As with many young Christians, the Galatians were being bombarded by different enemies of the Gospel. They were hearing from Gnostics that believed that you became saved by gaining more and more knowledge. The Jewish traditionalists were also trying to influence the Galatian men to be circumcised, keep kosher, and follow all Jewish traditions. Still, others were claiming that if you know God you have to perform perfectly. Failure to be perfect shows that your faith was not real.
Paul made clear the distinction. Our walk with God has to be a matter of faith and faith alone. We will never gain enough knowledge, follow enough tradition, or behave perfectly enough to achieve God’s favor. The very act of trying to earn salvation or God’s favor through our own efforts flies in the face of the grace God has bestowed upon us.
From Abraham – whose FAITH was counted to him as righteousness – to today, the plan has always been that God’s grace would redeem and restore us to a right relationship with Him. We simply have to trust God to provide that grace and then allow Him to restore us to righteousness. There are no add-ons and there are no badges to earn. We are all saved completely through what Jesus did on the cross. Trusting God to provide that salvation is the only “Act” we have to perform.
God Bless You
[a]You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of [b]the Law, or by [c]hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun [d]by the Spirit, are you now [e]being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you [f]suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works [g]miracles among you, do it by the works of [h]the Law, or by [i]hearing with faith?
6 [j]Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 7 Therefore, [k]be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God [l]would justify the [m]Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with [n]Abraham, the believer.
10 For as many as are of the works of [o]the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 11 Now that no one is justified [p]by [q]the Law before God is evident; for, “[r]The righteous man shall live by faith.” 12 [s]However, the Law is not [t]of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live [u]by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a [v]tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might [w]come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Walking With God 