Ep. 322. Galatians 3 | The Righteous Live By Faith

EPISODE 322

THE RIGHTEOUS LIVE BY FAITH: GALATIANS 3

Paul continues strongly, "O Foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?" (the false teachers with the "different gospel"). "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?" What a great question that was. The Law had been around for more than a millennium, and the Spirit was not given to the people. However, once the people, Jews or Gentiles, began to put faith in Jesus, the Spirit was given freely. "Are you really so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" In other words, since all of this started by the Holy Spirit through faith, why in the world are you now trying to be made complete or whole in Christ through the works of the flesh/Law?

You will notice a comparison here that is very similar to Romans. On one side of the coin is the works of the flesh, also called the works of the Law. On the other side of the coin is the Holy Spirit working via faith. These are two different gospels and two different covenants. Furthermore, those who would seek any level of righteousness through works of the Law will find themselves "Under a curse; for it is written, 'Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Law and do them.'" He will later go on to say that if you want to hold to circumcision, you MUST hold to the fullness of the Law. After all, the Law was only able to impart righteousness if someone handled it perfectly in all circumstances for all time.

The Law served its purpose as guardian until Christ came, and then the Law was replaced by the new covenant in Christ's blood. Now, not because of the Law but because of faith, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This all comes by way of faith through the promise of God.

ADDITIONAL READING: Genesis 15:6; Genesis 12:2-3; Deuteronomy 27:26; Romans 4:22-24; Habakkuk 2:4; Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Genesis 17:7-8; Colossians 3:11