Tuesday, August 6, 2024
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27 KJV).
Of what two “exclusions” in the Bible should we be aware?
With it made abundantly clear our religious works are not enough to impress God (Romans 3:9-20), Paul reveals the Gospel of the Grace of God in an expanded form.
While not employing these exact words, religious people everywhere still express this general attitude: “No, I do not want God’s grace, all that He is free to do for me through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for my sins. Instead of the ‘Jesus-based acceptance system,’ I prefer to perform or work to receive God’s blessings, the ‘Law-based acceptance system.’ I can be just as good as Jesus!”
Notice the other “exclusion,” in Galatians chapter 4, verse 17: “[9] But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? [10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. [11] I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain…. [17] They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. [18] But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. [19] My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, [20] I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. [21] Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?”
The entire Book of Galatians compares and contrasts works-religion and God’s grace. False teachers with their Law-based acceptance system had led the Galatians away from Paul’s special ministry and message. They were also shutting out Paul’s (grace) influence from their assemblies, excluding these saints from their Apostle. Whether challenging or denying or counterfeiting his apostleship (as in 1 Corinthians 9:1-3; 2 Corinthians 10:10-12; 2 Corinthians 11:13-23), or promoting their bondage to rules and regulations (see Galatians 5:1-12; Galatians 6:12-15), the false teachers motivated the Galatians to abandon Pauline doctrine.
Beware, friends: many such dangerous people lurk in Christendom today. We had better exclude them and their teaching from our lives, or we have no (!) hope or prayer of surviving Satan’s deception!
Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂
333 Words of Grace 