The reason for writing this letter appears in the pericope. Paul is extremely upset about the Galatian congregations. They listened well to the message that he had proclaimed to them. They were so happy to accept the message. But then they turned their backs and Paul confronted them straight on: 6I can’t believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. 7Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head.

After Paul’s attack one might think all of them would’ve let go of religion completely. That they would leave God and return to their godless lives. But no, they listened to others. Others who followed a different teaching. The teaching of doing. You have to do something, you have to work to earn a place in heaven. In a way they went back to the life in chains of the law and returned their new-found freedom.

This really upset Paul. Some stupid fools came and wiped out all the good work that he had done in Galatia. But they were not only enticed away from Paul’s words, but also from God Himself and in the process the grace that they had received from Jesus was also taken away. In a way they undid what had been done on the cross – as if Jesus had died for no purpose. Why would Jesus be necessary if they could still work their way into heaven themselves?

And worst of all, this is totally impossible. You make one small mistake, which we know can happen very easily, and you miss the bus to heaven. Paul is very upset and he doesn’t mince his words: 9I said it once; I’ll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed.

We must learn from this as well. We must make sure that we’re not lead away from the true, simple Gospel. There is only one Gospel and that is Jesus. Without Jesus you will not make it to heaven. His death on the cross made it possible for those who believe in Him to simply walk through the gates of heaven. Nobody checks whether you qualify. Nobody asks what your life on earth looked like. Nobody asks if you had been good to people in need. No, only one simple question: Do you believe that Jesus had died on the cross for your sins? If you say yes, you are welcomed with open arms.

What a wonderful message! What a simple message!

We should be jumping for joy, but still the people of Galatia came and thought it was too simple, maybe just too simple, and they turned to a faith of justification through deeds only.

May we never make that mistake. May we never listen to people who say that Jesus is not enough – that one should do more. No, listen well to what Paul said: These guys will have to go and please explain when they arrive up there. They cannot simply erase Jesus’ work on earth. God will make a plan with them and if I hear Paul correctly, it is not a nice plan.

Impress upon yourself: Jesus is enough. Jesus has died on the cross on your behalf. The punishment for your sin has been paid. Done! You have to believe this and you have to live this and yes, deeds will flow from gratitude, but these deeds will be as a result of my gratitude and not deeds to get me into heaven. Let’s live like that.

Galatians 1:6-10

Reflection

Do you believe that Jesus is enough?

Do you believe that Jesus has already paid for your place in heaven?

What do your deeds of gratitude look like?

Prayer

Jesus, I believe with my whole heart that You have died on the cross for my sins. I believe that it is enough. Enough for me to go into heaven. Thank you for that wonderful deed that You did for me. Thank you for dying on a cross. Thank you for paying for my sin by doing that. It is more than enough. Thank you! Amen