Galatians

Salvation by grace! Justification by faith! Sanctification by faith!

The Doctrinal Defense of Justification by Faith

From Experience – 3:1-5

From Abraham – 3:6-9

From the negative effect of the Law – 3:10-14

Priority of the covenant of promise over the covenant of Law –

3:15- 18

The real place and purpose of the law – 3:19-25

Blessings unique to our position in Christ – 3:26-4:7

The Appeal To Stay Away From Legalism

-Because legalism is bondage – 4:8-11

-Because of their personal relationship – 4:12-20

-Illustrated in Hagar and Sarah – 4:21-5:1

Blessings unique to our position in Christ – 3:26-4:7

Blessing #1 – No need for a schoolmaster

Blessing #2 – Unconditional sonship by faith in Jesus Christ

Blessing #3 – Union with Christ via the baptism of the Holy

Spirit

Blessing #4 – Oneness in Christ for all believers

Blessing #5 – Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the

promise

Blessing #6 – The glory of son-heirship in Christ

POINT: Because of our adult sonship-heirship we enjoy an

exalted position in Christ not on the basis of a law-

works-merit system, but on the basis of the grace-

promise-faith system.

The Appeal To Stay Away From Legalism

Because legalism is bondage – 4:8-11

NOTE: Unbelievers are not free! Their norm is religious

slavery to deities of their own creation!

Elemental things = anything in which people place their trust

Apart from Christ

Days, months, seasons, and years = The Mosaic rituals

Because of their personal relationship – 4:12-20

“Become as I am” – Free in the gospel

“I also have become as you are” – Like a Gentile, not

under the Law

Verse 17 – The way of false teachers:

1. Divisive influence

2. Aggressive recruiting

3. Captivation of the mind

4. Dictation of doctrine

The ultimate goal of false teachers is to be courted by their followers. They are motivated by ego and power.

“…until Christ is formed in you” – This is the primary goal of the Holy Spirit (and every true minister) for the Christian.

“I am perplexed about you.”

Their inconsistency puzzled him.

Their immaturity grieved him.

Their acceptance of the Judaiziers was agony to him

Their misunderstanding of grace was baffling to him

How could anyone having been taught by the apostle Paul resort to legalism? The answer is ‘the flesh’ as Paul will point out in chapters five and six.

For reflection – Do you serve because you have a sincere desire to see others grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ or are you motivated by receiving praise and recognition from people?