October 26, 2025 - Galatians 1-3

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (1:8), and “so now I say again:  If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (1:9).  Paul says it twice, in quick succession.  Think it’s important to Paul that the Galatians get the gospel right?  Yet, they don’t!  That’s the problem.  They have mixed the gospel of grace with a type of Pharisaical legalism.  The good news is clear:  “A person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus . . . because by works of the law no one will be justified” (2:16).

To Abraham, the Lord had said:  “In you shall all the nations be blessed” (3:8).  “So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (3:9).  That’s us!  We are the “those of faith” and “the sons of Abraham” (3:7)!  We are “Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (3:29)!  That’s some pretty good truths to meditate on!

Not all the blood of beasts

On Jewish altars slain

Could give the guilty conscience peace

Or wash away the stain.

But Christ the heav’nly Lamb

Takes all our sins away,

A sacrifice of nobler name

And richer blood than they.   --Isaac Watts (1709)