Daily Bread for Dec 10, Gal 1-6

Today’s readings are Gal 1-6.

Galatians is the earliest letter we have from Paul. It was written shortly after the book of James appeared. In Acts 15-16, we saw the onset of doctrinal teaching in the new church. That teaching arose out of necessity because some were trying to teach a false doctrine about the need for circumcision. Galatians also addresses false teaching. While the overall emphasis of Galatians is justification by faith, a radically new teaching in its day, we see Paul’s wisdom in laying it out concisely as a rebuttal to the false teaching that was beginning to permeate the church.

James, Acts 15-16, Galatians and the fact that they all appear early in the new church’s formation make it clear that the church struggled with two unceasing obstacles from its inception -- persecution and errant teaching. Paul makes the point, in his first epistle, that a focus on the gospel in its purest form is the remedy to the false teaching.

In Gal 1, along with the admonition to hold tight to the gospel as they learned it, Paul addresses the fact that even firm believers can be led astray and, at times, lose their focus (Gal 1:11-14).

From the tone of Gal 2-3, it seems the false gospel being taught is one of works. This is very similar to the problem James was addressing, the idea that there was something that a believer needs to do to achieve true salvation. Paul tells the Galatians that they are "justified," reconciled to God and declared righteous. This occurs by faith, not works (Gal 2:16).

Paul contends that works without faith are dead (Gal 2:16). They accomplish nothing. James says faith without works is dead (Jam 2:17). At a casual glance, Paul and James seem to be contradicting each other. But a closer examination reveals an astounding biblical principle.

Both are true.

Our works mean nothing without our faith (Paul). But, if we have faith, the evidence will show in our works (James). Our faith will manifest itself in how we interact with the world we live in. Our works become the tangible testimony of our faith. We shouldn’t have to conjure up good things to do. They should come flowing from us as the natural outcome of our transformation from people who were dead into those who are alive in Christ.

Gal 4 reveals that the false teachers mentioned in the first three chapters have turned the Galatians against Paul and, more importantly, against his teaching. The church has returned to the teaching of the world and legalism, embracing teachers who "make much of them (the Galatians)" so that they might make much themselves (Gal 4:16). Apparently, this has worked because Paul has been newly perceived as the enemy for telling them the truth. One of the great lessons in Galatians is that the church can be seduced by teaching that "tickles the ears" and is man-focused instead of being centered on Christ and the gospel.

The primary issue, as we see in Gal 5:1-3, is, once again, circumcision. The false teachers are teaching the need for circumcision as a way of satisfying the law. Paul encourages the church to "walk by the Spirit." Through false teaching, they have been led to "gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16)." In other words, the primary focus of the Galatian church has become getting their desires and needs to be met. These false teachers have presented a man-focused gospel that says, "There are things you can do (circumcision and such) to become a good person and get what you're looking for out of this Christian life! It's all about you and getting what you want out of your relationship with Christ and the church."

The result of false teaching is contention with the truth and tension against the Spirit (Gal 5:17). The Galatians are now bickering over minor things while the truth is abandoned. Paul wants to expose legalism for what it is, a man-centered, self-righteous teaching that is divisive. Paul contrasts these results of a legalistic approach to the Christian walk with how the Spirit should impact the church in love, joy, peace, patience, etc. (Gal 3:22).

The solution to the problem afflicting the Galatians is to "bear one another's burdens (Gal 6:2) instead of anyone thinking they are something when they are not (Gal 6:3). The church is to share the load, not demand that their burden be carried by someone else (Gal 6:5). This “burden” Paul speaks of is the legalism the false teachers are trying to impose on others.

Paul encourages them to "share all good things with the one who teaches." The implication is "with the one who teaches the truth." This is followed by a warning that what one sows, one will reap. If one sows the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.), those blessings will be reaped. If one sows the works of the flesh (legalism, self-righteousness, etc.), those trials will be reaped.

This is an ancient example of how easy it is to come to church expecting your needs to be met. This can develop into a demand to be satisfied and served. Paul urges the church to come to serve rather than be served, to come to carry someone's burden rather than to demand someone carry yours.

The real reason the Galatian church has slipped back into legalism is that they are looking for a fast and easy way to satisfy the desires of the flesh. Nothing is quicker or easier than a list of "how-to" items designed to get what we want. Some folks have begun teaching the "how-to." The church has embraced it. The net result? The gospel is lost in meeting the desires of the people in the pews instead of meeting the need for the lost world to hear the gospel.