By Faith Or By Works? (Galatians 3)

Dear Christian,

Why do you hold your brother to account for his sins? Were not yours and his both paid in full at Calvary?

Understand this: the world we live in is an utterly broken one, though there is hope for the sinner. Those who are not of the faith are not conscious of their sin. They may believe they have done some moral wrong, but as to who authored the morality they affirm, they do not yet know Him.

There is minimally an awareness of sin among all believers. Still, there is much more. For the genuine believer, there is mourning and weeping for his sin. He despises the log in his own eye and is also grieved by the speck in his brother's. But because of the great mercy shown to him by God he extends his hand to him with the sign of compassion rather than judgment. (see Matthew 7:5)

I admit there are times we must speak hard truths to one another. Leaders and those in authority are exhorted to make just judgments between believers. We have at least two examples in Scripture (see 1 Corinthians 5:11-12, Galatians 2:11-14). But we are likewise commanded to live peaceably with one another and also to "aim for restoration” with believers at all times (see 2 Corinthians 13:11-14).

When Paul wrote to the Galatians there were some Jews who believed their fellow Greek converts ought to be circumcised. Having been brought up entrenched in millennia of Jewish tradition their influence spread to others who further called upon members of Christ's church to be circumcised. 

This was no small matter. For over a thousand years, circumcision was perhaps the greatest distinction for the people of God. When a male was circumcised, usually at 8 days old (older for men brought into the family through slavery or adoption) it was an announcement to the Jewish world of his being set apart for God.

When a female was born to a circumcised man, she was included in the family of faith by the LORD’s sign to him as her father. And later, if she was joined in marriage to a circumcised husband, she confirmed the proclamation of her identity, by her submission to the design of God for men and for women.

As this was a problem for the Galatian church, it is no small consequence that we deal with age-old issues presently pervading the local church. There are some who forbid the consumption of alcohol on moral grounds, citing the Old Testament, and believe it is not fitting for the Christian to imbibe. There are others who go further in perverting the grace of God by forbidding certain foods, appropriating the earliest Genesis account as evidence to their position (see Romans 13:13-14:4).

In these matters I am wholly convinced they are matters of conscience (see Romans 14:19-23). Yet, the hot button issues that divide the local church today are far more nuanced in their interpretation.

Take for example the issue of whether one should wear a mask where sickness is prevalent, as has been the case in most every place for the better half of three years during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have been on both sides of the issue, where opinions run strong, and admit I have been weak-minded in my own assertions. I understand now it is not more rhetoric that is needed to satisfy the concerns of each the proponent and his opposite, but compassion.

Only by seeing each other in light of the cross will we begin to move forward as one body united in the same Spirit. In our modern, self-sufficient world, Paul’s counsel to the Galatian church is just as applicable as it was then, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

This is a vitally important word for the Christian as it echoes Jesus's command, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." And Paul, connecting it to the Levitical law, provides a warning to those who uphold the law as supreme, "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself""

It is therefore the responsibility of every Christian to be aware of the Holy Spirit testifying within him. "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

We who are of the faith understand that by works of the law no man ever was, is, or will be justified (see Galatians 2:15-17). As this is true in justification, it is likewise true for sanctification. Faith, not works, is the beginning, the source of all sanctification. To this end, Paul writes, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?"

If the truth of God’s gospel is for you and for me, it is also for our brothers and sisters in Christ. When dealing with conflict, we do not appeal to works of the law, for this is unfruitful. Neither do we trust in New Testament imperatives for our righteousness. No, we trust in Christ crucified for our sins and we admonish one another for our collective neglect of the magnitude of our Savior’s sacrifice for us.

By faith we are saved by God's grace in Christ Jesus our Lord. By faith we walk in newness of life. And by this faith we despise our old selves, shedding the sins that so easily entangle us, so we may press on to obtain the prize of the upward call of God in Christ, who reigns from heaven above for all eternity.

"For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them."" Do not miss the force of this. Paul says, "All things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." All means all. Most is not all. Some is not all. One is not all.

Jesus knows our hearts and our proclivity to be unforgiving. To the woman caught in adultery, he says, "Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?" And hearing her reply in the negative, he says,  "Neither do I. Go and sin no more." Jesus shows us that if we have something against our brother, appealing to a work they must do to earn our forgiveness will ultimately condemn us in the end (see Matthew 18).

And the Shepherd's words are most clearly heard in the sanctified sinner’s ears, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." Paul reminds the saints, "But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another."

Be careful then how you judge one another. Is your right standing before God by faith or by works? Is your right standing before your brother by faith or by works? And is his right standing before you by your own faith or by his works? "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Christian, Jesus was crucified for you, yet equally crucified for your brother. You stand before God your Father by the precious, poured-out blood of His Son. Therefore, do not deprive one another of the blessings of God afforded to you in Christ by your relationship with each other.

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Selah.