Galatians – Week 10 – Day 1

READ 

Galatians 5:11-12 

11 Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. 12 I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves. 

Paul was being persecuted and that indicated he was preaching a message of grace rather than one of law-keeping. The Judaizers would have agreed with him if he were preaching the need to keep the law in order to be made right with God. Note how he summarized his message: “salvation through the cross of Christ.” It is only by grace through faith in what Christ accomplished on the cross that one has salvation. 

REFLECT 

How is it with you? Are you grateful for salvation by trusting in Jesus or are you trying to keep a list of rules to be saved? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about never minimizing the need for good works after a person has salvation in Jesus. There should be many good works done in His name out of thankfulness. But this is much different than thinking you can earn salvation by good works. Read Romans 4:4-8 and Ephesians 2:10. The Ephesians verse comes after telling people they are not saved by works of any kind.