The Galatians Gave Into Religious Pressure

Jesus sent Paul into cities to proclaim the gospel of God's grace (Acts 20:24).

Four of these cities were located in Galatia (Acts 13-14).

Paul was invited to speak at the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, where he explained the message of grace (Acts 13).

His message was that forgiveness and righteousness are received through faith in Jesus apart from the law of Moses.

Many of the people hearing Paul speak were so impacted by his message that they asked Paul to return the next Sabbath and continue teaching about grace.

The following Sabbath nearly the whole city turned out to hear Paul.

Though the leaders of the synagogue were not excited about Paul's message, many of the people were.

However, the people quickly gave into the pressure of the leaders to turn away from grace and back to the law.

The Galatians turning away from grace prompted Paul to write a letter to them to once again explain the gospel of grace, hoping his explanation would compel them to return to grace.

Paul summarized the message of grace in one sentence:

Galatians 2:21

"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

In Galatians 5:1, Paul encouraged the Galatians to resist pressure to abandon grace:

Galatians 5:1

"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.”

The same pressure to abandon grace exerted upon the Galatians exists today.

It is the pressure to obtain a righteous standing before God through a law-based, disciplined-based, or discipleship-based program.

Failure to follow and fulfill the program creates guilt in many people, causing them to feel distant from God.

It is in these pressurized environments that we must remember Paul's words to the Galatians:

Galatians 2:21

"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Galatians 5:1

"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.”

I would like to add one more verse from Paul that may be helpful for those being pressured to set aside grace:

Romans 5:1-2

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”

Stand in freedom.

Stand in peace.

Stand in grace.

Do not let anyone move you away from them.

If this blog was helpful, you may enjoy reading Brad’s Book The Story of Grace.

You may also enjoy his commentary on Galatians, Return To Grace.

For all of Brad’s books, CLICK HERE.