Galatians by Dennis McCallum (2006)

The church in Galatia was being invaded by false teachers proclaiming that grace was not enough; extra works were needed in order to be saved. Paul explains the real gospel - that we are saved by faith in Christ alone, and gives his evidence for why this message is real truth that we must confront. Paul was not preaching the gospel in order to please men, but because he knew his message was from God.

In this letter, Paul fights accusations from law teachers that have invaded the Galatian church. These false teachers claim that Paul has no authority and only teaches a partial gospel. Paul replies with the story of where he got his gospel, using his own life to show that salvation must be through faith alone. He then describes a moment where law teachers almost swayed the entire early church, a warning to the Galatians that they must turn from trying to adhere to the law and come under grace.

Paul continues to expand upon his message to the Galatians, that we are saved by faith, not works. For if we could be saved by works, then Jesus' death on the cross was pointless. Paul then addresses three questions he believes the Galatians will raise: 1) has Grace always been God's plan, 2) if so, then why did God give us the Law, and 3) if we're not under Law, why should we seek God's plan?

Paul addresses Law versus grace with regard to our spiritual growth. While under the Law, we try to bring about God's promises using self effort, whereas under grace we obey God's will and watch as He fulfills His promises. It is surprisingly easy to be a walking believer and still fall prey to a law mentality, where we think we must work to God. What are signs of a law follower, and how do we get back under grace?

Grace frees us from enslavement to sin, but how do we stay free? How do we grow with God? We must actively think in line with the spirit and not with our flesh. Our role in spiritual growth is to seek, believe, and receive God's changing power.

In order to see spiritual growth in our lives, we must have a mind set on the spirit and seek out God's transforming power. Paul describes a stagnant life lived for self, one that ends in bitterness. He then describes a life lived sacrifically loving others, the kind of life we can live as we grow with God. What does it look like to love God's way?

Paul has been discussing how to achieve spiritual growth. He now gives examples of what it looks like to live a transformed life. When we live our lives according to the Spirit, we live to serve others.