Personal Checklist
Galatians 3:1-3, 10-14, 19-26
In his book, “The Walk,” author and songwriter Michael Card writes, “Jesus did not come primarily to give us truths. He came to give us himself.” Of course we know that when Jesus gave us himself, he also gave us truth, but the point Card makes here is that the Christian faith is not about what we do or what we know; ultimately, the Christian faith is about the Christ who knows us and whom we can know.
Forgetting the faith: The book of Galatians was written to a group of believers who, after having received the faith and beginning their Christian journey strong in the grace of God, began to believe that their works were an essential ingredient in their salvation.
A group of Judaizers had preached to the Galatians that they must be circumcised if they were to experience the full salvation of Jesus Christ. Paul writes in Galatians 3 to assure the Galatians of the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for their full pardon from sin.
Godly actions should come as a result of one’s salvation, but right actions are not a requirement for salvation. God’s act of salvation is God’s free gift based on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, not on the works of any man.
Pursuing a religious checklist: Many people follow a checklist to try to please God. The things you “check off” on your list may include daily devotion, Scripture memorization, regular church attendance, and listening to Christian music.
Your checklist gives the appearance of godliness, but appearances can be deceiving. If you believe that your checklist somehow makes you holy in the sight of God, you have been “bewitched,” to use Paul’s term.
In Galatians 3:10-14, Paul shows his readers that justification is not found in adherence to the law, “for all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse.” Instead, “Christ has redeemed us by becoming a curse for us.” Your salvation is made secure, not in the works of your hands, but through the nail-pierced hands of Jesus Christ.
Embracing faith in Christ: What then is the purpose of God’s law? Paul writes in Galatians 3:19-26 that God’s law exists not to bring salvation, but to point people toward their need for a savior. Because of the law, we know what sin is and we recognize the gravity of our sinful condition. Put simply, the law exists to point us to our need for a mediator, a savior, who is Jesus – the ultimate fulfillment of God’s law. Jesus has given us more than law; he has given us himself as our savior and guide.
Thompson– Lessons by Craig Thompson, pastor of Malvern Hill Church, Camden. Thompson earned his B.A from Presbyterian College and is pursuing a Ph.D. from Southern Seminary, where he also earned his M.Div.