Paul writes a letter to the Galatians in response to the reports he has heard about what has been happening in the churches in Asia Minor. However, he completely skips the thanksgiving in his letter because he is beyond upset with the direction the people are taking to receive salvation. Christians from Jerusalem traveled to Galatia to share the news that they needed to become Jews and obey the Jewish laws wholeheartedly in order to receive salvation from Christ. Nonetheless, Paul knew this approach was completely wrong. He understands the formula for salvation and uses the opponent’s history and theology to teach them how the formula works. Through Paul’s approach to salvation and trusting Jesus, my faith is not only challenged, but also supported. In the second chapter of Galatians, Paul discusses where justification comes from. In verses 15 and 16, Paul writes, “We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:15-16). …show more content…
Christ came to free us from the demands of the law. In Paul’s words, “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). Paul’s encouragement to quit following the false gospel is relieving for many, including myself. Knowing all that matters is faith working through love is the most fulfilling, freeing promise from God. Paul tells us how all we need to worry about is faith. Forget substituting circumcision into the salvation equation because you are either all in or all out for Jesus. If we choose to live by the flesh, we will go to hell, but if we live by the spirit, we will inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). This promise alone is enough to change the lives of the people of Galatia, but also everyone else who is able to hear Paul’s