The Amazing Grace of Our God!
Galatians: In Defense of Grace Alone!
The Book of Galatians was not written to a specific church but rather to a group of churches in the region of Galatia in Asia Minor (now modern day Turkey). Legalism was threatening the new churches and a group called “Judaizers” was trying to get the new Gentile Christians to accept certain Old Testament laws as a way to secure their salvation. The Judaizers believed that the Gentiles could not be true Christians without adopting many of the same practices that the nation of Israel had been given by God to be His chosen people (i.e. circumcision). The Judaizers were not denying that faith was necessary for salvation but rather that alone it wasn’t enough! Paul defends the Grace of God by defending “the gospel” that he was given by Jesus Himself. In his defense of the Gospel of Grace, Paul must also defend his own credibility to even offer such a Gospel. “The Gospel of Jesus Christ” has been called “the Good News” and the Book of Romans is where Paul lays this Gospel out for all to see.
The issue of Grace alone is an issue that the church continues to face today. The Protestant Reformation gave us the term “Sola Gratia” or Grace Alone! We believe that Grace alone saves us and by Grace alone we are sanctified. Grace is a free gift of God not deserved, not earned, or paid back for. SOLA GRATIA! Enjoy your look at the book of Galatians this week and renew your walk with your Savior in His Amazing Grace.
The Book of Galatians was not written to a specific church but rather to a group of churches in the region of Galatia in Asia Minor (now modern day Turkey). Legalism was threatening the new churches and a group called “Judaizers” was trying to get the new Gentile Christians to accept certain Old Testament laws as a way to secure their salvation. The Judaizers believed that the Gentiles could not be true Christians without adopting many of the same practices that the nation of Israel had been given by God to be His chosen people (i.e. circumcision). The Judaizers were not denying that faith was necessary for salvation but rather that alone it wasn’t enough! Paul defends the Grace of God by defending “the gospel” that he was given by Jesus Himself. In his defense of the Gospel of Grace, Paul must also defend his own credibility to even offer such a Gospel. “The Gospel of Jesus Christ” has been called “the Good News” and the Book of Romans is where Paul lays this Gospel out for all to see.
The issue of Grace alone is an issue that the church continues to face today. The Protestant Reformation gave us the term “Sola Gratia” or Grace Alone! We believe that Grace alone saves us and by Grace alone we are sanctified. Grace is a free gift of God not deserved, not earned, or paid back for. SOLA GRATIA! Enjoy your look at the book of Galatians this week and renew your walk with your Savior in His Amazing Grace.
Modern lyrics to Amazing Grace: by John Newton
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come;
Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come;
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
Some versions include an additional verse:
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.
This verse is not by John Newton. According to Wikipedia it was originally from a hymn called "Jerusalem, My Happy Home". It was added to a version of "Amazing Grace" by Harriet Beecher Stowe, as it appears in her novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin". In the novel, Uncle Tom joined the lyrics of several hymns together and those who learned the lyrics from that source have assumed that it was part of the original. Some versions also include:
This verse is not by John Newton. According to Wikipedia it was originally from a hymn called "Jerusalem, My Happy Home". It was added to a version of "Amazing Grace" by Harriet Beecher Stowe, as it appears in her novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin". In the novel, Uncle Tom joined the lyrics of several hymns together and those who learned the lyrics from that source have assumed that it was part of the original. Some versions also include:
Shall I be wafted through the skies,
On flowery beds of ease,
Where others strive to win the prize,
And sail through bloody seas.
Wikipedia says that this verse has been recorded by Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie. It states that the verse really belongs with the hymn, "Am I a Soldier of the Cross?" by Isaac Watts.
