September 16

Breaking Free From Fake Religion

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1). Paul’s words pierce the lies of religion based on human effort. The Galatians had begun in faith but had slipped into adding works to their salvation. We see the same today: men and women trust in Christ, then turn to church ceremonies, traditions, or their own religious performance to try to gain acceptance with God.

Scripture bluntly asks: “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:2). The answer is clear: none. Not one of them was saved by trying to keep rules and regulations. Not one was forgiven by checking off a list of boxes. Salvation was by hearing the gospel and believing it. Romans 10: 17 is straightforward, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Paul adds, “Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). To be more direct: if life began in the Spirit through hearing and believing, why would anyone try to be made perfect by fleshly effort? To depend on works after receiving God’s grace is to blaspheme the cross of Christ. Galatians 2: 21 states, “If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

Instead, the Word turns us to Abraham: “In the same manner also Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness” (Galatians 3:6). And here’s the truth to which we must cling: “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Galatians 3:9). It is not those who work the hardest who are God’s children, but those who believe God’s promise.

The world will tell you faith isn’t enough, that you have to add something to Jesus’ finished work. It’s the same old lie Paul called bewitching. But the Word of God is firm: salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Are you living in the glorious freedom of faith in Christ? Or are you still bound by the heavy chains of trying to earn what God freely gives? Don’t be deceived. Don’t exchange the truth of the gospel for a counterfeit. Trust in Christ alone and walk in the blessing that belongs to those who have faith.

Isaiah 22:1-24:23
Galatians 2:17-3:9
Psalm 60:1-12
Proverbs 23:15-16

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New Testament: Galatians 2:17-3:9

Summary: By Faith, or by Works of the Law? The Righteous Shall Live by Faith, The Law and the Promise

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
~ Galatians 2:20-21

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
~ Galatians 3:1-3

We’ll read about examination in chapter three. It does us good to examine ourselves, to make sure our spiritual experience is valid. Do you have the spirit living within? If you began in the spirit, which, by the way, is the only way to begin, are you now trying to continue in the power of the flesh? We can get off track if our communication with the Lord is not continued each day. Like Abraham, were you saved by faith? And are you now like Abraham, walking by faith?