The Book of Galatians: Grace for the Walk

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 20, 2012

The Book of Galatians: Grace for the Walk

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 6:14-18. This is some of the Scripture that we also covered yesterday. We will focus on verses 16 and 18 as a platform to complete our review of the Book of Galatians.

“¹⁴ But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

¹⁵ For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

¹⁶ And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.” Galatians 6:14-18.

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We again see the Christian life described as a walk. We remember a similar “walk” description in the previous chapter. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16.

The Pharisees lay law upon law on the people: “And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.” Matthew 23:4.

In contrast, Christ tied up the heavy loads of the law and laid them on His own shoulders and gave us His Spirit as a yoke: “in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”. Romans 8:4.

Whether you try to keep the Law (circumcision) or don’t try to keep the Law (uncircumcision) will not ultimately determine whether or not you are saved. What matters is whether or not you are a new creation. “And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” Verses 15 and 16.

But, we need grace to even just walk. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.” Verse 18.

Part of that grace is the Book of Galatians. Let us continue our review from what we started yesterday.

11. “But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise …”

“The purpose of the Law was not to impart righteousness and life to man, but rather the purpose of the Law was to “shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”

12. “The Unconditional and Immutable Promise of Blessing by God”

“Today’s Scripture presents four points as to why the Law does not invalidate nor change the promise of blessing by God. First, verse 15 focuses on the unchangeable (immutable) nature of the promise of God’s blessing. Second, verse 16 focuses on the recipients of God’s blessing: Abraham and Christ. We are blessed in Christ. Third, verse 17 focuses on the time sequence of the promise of God and the giving of the Law. The subsequent Law does not change God’s previous promise. Fourth, verse 18 focuses on the contrast between a conditional blessing based on man’s weak and changing performance under the Law compared to an unconditional blessing based on the strong immutability of God’s Word. God grants the blessing or inheritance on the basis of His promise, not on the basis of our performance under the Law.”

13. “the curse of the Law”

“Thus, the “curse of the Law” is not the isolated and inherent quality of the Law itself. Rather, the “curse of the Law” is its affect on those who depend on it to become righteous.”

14. “True Faith Seeks Blessing a/k/a Reward”

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Abraham exhibited faith in seeking a reward. “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” Genesis 15:1”

15. “Sola Christo (Christ Alone): Through Faith, We Have Complete Salvation in Him”

“Here is how the Reformed Belgic Confession describes this work of the Spirit (“the Holy Ghost”), this hearing with faith, and that all things that we need for salvation are in Christ.

Article 22: Of Faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him. For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ, or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in him. Therefore, for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy: for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Savior. …”

16. “Sola Gratia (Grace Alone): “I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.”

“Reformed Doctrine destroys any hope in man achieving any righteousness through the Law. Reformed Doctrine teaches that all that man achieves through the Law is only spiritual death, “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Reformed Doctrine builds up hope and trust in God. Reformed Doctrine proclaims the works of God including but not limited to: “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”.

On the other hand, Arminianism builds up hope in man achieving righteousness through the Law. It maintains that man is not dead in sin, only injured and affected by sin. It maintains that man has “free-will”. Arminianism focuses on man and places its hope on him.

Reformed Doctrine does not cling to hope in man nor hope in the works of the Law. But rather, Reformed Doctrine clings to Christ and calls out: “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.“

17. “Sola Fide (Faith Alone): “straightforward about the truth of the gospel”

“And so, we live our lives “straightforward” by “faith alone” and “walk by the Spirit” trusting the Spirit to produce love, joy, peace, and other fruit of the Spirit. We do not alienate new Christians, standing aloof in our self-righteousness, but we patiently teach them Reformed Doctrine so that they too will trust God and patiently wait for the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith in Christ.”

18. “The Works of God”

“Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism recognizes and proclaims the works of God. Arminianism recognizes and proclaims the alleged “free-will” of man.

Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism recognizes and proclaims God’s work in “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and P” of “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of salvation. Arminianism pins salvation on the wisdom and will of man, because they maintain God loves everyone, Christ died for everyone, and the only distinguishing reason some are saved, and others are not, is the wisdom and will of those who chose Christ.”

19. “Reformed Doctrine: “this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!”

“The Book of Galatians is devoted to hammering home the point of our freedom from the Law. In the last chapter of Galatians, we read: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

20. “a different gospel”

“This Scripture refers to “a different gospel”, and this Scripture recognizes such a danger of it that it pronounces a curse on those who would dare preach it. Many are eager to claim that they preach Christ and present the true gospel according to the Word of God. But, it may be “a different gospel”. There are many false preachers and teachers. As Calvin stated in his Commentary to Galatians 1:6-9: “To know what are the leading points of the gospel, is a matter of unceasing importance. When these are attacked, the gospel is destroyed.”

In conclusion, God has given us the grace of the Book of Galatians. God will also give us grace to walk accordingly. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.” Verse 18.

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