Paul's letter starts out stating someone must have bewitched the Galations. Regardless of just who was responsible, the fact is the Galations needed an attitude adjustment if they expected to please God.

Some of the new believers were convinced that conformance to Jewish legalism was a "safe" move. It was probably peer pressure by older Jewish brothers that influenced them to "add" tradition to their faith. There were opposing opinions in the camp, but whose doctrine would prevail and who would be rebuked for erroneous doctrine?

We know Paul had the last word. If a man could oppose Peter and keep his spiritual head above water, than anyone else must have seemed like a ripple in the water. Paul likened religious tradition to being under the yoke of slavery. Why would anyone willingly surrender to a yoke after having been freed of it?

Maybe you have a "safety" net. You know what I mean: you're not sure of your salvation, so you add things to compensate for your lack of assurance. What kind of things? Good works top the list, but you can add to it any number of things that come under the heading of morality or religious tradition, such as circumcision. They might give you a good feeling about your salvation, but God's not impressed and they won't save you.

You know what saves don't you? I hope so, but you should also know what doesn't save. But knowing is not enough, as you must reject doing it any outward display of religion. It not only gives the wrong impression to younger believers but it tends to take you off track as well.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Is. 30:12-33:12 Ga. 5:1-12 Ps. 63:1-11 Pr. 23:22 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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