In his book, The Walk, author and songwriter Michael Card writes, “Jesus did not come primarily to give us truths. He came to give us himself.” Of course we know that when Jesus gave us himself, he also gave us truth, but the point Card makes is that the Christian faith is not about what we do or what we know, ultimately, the Christian faith is about the Christ who knows us and the Christ whom we can know.
When a person comes to faith in Jesus, they understand the joy of knowing Jesus. A new Christian recognizes the grace and gift that is salvation and forgiveness. Unfortunately, sometimes familiarity with Christianity can bring contempt for the simple faith and trust in Jesus that saved you.
In many ways, familiarity can lead to forgetting the faith and replacing it with something new and different.
The book of Galatians was written to a group of believers who, after having received the faith and beginning their Christian journey strong in the grace of God, began to believe that their works were an essential ingredient in their salvation. This group of committed believers had ceased to view their works as the fruit of their salvation. Instead, they had begun to work their way into their relationship with Jesus.
A group of Judaizers preached to the Galatians that they must be circumcised if they were to experience the full salvation of Jesus Christ. Paul writes in Galatians three to assure the Galatians of the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for their full pardon from sin.
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Galatians 3:1-6
Godly actions should come as a result of one’s salvation, but right actions are not a requirement for salvation. God’s act of salvation is God’s free gift based on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, not on the works of any man.
Pursuing a Religious Checklist
Many people follow a checklist to try to please God. The things you “check off” on your list may include daily devotion, scripture memorization, regular church attendance, and listening to Christian music. Your checklist gives the appearance of godliness, but appearances can be deceiving.
If you believe that your checklist somehow makes you holy in the sight of God, you have been “bewitched,” to use Paul’s term. In Galatians 3:10-14, Paul shows his readers that justification is not found in adherence to the law, “for all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse.” Instead, “Christ has redeemed us by becoming a curse for us.” Your salvation is made secure, not in the works of your hands, but through the nail-pierced hands of Jesus Christ.
Embracing Faith in Christ
What then is the purpose of God’s law? Paul writes in Galatians 3:19-26 that God’s law exists, not to bring salvation, but to point people toward their need for a savior. Because of the law, we know what sin is and we recognize the gravity of our sinful condition. Put simply, the law exists to point us to our need for a mediator, a savior, who is Jesus—the ultimate fulfillment of God’s law. Jesus has given us more than law, He has given us himself as our savior and guide.
Embrace Christ. He has done the work of salvation on your behalf and the greatest joy of salvation is found in knowing Christ and being known by him.
Photo by Duncan Sanchez on Unsplash
