Is the Sacrifice of Christ Enough?
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again, I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Gal. 5:1-6.
Introduction
At the time of the writing of Paul to the Galatian Church was very important because they had become very unpredictable and inpatient and curious for the new. Many Jews lived in the cities of Asia minor and there was a constant effort by them to pervert the gospel of Christ. (1:7).
While many insisted that salvation was in Christ works was also necessary for salvation. Judaizing was behind this legalistic error and many Galatian Christians or beginning to yield to it and the bondages of observing certain days, month, years times religious holidays, etc. Paul destroyed all arguments that were in favor of mixing the law with faith by pointing out that Abraham was justified by faith alone 430 years before the mosaic law was given. Paul pointed out that a mature Christian was not because they kept the law but because of the Holy Spirit through progressive sanctification. The law is divided into three parts the ceremonial law, civil law, and the moral law. They once again tried to introduce to the Galatian church the ceremonial law given in the mosaic law to be acceptable to God for Salvation.
Freedom in Christ-Positional Sanctification
Your salvation can’t never be earned. It is a gift not by works. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph. 2:8-9.
Stand Firm
Resist the temptation or false teachers that say you need to do something else to be acceptable to God. Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. I Cor. 16:13
Don’t be Entangled Again.
Resist this trap of both man and Satan. Do not become snared from within. The yoke is to carry something that you were not to carry.
Legalism- Fallen Away from Grace
• Yoke of Slavery-Religious Ordinances. Circumcision was part of the ordinances of Jewish ceremonial law. They felt this made them acceptable to God. The Jewish religion like other religions is based on works.
• Jesus only movement.
• Water Baptism-is identification not salvation
• Baptized in the Holy Spirit- gives us power to complete the work of the gospel, but it is not salvation.
• Fasting-good when God directs you.
• Constantly in Church. Church will not solve things you need to fix.
• Self-righteous person- always criticizing others because they think they are God.
• Who is your neighbor?
• Hypocrisy
Following the Law breaks our liberty and salvation in Christ.
• Your union with Christ is broken.
• You fall from grace because you trust your works more than the cross of Calvary.
• You can’t be saved by works and Christ.
• Consequences for broken Communion.
o Diseases attacking your body.
o Unanswered prayers.
o Lack of peace in your life.
o Hard to get along with others.
Faith expressed through Love-Progressive Sanctification
We are not justified by love but our faith is a living act of love towards others. Repent to restore Communion with God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. Rom. 12:1-2