King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Friday, November 25, 2022
Chapters: GALATIANS 1-3
Study: The Law That Led To Grace
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
This past Wednesday before I left work I posted in my teams chat a “Happy Thanksgiving” gif. I did not want to send one that everyone else was sending about turkey, and found one with pilgrims, which after I posted it, I realized that they were actually praying. I tell you what, I am definitely the black sheep of my department, even without realizing it, the Holy Spirit makes sure that I have no shame in my faith. If there was ever a question as to how we are saved by grace, and why God had given the Law in the first place, there really is no better place to go than the Book of Galatians, [Galatians 3:21,23 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.]
The Book of Galatians contains six chapters, the author is Paul, and it was written to the believers of Galatia. Paul wrote this letter during his third trip to Corinth, around 60AD. The purpose of the letter was to correct the false teaching of Jewish legalism that got mixed in with grace and was now a part of the Christian Church. What we are to learn from the book is that Christ ended the need to be justified by the law, we are justified by grace alone through our faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, not by our own works. First and far most we must understand that there is only one Gospel to follow, and that is the sinless death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, [Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.]
The churches of Galatia were formed by both converted Jews and Gentiles, somehow they began following another gospel, which stated that a person only remained justified of their salvation by continued works of the law of Moses. Paul straight up tells them that their gospel is not the Gospel of Christ.
[Galatians 1:1-2,6-8,10 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.]
[For do I now persuade men, or God?] Any other gospel given, is not of God, it is of man. Whether they are told to get baptized, follow the Law, or join the church before getting saved, they are perverting the Gospel. Jesus Christ, took each and every sin that we and everyone else committed, to the cross with Him as the sinless, permanent sacrifice needed once and for all to justify those who believe in Him. It is not of anything of our own doing that we can be justified for our sins, the only thing we can do by faith is, A; Admit that we have sinned, B; Believe that Christ died a sinless death, was buried, and three days later arose in order to save us, and C; Confess that we accept Him alone as our Saviour, [Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.]
When we first come to know Christ as our Saviour, the Holy Spirit enters our soul, He is the one who guides us to knowing what is right and wrong morally speaking as the Bible teaches us, and He never frustrates grace. It is the Holy Spirit that actually separates us from those of the world, especially when we are newly converted. Remember when I talked about Paul not starting his ministry until three years after he got saved? He explains here what he did during those three years.
[Galatians 1:13-19 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.]
[immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:] This separation allowed Paul to get a better understanding of the Gospel as well as Jesus, so that when he began his ministry he would be able to discern what was actually from God or man.
[Galatians 2:1-5 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.]
[that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.] Adding to the Gospel just one more thing actually creates a false gospel and false god, we are not to combine the works of the Law with grace under no circumstances. Remember, even the apostles had a hard time comprehending that we are justified by faith alone and encouraged them to get circumcised. Paul. even fussed at Peter for trying to frustrate grace by adding circumcision.
[Galatians 2:9-12,14 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?]
[they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel,] Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who are not saved nor have ever picked up a Bible, who live moral lives. So, it is not for us to demand that people live as we do, otherwise, we might run them off all together, it is for us to live our lives in a way that reflects Christ as He would lead us. Every person is different, we all have have different strengths, weaknesses, skills, and qualities that God is very well aware of, and this is exactly why salvation is the only thing that we can all agree on that can never be changed, [Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:]
I know that sometimes it seems like we are seeing the same thing repeated over and over again, but God wants us to get it through our heads that while we are all different, we are all the same when it comes to our salvation. We must all be the same when it comes to the Gospel and our being justified, which has nothing to do with our obedience to the Law, and everything to do with our faith in Christ.
[Galatians 2:16-21 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.]
[For if I build again the things which I destroyed,] Yes, the Law is our guide, as it was theirs before Christ. There is no need to follow the Law in regards to sacrifices and ceremonies for redemption because Jesus put an end to it all, therefore, it is dead to us. If we just followed the Law then we would not be living under grace, and therefore, subjecting ourselves to facing judgment for every command written in the Law. How is that possible? Remember, if we are guilty of breaking one, then we break them all, [James 2:10-11 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.]
Here is the thing, if we are saved then we are Holy Spirit wired to follow commands that are within the law, not out of obligation, but out of faith because we do live unto God, and not man. Nevertheless, we are not subject to the Law, and therefore, many of them do not apply to us. Think about it, does God change? He does not. Naturally, if He had written in the Law, which are not actually apart of the first ten commandments, [Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.] then we should expect that the same command applies to us also. Now, think about this, if a person believes in Christ, then why would they trust anyone telling them they need to follow rules that are not even biblical in order to keep their salvation? This is what Paul is telling the Galatians for bringing this into the church, and reminds them of the promise that God gave Abraham.
[Galatians 3:1-7 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.]
[Even as Abraham believed God,] The most asked question by the world is, “If Christ is the only way to God, then what about those who died before Him?” Well, they too had to believe that Christ was coming to save them. Paul, literates that if Abraham were justified by the Law (which by the way he did not have), then we would all still be under the same curse.
[Galatians 3:10-14 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.]
[the works of the law are under the curse:] The curse being the death of every soul born who was made from Adam, as well as a curse of the earth, [Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis 3:15,17 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 7 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;]
[That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles] We who are saved are one of those children promised to Abraham, the only children to physically see Abraham on earth was those of Issac, Jacob, and Esau, but every day he meets more of his children in heaven. So, why then, did God give His Law then? Well, because of their sin. They needed the Law to get them right with God until Jesus would come.
[Galatians 3:17-22 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.]
[But the scripture hath concluded all under sin,] There is not one person born who is not guilty of at least committing one sin, which is why God had come up with the Law in regards to redemption and atonement for sin. Jesus, put an end to it all when He became the mediator or middleman that sacrificed His own life. The Law was their guide to bring them to Christ by hope of His coming, just like it is ours as well.
[Galatians 3:24-29 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.]
[we are no longer under a schoolmaster.] Laws are given for lawbreakers. Therefore, we are held under the judgments of the Law if we break the Law. Those who are not under that Law, even though their conscience through the Holy Spirit, automatically wires them to do what is contained within the Law, are actually not seen to have any sin at all. Why? Our faith in Christ! Yes, we are sinners, but our faith in Christ alone covers that sin, God does not see us, He sees His Son, rather, the blood of His Son, and that is how we appear to have no sin at all, at least our soul anyway, [1 John 3:3-6 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.]
Today’s Prayer: God, It is still unbelievable to think that we do not have to do anything to be saved except believe in and receive Your Son, Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Thank You, Jesus for making such a great sacrifice for us, we are not worthy to receive such a gift, but You offer it freely to anyone who comes to You by faith. Lord, as I live my life for You, keep me grounded in this truth, never let me fall into a false gospel, and never let me turn anyone down from knowing the truth. Let me be a witness and testimony of Your wonderful love and grace. I love you, Lord, and pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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