So how can anyone be a “Foolish Galatian” in the 21st century? They were just a first century phenomenon weren’t they? And only a serious problem for Paul and all the other Grace filled Assemblies in Galatia, surely? How can there be such a problem today? This must be nonsense, I hear you say. Well, it’s not as nonsensical as you might think and, in order to get a full understanding of what it’s all about, we need to take a look at Galatians to gain a better knowledge of what Paul was having to deal with.
We also need to know how the: “Justification through obedience to The Law” problem, for Grace filled and saved people, has never gone away. This vile evil concept is still with us today and do not err in your thinking, by making light of it:
Galatians 3:1 (KJV) O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not ‘obey’ (a corrupt translation – should read “you who have not been convinced of or persuaded by:-”) The Truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (Brackets and italics mine)
Galatians 3:1 (Amplified Version) O you poor and silly and thoughtless and unreflecting and senseless Galatians! Who has fascinated or bewitched or cast a spell over you, unto whom—right before your very eyes—Jesus Christ (the Messiah) was openly and graphically set forth and portrayed as crucified?
From the Amplified Version we get a better insight into how dumb and stupid these people were and how dumb and stupid modern Galatian people are as well. Let’s look at verse 2 for our proof and evidence:
Galatians 3:2 (KJV) This only would I learn of you, Received ye The Spirit by the works of The Law, or by The Hearing of Faith?
Galatians 3:2 (Amplified Version) Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive The [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying The Law and doing its works, or was it by hearing [The Message of The Gospel] and believing [it]? [Was it from observing a Law of Rituals or from a Message of Faith?]
So here’s a question for all you blasphemers out there who think you can be saved by OBEDIENCE to The Commandments: Did you receive the gift of The Holy Spirit as a result of obeying The Commandments or by hearing The Message of Faith and BELIEVING it?
Let’s put this another way: Did you do anything or contribute anything by way of obedience to The Commandments in order to receive this free undeserved gift? If you did, let’s hear about it ‘cos I love a good laugh at the expense of vain puffed-up fools who think they can earn their own salvation by obedience to The Commandments.
Paul then begins to cement his case:
Galatians 3:3 (KJV) Are ye so foolish? having begun in The (Holy) Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Brackets mine)
Here again we can see how these stupid people had begun in The Holy Spirit which means that they were called by The Father to His Son by The Holy Spirit, but then said: “No thanks, we know a better way!!” And here is the first example of this evil mind set:
John 6:65-66 And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that many of His Learners (disciples) went back, and walked no more with Him.
These numb skull stiff necked people were just like The Galatians – they were precursors of those that Paul had to deal with later on. They thought they knew a better way, a way based upon their own initiative and motivation, their own efforts and their own vain imaginings of salvation under their own fuel and steam and not to mention their own terms and conditions. These bods had no use for The Holy Spirit, why would they, they were self-sufficient via their own righteousness through obedience to The Law – The Commandments.
Move forward a decade or so, to Paul’s time, and we then have these same kinds of vile wretched people who thought that The Holy Spirit’s saving Power was not enough i.e. NOT GOOD ENOUGH for them, can you believe that? So they re-invoked The Law – The Commandments, and obedience to same, in order to become ‘more righteous’ (chuckle, chuckle, chuckle) than their brothers and sisters living under Yashua Messiah’s Glorious Saving Grace being led by The Holy Spirit.
When we stop and think about this, it can only be summed up as gross mind-numbing blasphemous stupidity. What is even more mind-numbing and amazing is The Truth that these same types of stupid people are still with us today and yet, at the same time, profess to be Christians and/or followers of The Way – Yashua Messiah – how does that work!!??
Let’s be clear about this because elsewhere Paul makes it very plain:
Galatians 2:16 (KJV) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of The Law, but by The Faith of Jesus Christ, even (so that) 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. (Brackets and emphasis mine)
Now we must fully comprehend the points Yashua Messiah is explaining here, through Paul:
Point 1) No man is justified i.e. made righteous by the works of The Law. This includes obedience to The Ten Commandments. How do we know that? Easy, because Sabbath Day observance is no longer required under Grace. Everyday is now a Sabbath Day for those who have entered into Yashua Messiah’s Sabbath Rest = everyday is now a Sabbath Day for those who believe totally in Him for their salvation. See Hebrews Chapters 3 and 4 and then read it and internalise it.
Point 2) Mankind is justified only by Yashua Messiah’s Faith i.e. HIS FAITH, NOT OUR FAITH. Yashua Messiah gives us Faith, along with Grace, so that we can believe. Without the free gifts of His Faith and His Grace we would not be able to believe and then build our faith for rewards only upon that Foundation.
Point 3) We are then justified by His Faith and Paul makes that very clear with his statement: “That we might be justified by The Faith of Christ.” Get this clear in your minds, folks, and written on your hearts: YOUR FAITH does not feature in this arrangement, so YOUR FAITH does not feature at all in your salvation – period.
OK, let’s move on, because Paul now starts to lay it on the line:
Galatians 2:17 (KJV) But if seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found to be sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? Let it not be!
So, if we claim to be justified in, through, and by Yashua Messiah’s Sacrifice, His Faith and His Grace and are also found to be sinners, what is going on? Can sinners ever be justified? Can sinners enter The Kingdom of God? Can blemished and spotted bridal gowns attend The Wedding Feast? Nay, God forbid. Hence Paul asks can Yashua Messiah be a pastor of sin? Yet what points out our sin? What reveals our sin? What condemns us for our sins? The Law and The Commandments reveal and point out our sins and then condemns us. So is Yashua Messiah a Pastor of The Law and thereby condemning us or is He a Pastor of Truth, Love, Mercy, Redemption, Forgiveness, Faith and Grace?
Let’s remind ourselves:
Romans 8:1 (KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus.
If there is now no condemnation for those IN Yashua Messiah where has The Law gone and what need is there for The Law and/or The Commanndments? The Law/Commandments or The Whole Law and the ensuing condemnation go hand in hand, as does The Law and obedience, so if there is now no more condemnation how can there be any Law over us? How can there be any need for obedience to The Law or The Commandments if they are no longer over us and condemning us?
Answers on the back of a postage stamp, thank you.
Brother Charles
Is The Father Calling YOU to His Son, Yashua Messiah? 