I have been preparing for the message on Sunday today and have been really struck (once again) at how strong the message is from Paul warning the Galatian church about legalism.
In this verse he says to the Galatians, “Are you nuts?’”
Well, that is my paraphrase of this statement (Galatians 3 v 1).
In my translation they are accused of foolishness, in another version he asks, “Are you people of Galatia mad?”
Paul has given them the true gospel, the message of grace, the doctrine of the sufficiency of Christ, and he is amazed that they are being drawn away to something else.
Something else in addition to Jesus is not the gospel, it is not even a gospel, it is something completely different (Galatians 1 v 6 and 7).
When people try and add to what Jesus has done they are mad.
When people try to become more righteous through works of self-effort and religious performance they are mad.
These might sound like strong words (and they are) but they are not mine; they are what Paul was saying to the Galatians in the Word of God and therefore what God, through Paul, is saying to us today.
Putting trust in anything other than faith in Jesus is not only unbiblical and doctrinally wrong; it is just plain stupidity!
Don’t be stupid tonight, put your trust fully in Jesus and nothing else, no works or deeds or religious performance is required to be righteous, accepted and blessed by God.
You started on this Christian walk through faith so continue in the same way (Colossians 2 v 6).
Speak this out today…..”Thank you Lord for the finished work of Jesus Christ and thank you that His work, as a gift of grace through faith, is enough”.
Galatians 3 v 1…..O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Heilan Word Ministries 