From Galatians: The True Gospel of Grace Versus the Bondage of the Law
Orientation
The authority of the Gospel is often mistakenly sought in human endorsement, religious pedigree, or institutional approval, which trades God's glory for the fleeting approval of the flesh.
- Seeking authority from men moves you away from the true Gospel.
- This carnal thinking plagued the Pharisees and the Corinthians, who were captivated by personalities and credentials.
- Accepting the testimony of men over God's testimony risks falling under a curse.
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Galatians 1:1)
— Galatians 1:1
Clarification
The Gospel is not a different message with different content, but a subtle perversion that uses Gospel language to impose a works-based righteousness, mixing grace with law.
- The threat is not open sin, but subtle, zealous, law-mixing religion.
- This perversion brings believers into bondage to the flesh and dead works.
- It undermines the believer's standing in grace and liberty in Christ.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7)
— Galatians 1:6-7
Structure
The Gospel's authority rests solely on the resurrection of Christ and the direct divine revelation given to Paul, establishing a new creation distinct from Israel's old covenant.
- Paul's apostleship and message derive from Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him.
- This authority is independent of Jerusalem, James, or any human tradition.
- The foundation is God's testimony concerning His Son, centered on Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. (1 John 5:9)
— 1 John 5:9
Weight-Bearing Prose
The Gospel’s authority comes directly from God through Christ’s resurrection, not from human endorsement. Paul’s apostolic authority was derived from Jesus Christ and God the Father; his message has divine authority independent of human approval. To seek authority in men is to operate in the flesh, which leads to bondage. The Judaizers perverted the Gospel by mixing grace with law, imposing circumcision and legalistic practices. This is not another gospel in content, but a corruption that uses Gospel language to impose works-based righteousness. Paul condemns this as accursed. The true Gospel is God’s own testimony concerning His Son. Believers must obey this divine truth rather than follow human authority. The Christian life is sustained by the hearing of faith and the Spirit’s supply, not by works of the law. Sanctification is the ongoing manifestation of Christ’s life within by faith, not incremental moralism. The Church is a distinct, new creation entity, revealed to Paul, separate from Israel’s old covenant and temple-centered religion.
Integration
Your assurance and standing are secure in the Gospel that comes from God Himself. The message you believed—that Christ died for your sins and rose again—is God’s own testimony. Its authority rests on the resurrection, a work of God alone. You are not called to seek approval from men or institutions. Christ has delivered you from this present evil age, including religious systems of self-righteousness. Your life and sanctification are found in union with Christ, ‘Christ in you,’ a free gift of grace. There is no pressure to advance or earn. Rest in the finished work of Christ and the supply of the Spirit. This is your landing place, your assurance. The liberty and blessing you have are found only in Him.