Galatians: A Challenge
We’re studying Paul’s letter to the Galatians in our Sunday meetings from April to July. Why are we studying it? Because this letter shows how important it is to keep the gospel front-and-centre in our lives.
Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia is a passionate defence of the gospel of God's grace. ‘The central message of Galatians is that the freeness of God’s grace and love is not only the gateway but also the pathway of the Christian life’ (Dane Ortlund).
In this letter Paul sounds exasperated at some points - for example, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all” (1:6) and, "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?" (3:1). His frustration stems from a passionate concern that his readers return to a full confidence in the gospel - that it is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone that a person is justified by God. In this letter we have a window into life in early Christianity and especially some of the challenges they faced from false teachers and how Paul urged the Galatian Christians to stay true to Jesus.
So in this series we’re going to get a big view of what the life, death and resurrection of Jesus has achieved for us. And some very practical help on how we can stay true to Jesus, trusting him alone to put us in a right relationship with God and trusting that his Spirit’s life in us will keep us in that relationship.
Here's a challenge for you - to read Paul's letter to the Galatians slowly and deeply on your own as we study it on Sunday mornings from April to July.
Why are we studying it? Because this letter shows how important it is to keep the gospel front-and-centre in our lives. One translation of the Bible puts chapter 3 verse 1 like this: "You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a spell on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives." (3:1, The Message). That gives a pretty good sense of why Paul wrote this letter.
So as you read Galatians have some questions in mind:
What seem to be the issues Paul is concerned about?
What errors are the Galatian churches getting into?
What does this teach me about keeping the gospel front-and-centre?
Book recommendations:
The Message Of Galatians, John Stott (Bible Speaks Today series).
Galatians For You, Tim Keller