Letter to the Galatians
“The Declaration of Independence of Christian Liberty”
The great reformer Martin Luther loved this letter; he called Galatians his “Catherine von Bora” after his wife; because, he said, “I am married to it.” Leon Morris wrote, “Galatians is a passionate letter, the outpouring of the soul of a preacher on fire for his Lord and deeply committed to bringing his hearers to an understanding of what saving faith is.” The Scottish minister, P. T. Forsythe, said, “The secret of the Lord is with those who have been broken by his cross and healed by his Spirit.” Galatians exalts these two things: the cross of Christ as the only way a person can get right with God, and the Spirit of Christ as the only way a person can obey God.
Christian Freedom is not the right to do as I wish, but the power to do as I should.
Many scholars believe that Galatians was written in the late 40’s or the early 50’s. An approximate date of A.D. 50 is often given. It seems that Paul wrote this letter before the Jerusalem Council mentioned in Acts 15, because although he mentions several trips to Jerusalem, he makes no mention of the council. Because the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 dealt with the exact issues Paul writes about, it would seem strange if the Council had already happened, yet he made no mention of it. If it is true that Galatians was written around A.D. 50, then Paul would have been a Christian for about 15 years, being converted on the road to Damascus around A.D. 35 (taken from Enduring Word commentary).
In the first two chapters Paul defends the Gospel of Grace. In chapters three and four he more thoroughly explains the gospel and really leans into freedom from legalism. In the final two chapters Paul works out the application of this Gospel of Grace and especially the freedom it supplies to love and serve. In all three sections there are some broad and beautiful themes:
Labor/Liberty/Life
Authority not Opinion/Freedom not Bondage/Spirit not Flesh
Biographical Explanation/Doctrinal Exposition/Practical Exhortation
Before we begin Galatians tomorrow, we should all take a few moments and ask the Spirit to search our hearts. Is there is any hurtful way in you, anything that is impeding the flow of rivers of living water from your innermost being? Do I have a works mentality or even subtle tendencies in this direction? Do I follow a list of do’s and don’ts that if I keep, I think I have merited God’s favor and blessing? Do I have a “do” mentality by which I am seeking the applause of others? Do I experience joy when circumstances dictate otherwise? Am I living according to the lusts of my flesh or in the power of the Spirit?
In the meantime, you may be interested in this excellent video by The Bible Project which breaks Galatians down in a beautiful and visually enjoyable way…and it takes less than 10-minutes!
