Galatians 5:1

Galatians 5:1 says, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  Paul told the Galatian Christians to stand fast in their liberty through Christ.  We must do likewise today.  If anyone begins to add anything to salvation other than individual faith in Christ, then they would put us back under the bondage of the law.  Verse two adds, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.  We need to remember that this whole discussion was about the need for the Gentile Christians to be circumcised in order to be truly saved.  Paul said that if circumcision, a sign of obedience to the law of God, was necessary for salvation then Christ would be of no profit to them.  The only way that we can benefit from the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is when we acknowledge that faith in Him alone brings salvation.  Verse three continues, For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  Paul told them, and us, that if we are to be subject to salvation by any part of the law that we must keep every part of the law in order to be saved.  Jesus taught that this was not just in our actions, but in our thoughts as well.  Anytime someone adds anything to faith in Christ alone as a requirement for salvation they negate salvation, because they reject God's plan that was in place from the beginning.  Verse four declares, Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.  We cannot be saved by the law and grace.  Under the law, we attempt to prove ourselves worthy of salvation, and under grace we declare that we can never be worthy.  God proclaims us worthy through His grace alone.  Verse five adds, For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  Paul said that we are to be guided by the Holy Spirit as we await in hope of the righteousness of faith.  I don't believe that Paul meant that we live simply hoping that we can be made righteous, or acceptable to God, but that he meant we live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit knowing that we are made righteous through Christ alone.  Verse six continues, For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.  Paul tells us that nothing else is required for salvation but faith in Christ which brings us salvation by the love of God.  Since God gives us salvation because of His love for us, I believe that we are supposed to share the gospel with the lost world out of love for them.  Verse seven asks, Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?  I believe that Paul was asking them if they began in faith, how could they now let anyone keep them by living by faith alone.  Verse eight adds, This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. Just as Paul told the Galatians, anything that is added to faith in Christ alone as the requirement for salvation does not come from God.  We are to live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Who alone advocates for and comforts us.  We do not need to go through anyone else, living or dead, to speak to God.  Verse nine continues, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.  I believe Paul was warning us that a little bit of error about salvation can affect the whole truth of salvation.  It can therefore affect many people.  Verse ten states, I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.  Paul said he had faith that the Galatian Christians would remain faithful and not listen to the one who was causing trouble.  We likewise must remain true to the gospel and never allow anyone to cause us to doubt the truth of salvation by faith alone. Verse eleven adds, And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.  Paul said that if he preached circumcision as a requirement of salvation, as evidently some were saying, then why was he being persecuted by the Jews.  Verse twelve concludes, I would they were even cut off which trouble you.  Paul said he would rather have those who presented a false gospel cut off from the church.  We need to have that same attitude today.  If anyone comes attempting to add requirements to the gospel other than faith in Christ alone, instead of being tempted to follow them we must ask them to leave.