His people astray. For example, let us read what Jesus once said to those who were being a stumbling block to those who were coming to Him. His words are recorded for us in,
Matthew 18:4-7
"[4] Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [5] "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. [6] But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. [7] "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!"
In the beginning of the letter to the Galatians we also found that the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, declared that those who attempt to lead people away from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ will be accursed. To refresh our memories let us read from,
Galatians 1:8-9
"[8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!"
Hence, the Apostle Paul reassured the churches in Galatia and now us that he did not preach or teach that in addition to faith in Jesus Christ one also had to comply with some portion or all aspects of the Law. To see this let us read what he had to say about the rite of circumcision.
GALATIANS 5:11
"[11] Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished."
To drive home the point that he only taught and preached that a person is justified before God through faith in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made on the cross, Paul asked the Galatians and now us to reflect upon the persecution he suffered. To refresh our memories let us read where he summarized sum of the persecution he received at the hand of the Jewish community. It is recorded for us in,
2 Corinthians 11:24-25
[24]Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, "
We must remember that the reason Paul was so persecuted by the Jewish community was because they thought he was preaching heresy. By not teaching that salvation comes by observing the laws handed down through Moses, the Jews believed that Paul was leading them astray from the true worship of God. To see this let us read what the Jewish contingent said to Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia.
Acts 18:12-13
"[12] While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. [13] "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.""
With this above in mind, the Apostle Paul asked the churches in Galatia and now us that if he preached observance of the Law then why was he persecuted? In other words, he did not teach or preach these things. He only preached and taught faith in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for our redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. To see this let us consider the following statement by Paul as recorded in,
1 Corinthians 1:21-23
"[21] For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. [22] Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, [23] but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,"
As we reflect upon all that we have covered in this study, one might ask what is the point? What is the lesson to be learned?
THE TEACHING - STAND FAST IN OUR FAITH
Perhaps the best way to highlight the point of this study is for each one of us to prayerfully search our hearts as we reflect upon the following questions: For our salvation, are we totally relying upon the finished work of Jesus Christ? (or) Do we have some leaven? It may not be circumcision; but, do we believe that in addition to faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation we must also: (1) observe holy days?, and/or (2) observe Sabbaths?, and/or (3) partake in rituals?, and/or (4) commit to tithing? (5) Etc.? If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, please confess and repent from those beliefs and ask our Lord Jesus Christ to clean out the leaven. For remember:
Galatians 5:4
"[4] You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace."
Let us now summarize the whole point of this study by reading the following exhortation to stand fast. It is written for us in,
Ephesians 6:10-18
"[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
CLOSING
Let us close this study by reading,
Ephesians 6:23-24
"[23] Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [24] Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love."
Amen and Amen