Today we begin a study of the book of Galatians. We will see in this book how the apostle Paul addresses the issue of legalism.
Because the gospel of the grace of God is worth defending, Paul writes this epistle as an apostle of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:1). He quickly refutes the notion that there is any other gospel than the gospel of the grace of Christ (Galatians 1:6-8).
Grace eliminates any human effort or merit as the basis for forgiveness of sin (Romans 4:4-6; Ephesians 2:4-9). It was “by the grace of God” that Jesus tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). By faith, we “stand” in the mighty grace of God, through the merit of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1,2). “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)
But grace must never be understood as a license to sin at will (Romans 6:1,2). This unmerited and unearned favor of God includes the faith that enables us to walk in victory (1 John 5:4). In other words, grace is the power of God that enables us to walk godly in this present world (Titus 2:11,12).
So, saints, let us come to the table of grace this morning with thankful hearts and praises for our King Jesus!
