Galatians 3:1-14

Galatians 3:1-14 

Attention Grabber – “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?”

– Galatians 3:1

“Bewitching” (Gk: baskaino) – to beguile, enchant, mesmerize with evil intent 

** Bewitching Agents:

• News Media

• Social Media

• Celebrities

• Satan

• Our “Flesh”

The Result:  Foolishness = literally: not thinking

• = figuratively: stupid, intellectually lazy, unwilling to engage the mind

Practices for Staying Unbewitched in a Bewitching Culture

Practice 1 - Choose faithful sources.

Galatians 3:1b-2 – “Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law or by believing what you heard?”

“Clearly Portrayed” = Placarded, publicly exhibited

Point: Trusting any other source before or contrary to the Bible is dangerous and unwise.

Practice 2 – Practice zero tolerance deviation.

Galatians 3:3 – “Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”

Point: The Salvation Process begins and ends with Grace, not works.

C. S. Lewis – “An open mind, in questions that are not ultimate, is useful. But an open mind about ultimate foundations either of Theoretical or Practical Reason is idiocy. If a man’s mind is open on these things, let his mouth at least be shut.”

Practice 3 – Follow faithful examples.

Galatians 3:6-7 – “Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.”

Note 1: Abraham preceded Moses (and, therefore, the Law) by 430 years! ...yet...Abraham was saved.

Note 2: Abraham was saved before he was circumcised.

Genesis 17:24 – “Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised.”

Galatians 3:8 – “The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

Point: The best role models point us to grace.

Practice 4 – Remember Facts...reject opinion.

John R. W. Stott – “The law requires works of human achievement; the gospel requires faith in Christ’s achievement. The law makes demands and bids us obey; the gospel brings promises and bids us believe.”

** Here are the essential “facts” Paul wants noted:

v. 1b – Jesus crucified in the crux of our salvation

v. 9 – Faith activates God’s blessings.

vs. 10 – Law = Cursing; Faith = blessing

v. 11 – “The righteous will live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)

Helpful Questions to Discern Fact from Opinion:

1. To what degree do I find this new teaching present and illustrated in Scripture?

2. Does this new teaching emphasize faith instead of works for salvation?

3. Does the life of this new teacher consistently model, not only what he/she teaches, but

   what Christ taught?

The Bottom Line – “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

- Galatians 3:14