December 21, 2024

Galatians is one of my favorite books in the Bible. It goes along with my mission of helping Christians become free from past transgressions, whether from things they’ve done to themselves or from what others have done to them. In chapter 2, Paul clarifies that as a Christ-follower, neither Jewish Christians nor gentile Christians have to follow the Mosaic law. The purpose of Christ’s death on the cross was to do away with the strict adherence to that law because it was impossible to keep every jot and tittle of it. That doesn’t mean you can go around sinning at will; that would be unbecoming of your position in Christ, but it does mean you don’t have to suffer hell if you make a mistake. Believe me, we are not perfect; if we were, we wouldn’t need Jesus, but I need him, and so do you. If righteousness came from following the law of Moses, then Jesus died in vain. There is a guide for us to follow to keep a good conscience: the 10 Commandments; all but one commandment was repeated in the New Testament, and that was the one about keeping the Sabbath. If you live for Jesus, you don’t need to think about the commandments; you can easily follow them without hesitation. The point is not to fall into the trap of legalism; Jesus set us free from all that.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:20-21