Effie Darlene Barba

The early church of Galatia was invaded by many false teachers.  These false churches taught that Salvation began with faith in Jesus Christ; however, once having placed their faith in Jesus the continuance of their salvation was based on their subjection to the law.  Paul’s response in Galatians is crystal clear.  Salvation is by faith alone and not by the works of the law.  The purpose of the law was to reveal to mankind his inability to come to God by works of their own hand.  Over and over again, throughout history; mankind’s failure to live righteously before a Righteous and Just God through works of their own hand. How could it be then that anyone would believe they could keep their salvation by the works of the law performed by their own will?

Christ came, paid the price for our sin.  He was the ultimate sacrifice, setting us free from the law we were so inept to keep by our own power.   Rather we are called to new life in Christ Jesus.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:2-4).

A New Life by Faith Not the Works of the Law

Continue reading “Is Salvation by Faith or by Works of the Law?”

Salvation is an act of God’s Grace.  We cannot obtain it by merit of our own ability. Neither can we live the Christian life through our own strength.  We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ.  Justified by faith means that not only are our sins forgiven; but, that we are declared righteous because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross.  He paid in full our penalty: past, present and future.  When anyone accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, the Holy Spirit seals their salvation.

That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His Glory.  Ephesians 1:12-14.

Therefore, we no longer live under the law with it’s death penalty.  Does that mean I live a life of sin; because, I know the penalty has been removed?  Absolutely not.  Having been justified by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ, I am brought to life to a new life.  The power to live that life comes because the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, placing them in Christ.

ROMANS 8:1-3, 8-9

Continue reading “What Does It Mean to Be Justified by Faith?”

Of all the Apostles, Paul was the most educated in the Scripture; having been taught by Gamaliel, a respected member of the Sanhedrin.  Paul, prior to his conversion was a Pharisee, who because of His intense loyalty to Judaism and the tradition of the elders, he began to persecute the Christians.[1] Yet, when he met and was confronted by the risen Christ; he realized that all this teaching by men had failed to teach him the truth.  Before he began his ministry, he went into Arabia where for three years he studied the Scripture with God alone being his teacher.  “But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12).

Paul had not walked with Jesus while he was on earth. Therefore, for him to become the teacher of the Gentile nation as God had called him, he would need to be taught the truth of Scripture by Jesus Christ before he listened even to the other apostles.  In his letter to the Galatians, Paul outlines this with great detail.  All too often, we as Christians find ourselves satisfied with just attending a church and only learning of scripture by what the preacher says.  Although, this is important; it does not negate our need to daily set aside time to prayerfully study the Scripture ourselves so that we might rightly discern the truth of the gospel. We must not rely solely on what other men tell us.

The Importance of Studying the Scripture

Continue reading “Why Is It Really Important to Study the Scripture?”

It was a perilous time for the early Galatian church.  Having so recently accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ, they were bombarded by false teachers.  Paul recognized the danger of adding legalism to the gospel message.  Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross had ripped asunder the veil standing between God and mankind.  There could be no other means of salvation.  The law had failed; because, the human heart could never attain the righteousness required to commune with a perfectly righteous and just God.  Jesus Christ, left His throne in heaven to walk among men, to suffer, and then to die on a cross, providing the propitiation for our sins. To add anything to that completed work is a heresy; just, as it is a heresy to abandon the cross.  Abandoning the gospel of the Cross is dangerous; because, there is no other means of salvation for sinful man.

Paul did not mince words as he went directly to the heart of the issue.  “I am amazed that you are turning away so soon from God who, in his love and mercy, invited you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ; you are already following a different “way to heaven,” which really doesn’t go to heaven at all.  For there is no other way than the one we showed you; you are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7, TLB).  Abandoning the Cross, the truth of God; is a very dangerous thing; because, there is no other means by which humans may be saved.

Abandoning the Gospel Message of the Cross? We must Never!

Continue reading “Why is Abandoning the Cross a Dangerous thing?”