Paul Cuts to the Chase

Paul writes a strong message to the Believers in Galatia. He starts out

by giving his credentials then he says:

It was grace that put Jesus on the cross.

It was grace that delivered you from sin.

It was grace that delivered you from evil.

Side note:  I have heard that word, grace, thrown around in

a variety of ways. It rolls off the tongue so easily but behind

the word, grace, stands the mighty God. He does something

for us that has never been done and which is not present in any  

religion today. But, I can so easily be drawn away from the core 

of the gospel. Look at what Paul says in his opening volley:

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who 

called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different

gospel...”

Then on down in Chapter 3:

“O foolish Galatians!  Who has bewitched you? It was before 

your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 

Let me ask you only this:  Did you receive the Spirit by works 

of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish?

Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the

flesh?”

Reread the first three chapters of Galatians. Paul is distraught!

The foundation of Christianity had been attacked in such a way

as to undermine the gospel of grace. A distorted message had 

been received--grace plus law, grace plus circumcision, grace

plus anything--changes the message Paul preached and could

have, will always, bring an end to freedom, to fullness, 

to fruitfulness, and, eventually to the church. Paul saw it so 

clearly. I can imagine the desperate cries and groans uttered by

Paul on behalf of this newborn, newly planted church.