Paul’s letter to the Galatians clarifies faith over law.

Galatians and the Law: Biblical Truths Unveiled

Is salvation earned by keeping the law, or is it a gift through faith in Christ? In a recent episode of the Ask A Christian Podcast, we dove into Galatians 2–5 to tackle this question head-on, sparked by a lively debate with Black Hebrew Israelites who insist the law is the path to righteousness. Spoiler: Scripture begs to differ. With Paul’s words as our guide, we unpacked why faith in Jesus, not legalism, defines the Christian life. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wrestling with grace versus works. Let’s dive in!

Galatians and the Law: Paul’s Clear Answer

Early in the episode (~2:30), we jumped into Galatians 2:15–21, where Paul declares, “A person is not justified by works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ.” This isn’t a suggestion—it’s a theological cornerstone. Black Hebrew Israelites argued that adhering to Mosaic law is essential for salvation, but Paul dismantles this in Galatians 3:10–14, stating that “all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse.” Why? Because no one can keep the law perfectly (James 2:10). Christ redeemed us from this curse by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13), a truth we reiterated for nearly two hours (~1:56–2:04). For more on biblical clarity, visit our homepage. What’s your take—does the law still bind us?

Why the Law Can’t Save

Galatians 3:23–29 explains the law’s role as a “guardian” until Christ came, after which “we are no longer under a guardian.” This shift from law to faith unites all believers—Jew, Gentile, slave, free—as “sons of God through faith” (~12:42). The episode highlighted how Black Hebrew Israelites misread this, clinging to legalism over grace. Authority sources like BibleGateway confirm that Galatians consistently prioritizes faith. Even Christianity Today, despite its occasional leanings, acknowledges this in their studies—though we’d advise checking their conclusions against Scripture (see here). For deeper doctrine, explore our catechism lessons. How do you balance grace and obedience in your walk?

Unpacking Galatians’ Freedom

By Galatians 5 (~17:25), Paul’s tone is fiery: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” This freedom isn’t a license to sin but a call to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16–25), producing fruits like love and self-control. The episode’s debate showed how legalism distorts this, binding believers to rules Christ fulfilled. We laughed at the idea of skeptics thinking Christians dodge morality—Paul’s clear: love fulfills the law (Galatians 5:14). Share your thoughts below—how does freedom in Christ shape your daily choices?

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