(Lesson 512)(01-10-13) Galatians 3:1-12, "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? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them."
In today's lesson, Paul continues his rant against the Galatians for attempting to interfuse the old Hebrew law and the new law of faith in Jesus Christ. To do so is like trying to mix oil and water.
I can't, by any discussion, make this text any clearer than Paul has written it. Therefore, I will end this short commentary hoping that those whom have doubts as to whether it is, or is not, their "good works" that maintains their salvation, will study and absorb what Paul is saying here.
In essence, if one places his/her faith in good works, they CANNOT also have faith in the blood of Christ. We all must choose one or the other.
If "good works" can save us, Jesus died in vain.~
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