Carol Swenson
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Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (NIV)
Following the path of legalism means leaving the path of grace, for the two paths cannot converge. In fact, they take us in opposite directions. If we insist on taking our own “way,” we have stepped off “the Way.” The choice can be illustrated in the following verses: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV). In contrast, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NRSV).
Galatians 5:5
But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. (NIV)
Those convinced that they must “work” for their salvation have a very difficult time with the word wait . And yet “waiting by faith” describes much of a Christian’s experience in life. The legalists must live in constant fear and denial, for each day ends with fresh evidence that they have not met the law’s demands. Christians can live daily with the witness of God’s Spirit that we are children of God (see Romans 8:16). In the meantime:
We wait to see our hoped-for righteousness fully revealed at the time God chooses. When we walk by faith, our hope of righteousness in God’s grace contrasts with the vain hope of the legalist, who tries to do it by works.
We wait for Christ’s return and for his merciful verdict on our lives at the final judgment.
With the Spirit’s help, we claim and begin to produce the fruit of righteousness . Though it will not be fully revealed in this life (except through our union “in Christ”), we go on in hope (see Romans 8:18-25). Without him, we would not be able to wait patiently. God gives us the ability to wait and to hope through his Holy Spirit.
In disregarding the law as a basis for salvation, we must not disregard its basic requirement of love. We are saved by faith, not by works. But love for others and for God comes spontaneously to those whom God has forgiven. God forgives us completely, and Jesus said that those who are forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:47). Because faith expresses itself through love, you can check your love for others as a way to monitor your faith.
Galatians 5:8
This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. (NKJV)
This “persuasion” referred to the whole system of salvation by works . Paul did not identify this false teaching as specifically coming from the Judaizers. It was more important that the Galatians would realize that it did not come from Him who calls you. It was God who had called the Galatians (1:6), but he had called them to salvation by his grace, not by their works (see also Romans 9:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 5:24).
Galatians 5:10
I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. (NIV)
Replacing Christ, or adding some conditions or options to the way of salvation, has the same effect as adding yeast to dough . A little bit of disruption can damage an entire church. A pinch of legalism, a little bit of doubt , a certain amount of taking sides, and a small quantity of divisive criticism—and soon the church won’t look at all like what Christ intended it to be.
Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. (NRSV)
Gallery of False Masters
Although we may be trusting Christ as our gracious master, we must be aware of the ongoing attacks by previous “masters” to reassert their power in our lives. The master called Legalism continues to appeal to our belief that we can work our way into God’s favor without any outside help. The master called Labelism offers lip service to Christ, while promoting pride of ownership in having the right beliefs and right connections. And the master called Sinful Human Nature continues to woo us to simply indulge ourselves in whatever might offer pleasure at the moment. These masters vary in their approach, but they never take very long vacations from their efforts to enslave us.
Galatians 5:14
For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (NRSV)
Christian freedom cannot be defined as permission to do anything we want. Rather, it is the opportunity to do what Christ wants, without fear that our performance will be counted against us. We are free from endless ceremonial laws, sin, and fear. But we are not free in the sense of totally governing ourselves or being totally autonomous from Christ. We are under the restraint of the Holy Spirit and the constraint of the higher law, the law of love. Following the path of legalism means leaving the path of grace, for the two paths cannot converge. Freedom must be used to glorify Christ and serve others , not just to fulfill our personal desires.
(Life Application Bible Commentary: Galatians)
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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