Galatians is a favorite Biblical book used by those interested in ignoring Old Testament commandments. Paul hammers the Galatians because they are "turning to a different gospel" Gal 1:6. A common interpretation is that the Galatians are in trouble because they are trying to observe the law.
What is the problem here? Is Paul actually teaching that these believers abandon the God's commandments? Is the law itself opposed to the true gospel or is he teaching them to abandon the way they are using the law and what they hoped to gain by obeying it?
When we read Galatians, like a bird dog on a hot trail, we focus on the bad old "Law." Let us, for a moment, shift our focus to the context of the letter.
"Titus was not compelled to be circumcised..." Gal 2:3
"How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs" Gal 2:14
"Justified by faith in Christ and not (justified) by observing the law." Gal 2:15
"If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
Gal 2:21
"All who rely on observing the law are under a curse..." Gal 3:10
"Clearly, no one is justified before God by the law..." Gal 3:11
"Does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!" Gal 3:17
"Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!"
Gal 3:21
Key: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles by faith, the promise of the Spirit." 'Gal 3:13-14
"Do you wish to be enslaved by them (idols - those who by nature are not gods) all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!" Gal 4:9
Paul is reprimanding the Galatians for the way they are using of the law, not the law itself. The gospel consistently proclaims that justification is found in Jesus Christ but the Galatians are falling back into "another gospel" by:
1. Forcing Gentiles to observe Jewish customs (primarily their oral tradition)
2. Seeking justification in observing the law
3. Reverting to pagan festival practices by observing "special days, months, and years".
Regarding point #3, it is commonly assumed that Paul is repudiating Jewish traditions. Does the context support that Paul is referring to Jewish Holy days here?
"Formerly, when you did not know God..." Gal 4:8
Is Paul addressing Gentile converts or Jews here?
"You are turning back to those weak and miserable principles..." Gal 4:9
Gentiles do not turn back to Jewish traditions, but to pagan rituals.
"Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you..." Gal 4:10
The Galatian Gentile converts continue to celebrate the pagan festivals which have nothing to do with Yahweh or Christ. Instead of thinking "Sabbath", try plugging in Halloween, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Sunday.
It is a gross misinterpretation to assume that Paul is condemning those who honor the Sabbath or those who observe the Lord's Passover (supper). Paul does admonish those who seek justification before God through "obedience", but this is not even the point here.
Jesus Christ is our justification but the Gospel message is consistently clear that we honor God as we continue upholding God's commands in love, and respect for him.
The Sabbath is just as much a command as do not murder and do not worship idols. The Sabbath was established by God, not the Jews. Disobedience or "lawlessness" is sin. Should we proudly reject a clear commandment of God (sin) in order to demonstrate that we are now "under grace" and not "under law"? Heaven forbid!
Does Paul ever suggest that the law itself is unrighteous or evil or obsolete. The problem with the Galatians was their reliance on Law rather than faith for the purpose of justification and fellowship (Gal 2:11-14).
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Gal 3:3
Paul is addressing a particular problem. We should not reinterpret the rest of the scriptures because of a poorly interpreted verse from Galatians. Now that is "preaching a different Gospel."
Consider that reliance on the Law was just as much a mistake in the OT as it is in the NT. (Gal 2:15) Remember that the Jew sinned. This was always true for the Jew or there would have been no need for sacrifices either in the earthly temple or in the true temple in heaven. God's chosen people have never been justified by observing the Law. A works based Judaism was as much a "false gospel" as a works based Christianity is today.
Conclusion:
The problem I have with modern western Christianity is our weak foundations. We claim to worship Jesus Christ yet we worship him in vague moral terms and with pagan traditions. Jesus came to earth in fulfillment of a rich heritage given to the Jews by God. As we brush off this heritage as "Jewish" we have just forgotten all the "questions" Jesus anwered on the cross. If we don't accept what sin is in God's eyes and we don't accept what righteousness is in God's eyes how can we turn around and claim to love God? We worship God the way we want and trample on his grace. What will he say to us on that last day!
"On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. John 14:20 |
