Justification with God comes not by law-keeping or moral performance but by faith alone in Jesus Christ. Paul shows that all who rely on works are under a curse because no one perfectly keeps God's law. But God gave Abraham righteousness through faith before the law or circumcision, and that same blessing—peace with God and his abiding presence—is extended to Jew and Gentile alike. Christ redeems sinners from the curse by becoming a curse for them, bearing God’s wrath on the cross so that they might receive the promised Spirit through faith and become true children of Abraham.

In Galatians 3:1–6, Paul confronts the Galatians for drifting from the gospel of grace, reminding them that they received the Spirit not by works but by “hearing with faith.” This sermon emphasizes that the Christian life—both its beginning and its continuation—is entirely dependent on God’s grace, received through faith. Good works are not the cause of salvation, but the result of it. Christians must resist the temptation to rely on self-effort and instead daily return to the gospel, trusting in the Spirit’s power for sanctification.

This passage comes at the end of Paul’s bold defense of the gospel of grace—that we are justified by faith, not by works of the law. It’s an audacious claim, and it raises the question: if salvation is by grace, does it matter how we live? Paul’s answer is deeply personal and theologically rich. The Christian life begins with death: “I have been crucified with Christ.” The old self—the one that lived as its own reference point—has died, and now Christ lives in us. The Christian life isn’t about trying harder, giving up, or achieving spiritual greatness. It’s about living in union with Christ—Christ as the reference point for everything we do.

Paul confronts Peter for acting in a way that misrepresents the gospel, reminding us that justification is by faith in Christ alone—not by works or law-keeping. When we misuse God’s law as a means of righteousness, we not only mislead others but also obscure the good news of grace. The law functions like a mirror, showing our need for Christ, while only Christ can make us righteous. Justification is a gift received, not earned or maintained through human effort.

Instead of opening this letter to the Galatian churches with a thanksgiving for them — as Paul normally does — he begins by stating that he is astonished that they are so quickly deserting Jesus. The Galatians didn’t think that they had deserted Jesus! But Paul labors for Christ formed in them through the book of Galatians by demonstrating that departing from true gospel doctrine is deserting Jesus himself. In these first handful of verses, Paul sets out the terms of true gospel doctrine.

Guest Preacher Charisma Clarke