Galatians 1:1-5; Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ and he was appointed by him and so by God the Father, who is one with the Son, and the Father appointed Christ as Mediator. Grace, includes God's good-will towards us, and his good work upon us and His peace. This comes from God the Father, as the source, through Jesus Christ. But observe, first grace, and then peace; there can be no true peace without grace. Christ gave himself for our sins, to make atonement for us - the justice of God required this and to this he freely submitted. The greatness of the price of sin is so great, that it could not be put away except the Son of God be given for it. Mark well the words, “for our sins.” We need to be redeemed from the wrath of God, and the curse of the law; but also to recover from wicked practices and customs, to which we are naturally a slave to. We are delivered from this present evil world by the sanctification of the Spirit and freed from its condemnation by the blood of Jesus. God does not call us to just accept Jesus, He calls us to be transformed by the blood and the spirit.
Galatians 1:6-9; Those who would establish any other way to heaven other than , will find themselves in a lot of trouble when they face the Lord and are judge what the gospel of Christ revealed by Him. The apostle presses upon the Galatians a due sense of their guilt in forsaking the gospel way of justification; yet he reproves with tenderness, and represents them as drawn into it by the arts of some that troubled them. In reproving others, we should be faithful, and yet endeavour to restore them in the spirit of meekness. Some set up the works of the law in the place of Christ's righteousness, and corrupt the gospel. The apostle solemnly denounces, as accursed, every one who attempts to lay so false a foundation. All other gospels not of Christ, are devices of Satan. To reject the moral law as a rule of life is to dishonour Christ, and destroy Him as the foundation for our justification, we must also accept that all dependence for justification on good works is fatal to those who persist in it. While we are zealous for good works, let us be careful not to put them in the place of Christ's righteousness, and not to advance any thing which may betray others into a delusion like this.
Galatians 1:10-14; In preaching the gospel, the apostle sought to bring persons to the obedience, not of men, but of God. But Paul would not attempt to alter the doctrine of Christ, either to gain their favour, or to avoid their fury. In so important a matter we must not fear the anger of men, nor seek their favour, by using words of men's wisdom. Concerning the manner of how He received the gospel, he had it by revelation from Heaven. He was not led to be a saint merely by education, he had it by revelation from Heaven.
Galatians 1:15-24; Paul was wonderfully brought to the knowledge and faith of Christ. All who are saved, are called by the grace of God; their conversion is wrought by His power and grace working in them. There is little benefit to us to have Christ revealed to us, if he is not also revealed in us. Paul is prepared to obey without hesitating. To glorify God for his power and mercy in saving us, and to serve Him and His people should be our main focus. Let us always remember that Christ is our righteousness.
Galatians 3:23-25; The law did not teach a living, saving knowledge; but, by its rites and ceremonies, and sacrifices, it pointed to Christ, that they might be justified by faith. So the law, as the word properly signifies, is a servant, to lead us to Christ, as children are led to school by servants who have the care of them, that they might be taught by Him the true way of justification and salvation, which is only by faith in Christ. Most men continue to love their sins, being blinded and lulled asleep by Satan, through their own pleasures, interests, and pursuits.
But the awakened sinner discovers his dreadful condition. Then he feels that the mercy and grace of God is his only hope. And the terrors of the law are often used by the convincing Spirit, to show the sinner his need of Christ, to bring him to rely on his sufferings and merits, that he may be justified by faith. Then the law, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, becomes his loved rule of duty, and his standard for daily self-examination. In this use of it he learns to depend more simply on the Saviour - knowing that by his own works he falls short.
Ephesians 2:11-13; Christ and his covenant are the foundation of all the saints hopes. A sad and terrible description is here; but who is able to remove himself out of it? Let us reflect upon a person, separated for ever from the people of God, cut off from the body of Christ, fallen from the covenant of promise, having no hope, no Saviour, and without any God but a God of vengeance, for all eternity? To have no part in Christ! Salvation is far from the wicked; but God is ready to help his people; let us remember the suffering and death of Christ to pay the wages of sin.
Ephesians 2:14-18; Christ made peace by the sacrifice of himself; in every sense Christ is our Peace, the author, centre, and substance of our being at peace with God, and of our union with the Jewish believers in one church. Through the person, sacrifice, and mediation of Christ, sinners are allowed to draw near to God as a Father, and are brought with acceptance into his presence, with their worship and services, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, as one with the Father and the Son. Christ purchased leave for us to come to God; and the Spirit gives a heart to come, and strength to come, and then grace to serve God acceptably (the right way).
Ephesians 2:19-22; The church is compared to a city, and every converted sinner is free of their sin. It is also compared to a house, and every converted sinner is one of the family; a servant, and a child in God's house. The church is also compared to a building, founded on the doctrine of Christ; delivered by the prophets of the Old Testament, and laid by the apostles of the New testament. God dwells in all believers now; they become the temple of God through the working of the Holy Spirit. One of the things we need to understand is that it is the Holy Spirit we communicate with at this time – He is our Lord. Let us then ask if our hopes are fixed on Christ, according to the doctrine of his word? Have we devoted ourselves as holy temples to God through him? Are we habitations of God by the Spirit, are we spiritually minded, and do we produce the fruits of the Spirit? Let us take heed not to grieve the holy Comforter. Let us desire his gracious presence, and his influences upon our hearts. Let us discharge the duties allotted to us, by the gifting He has given us, to the glory of God.
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