“I do not set aside the Grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through The Law, Christ died for nothing.” Galatians 2:21 (Galatians 1-6)
Galatia is a Roman province where Paul’s evangelism has seen many gentiles come to believe. Soon, Jewish teachers who believe all Christians must first become Jewish proselytes, wreak havoc in the new churches. Paul is distraught by this false teaching and pens his most strongly worded letter, paralleling the content of the recent Jerusalem Conference, encouraging a return to salvation through faith, a new covenant relationship with Christ and freedom from The Law.
The argument made by the Jewish leaders is that of Abrahamic heritage made known through shared culture, namely circumcision and dietary restrictions. Paul defends it as faith that made Abraham a man of God and our sharing this faith brings us into kinship with him and his heritage. Anyone who believes Christ is the Son of God and Risen Savior is a child of Abraham and of God.
By restricting salvation to obedience to Jewish Law, these misinformed people attempted to trademark Jesus, yet again, for their personal agendas. The Gospel, the Law of Christ, is known only through faith and manifested in Love.
Have a Lovely Day!
Gretchen