Dear Friends, 

We have been looking at Paul’s letter to the Galatians in our Langham Bible Study group. It’s a book in the Bible that I have read many times before but preparing the sessions for each week has opened up a new richness in the text for me. Paul is writing to the church in Galatia (modern day central Turkey) because he is aware that there is a debate emerging between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians there. The Jewish Christians are telling the Gentile Christians that as Christians they need to follow the Jewish law and customs – effectively, if you have going to be a Christian, followers of the Jewish Messiah, then you need to act like a Jew and follow the Law (The Torah). Paul wrote to the Galatians to straighten out this issue and to make it clear that Gentile Christians do need to become Jews to be a Christian. The gospel is now for the Gentiles as Gentiles and not only for the Jews. All are now welcomed into the family of God. 

Present within Paul’s letter to the Galatians is this big discussion about faith vs works. This was a big part of Paul’s writing and a key point during the Reformation. Paul stresses that we are saved by faith in Christ, not by following God’s law. Paul’s criticism of the Jewish Christians is that they were forcing Gentile Christians to follow the Jewish Laws and Customs as though that was what made them Christians. Paul was clear to stress that it is not through doing works of the law that we are saved, but only through faith in Jesus Christ. How often do we fall in this same trap? That we think by being kind to others or going to church that this is what makes a Christian. These are good things, and Paul wouldn’t disagree with this, but these things alone do not save us from the power of sin over our lives. It is only through Jesus that we are saved from sin. If we keep try to save ourselves through our own strength trying to follow the law, then we are sort of saying to Jesus that he died for nothing because we don’t need him to be saved, the law and good works can do that. But we know that the good works and following God’s law is not enough to save us. We are saved from sin and brought back to God only through the death and resurrection of Jesus and our belief in him. 

So does that mean we should disregard the law completely? We’ve been reflecting on this question at Bible Study. Though we are not saved by the law and by doing good works, it doesn’t mean that the law is without any benefit. The laws help act as a signpost to God and his call on our lives as Christians. I think of other words for laws and rules such as disciplines or practices. We might practice the piano because that is what helps become a great pianist. Similarly, we might follow God’s practices (found in the law) which helps to grow in understanding of how to follow God, drawing us closer to God through it. So if you have rules or practices in your Christian life (i.e. going to church on Sunday, praying before a meal, giving money to charities) don’t see them as what makes you a Christian. Rather, let them help point you to Jesus and walking in his ways. We are saved by faith but the works can play an active part in our life of faith, giving us ways to grow and develop our faith, so long as we keep faith in Christ as the centre. 

Every blessing,

Shakeel