Sunday, July 26, 2009

Falling from Grace

"You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace." Galatians 5:4

In some circles falling from grace means to lose your salvation. But that is not the meaning of this phrase as it is used in Scripture. The Galatians had been justified (saved, made right with God) through faith in Christ but under the Judaizer's influence they were turning ritual and law-keeping as the means of staying right with God. The apostle states that to do this is to be alienated from Christ and to fall from the way of grace.

Law keeping turns the focus on self and human effort whereas faith turns the focus upon Christ and His grace. Once saved we cannot lose our salvation but we can fall away from relying on grace and so be alienated from Christ the grace-giver. Legalism (5:1) is a sin to be avoided every bit as much as indulgence of the sinful nature (5:13). Only through holding fast to grace can we avoid both extremes and walk in the true freedom of Christ.

Father, may I never depart from trusting in the grace by which You saved me to relying on my own feeble efforts at righteousness. Keep me free in Your grace.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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2 comments:

  1. Be a BereanJuly 27, 2009 at 9:39 AM

    Good morning Pastor Mark,

    I think where most people get confused on this issue of legalism(works),is they mix justification and sanctification.We are justified only through Christ's sacrifice and nothing else.There are no amount of works we can do to be made right with GOD.But after our salvation is secure we are then sanctified (set apart)through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.Which requires odedience on our part.And when odedience is required it infers there are commands to follow(works).This odedience or works should be the evidence of holiness in our lives.The end of this process,which will come when Christ returns, leads to eternal life(glorification)...Pastor Mark please correct me if I am confused or missunderstanding this process.

    Your humble servant in Christ

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  2. AnonymousJuly 27, 2009 at 11:12 AM

    I think you have stated it well. The difference between legalism and grace is that in legalism we obey to earn acceptance from God but under grace we obey because we have been accepted by God.

    Pastor Mark

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