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Stand Firm - Our Inheritance

  • Writer: Paul Downie
    Paul Downie
  • 5 days ago
  • 19 min read

Galatians 3:1-14 (NIV)

[1] You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. [2] I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? [3] Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? [4] Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? [5] So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? [6] So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” [7] Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. [8] Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” [9] So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. [10] For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” [11] Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” [12] The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” [14] He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

(Read the full passage at: Galatians 3:1-14 NIV)


The British retailer Poundland made a huge mistake.


They were famous for one simple promise: "If you have to ask the price, it’s £1." Everything in their store cost just a pound, a concept that drew in bargain hunters and created a unique shopping experience. While some items might have been slightly overpriced, the overall value was undeniable.


However, after being acquired by Polish retailer Pep&Co, the original concept began to unravel. Goods started selling for more than £1, and an in-house clothing range was introduced. The magic was gone. Poundland lost its distinct identity and found itself competing with general store chains that were far more experienced in diverse retail.


After several years of dismal results, the company was sold again – for the symbolic sum of, you guessed it, £1.


When people or organizations forget their core purpose and the reason for their existence, trouble inevitably follows. This is precisely what happened to the Christians in Galatia.


They had received salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, a truth Paul had passionately taught and discipled them in. But they had been swayed by a group of hard-line Jewish false teachers, who offered cheap, false assurance through legalism. Paul's letter is a rude awakening, exposing the foolish mistakes they had made by abandoning the gospel.


And their mistakes were indeed, incredibly foolish.


Let's examine their Folly.


Folly: The Danger of Abandoning Grace


Galatians 3:1-5 (NIV)

[1] You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. [2] I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? [3] Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? [4] Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? [5] So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

(Read the full passage at: Galatians 3:1-5 NIV)


The modern city of Jakarta is sinking. One of the main reasons is a lack of a comprehensive piped water network, forcing the city to rely on groundwater. As more and more groundwater is pumped to the surface, the ground compacts, causing subsidence. This leaves the city increasingly vulnerable to flooding and building collapses.


Paul argues that the Galatians have similarly cut the ground from beneath their own feet. They have, to use a British saying, "cut off their nose to spite their face." They've acted without thinking about the severe consequences.


While the term "foolish" here can have moral undertones, it primarily refers to those who make thoughtless mistakes. Consider these real-world examples of folly:

  • The British couple attempting to motorcycle around the world in February 2025 who didn't check if it was safe to enter Iran, only to be promptly detained by authorities.

  • The many young people who tragically lose their lives each year attempting idiotic crazes seen on TikTok.

  • The American influencer who accidentally murdered her boyfriend by aiming a gun at him and pulling the trigger, believing a book held to his chest would stop the bullet, based on what they'd seen in movies.


From a spiritual perspective, Paul considers what the Galatians have done to be on par with, if not worse than, these examples, as it concerns their eternal destiny.


But what exactly have they done? Paul challenges them with rhetorical questions, highlighting three critical clashes in their lives.


Clash 1: Works vs. Faith


Paul isn't just talking about the Holy Spirit as a "wonder-working power." His core point is about assurance of salvation.


Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)

[13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.1.13-14.NIV )


Those who believe in God's work, not their own, receive the Holy Spirit. His presence assures them of their salvation. Conversely, those who reject God's work and put no faith in it are deprived of this assurance. Their salvation, as they see it, must be earned by obeying the Law. But no one can ever obey the Law perfectly.


In fact, the Law was never given to save us. Instead, it was given to expose our sin and our desperate need for grace:


Romans 3:20 (NIV)

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.3.20.NIV)


Relying on obedience to the Law for salvation is like jogging on a backward-moving treadmill: you'll get nowhere, exhaust yourself, and likely injure yourself. You will never have assurance that you've done enough. That assurance is found only by believing in Jesus Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit – and nowhere else.


Clash 2: Flesh vs. Spirit


Galatians 3:3 (NIV)

Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.3.3.NIV)


Growing up, I was fascinated by "The World's Strongest Man" competitions, watching massive men throw telegraph poles, hurl huge rocks, and even pull cars or trains. While brute strength is impressive, some feats require more than just muscle.


Consider the enormous challenge faced by the Jews after the Babylonian invasion and seventy years of exile: rebuilding their Temple and re-establishing right worship. This seemed like a job for a strong man, a person of immense physical and mental fortitude. Yet, God's message to Zerubbabel, the leader of Jerusalem at that time, was clear:


Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/zec.4.6.NIV)


It's precisely the same with salvation. Physical strength doesn't get us into heaven. Sheer human effort doesn't get us into heaven. Brute-force religiosity doesn't get us into heaven.


Entry into Heaven isn't about what we do, but in whom we believe.


This explains the puzzling conversation Jesus had with the rich young ruler:


Matthew 19:16-26 (NIV)

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” [17] “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” [18] “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, [19] honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” [20] “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” [21] Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [22] When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. [23] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. [24] Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” [25] When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” [26] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

This man trusted in his own abilities – his wealth and outward righteousness – and could not trust in Jesus. That's Paul's essential point. Having been saved by faith in God's work, there's no logical reason to then decide to be saved by your own work, or to try and add to Jesus' sacrifice with your own efforts. That's effectively telling God that what He did for you on the cross was not enough. And that will never do.


Clash 3: Works vs. Faith


In the New Testament, there's a clear progression. Jesus performed miracles to prove He was the Messiah, not just to put on a show or provide physical healing. Their ultimate purpose was to lead people to believe in Him:


John 20:30-31 (NIV)

[30] Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. [31] But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Hence the direct link between miracles and faith (e.g., Mark 9:23-24 as a positive example; Mark 6:5-6 as a negative). Similarly, the Apostles performed miraculous deeds in Acts as evidence that they were Christ's chosen messengers (e.g., Acts 3). Paul himself was a conduit for a great miracle in Lystra:


Acts 14:9-10 (NIV)

[9] He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed [10] and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

This miracle occurred because the crippled man had faith to be healed – he believed God could do it.


It's interesting territory. Often, when people face tough situations, they try to bargain with God as if He were a businessman. They attempt to "earn" His intervention through religious or charitable acts, or by vowing to do something if God answers their prayer. This isn't new; it's been happening for ages.


Yet, Jesus made it clear:


John 6:28-29 (NIV)

[28] Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” [29] Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

What God truly desires from us is not our grand acts or extraordinary vows. What He seeks is our faith: our trust in Him, demonstrated through our obedience to His Word. Paul's point is that the Galatians' adherence to the Law, or any other religious act, did not bring about miraculous interventions in their lives. Instead, it was their faith in God: that He was able, willing, and worthy of their devotion.


These are critical lessons. Every blessing the Galatians received was by faith, not by works. It would be sheer folly to abandon the true source and conduit of their blessing simply to chase a fake assurance that couldn't save them anyway.


Having exposed their folly, Paul now shifts to a powerful argument that thoroughly dismantles the circumcision group's position: the truth about Faith.


Faith: The Ancient Path to Righteousness


Galatians 3:6-13 (NIV)

[6] So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” [7] Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. [8] Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” [9] So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. [10] For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” [11] Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” [12] The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

(Read the full passage at: Galatians 3:6-13 NIV)


When facing an exam, everyone seeks a secret to passing, though often the only secret is sheer hard work. You might get hints about subjects, but you still have to study. Nowadays, some try to shortcut exams with AI, only to be caught because teachers also use AI to detect such attempts.


In these seven clear and simple verses, Paul utterly dismantles the entire case of the circumcision group, and with it, any argument for salvation by works. He calls upon three powerful witnesses to destroy their faulty theology.


Witness 1: Abraham – The Father of Faith


No one is more important to the Jews than Abraham; he is the father of their faith, and even of Islam. He's one of the most significant figures in ancient history. Yet, Abraham's life, witness, and obedience stand firmly against the idea of being made right with God by our deeds. He also stands firmly against the idea that Gentiles were outcasts who could not be saved.


How? Because of his faith:


Genesis 15:6 (NIV)

[6] Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.15.6.NIV)


Abraham is a hero to the Jews not because of his great deeds or obedience to the Law, but because of his faith. This is why he has the largest entry in Hebrews 11, the "Hall of Faith":


Hebrews 11:8-10 (NIV)

[8] By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. [9] By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. [10] For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV)

[17] By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, [18] even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” [19] Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

Abraham's greatest achievements were all "by faith," not by obedience to the Law. How could they be? The Law didn't even exist then; Moses wasn't born! There was no legal yardstick for righteousness. And a brief scan of Abraham's life shows he was far from flawless. No, it was his faith that saved him.


He is also a witness for salvation by faith, not works, because of his blessing:


Genesis 12:3 (NIV)

[3] I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

(Read the full passage at: Genesis 12:3 NIV)


Genesis 18:18 (NIV)

[18] Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.12.3.NIV)


Genesis 22:17-18 (NIV)

[17] I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, [18] and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

God's purpose was for His people to be a blessing for all the world, not a curse or a stumbling block. The one person who perfectly fulfilled this blessing, and continues to fulfill it, is Jesus Christ:


Habakkuk 2:14 (NIV)

[14] For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/hab.2.14.NIV)


Acts 1:8 (NIV)

[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/act.1.8.NIV)


So, we see this profound truth – a truth that would have shaken the circumcision group to its core: their great hero Abraham was both saved by his faith and foreshadowed the spread of the Gospel among Gentiles like us.


Witness 2: Moses and the Law – A Diagnosis, Not a Cure


Next, Paul brings in Moses, another hero of the circumcision group:


Galatians 3:10-12 (NIV)

[10] For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” [11] Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” [12] The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”

During the COVID years, ridiculous conspiracy theories emerged about Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, being a cure for COVID, despite no scientific evidence. It was the wrong prescription for the wrong problem. Now, some even promote it without scientific backing as a cancer cure. It's enough to drive you crazy!


This is exactly what Paul says about the Law. If you read the "patient leaflet" for the Law in detail, nowhere is eternal, imperishable salvation promised to those who perfectly obey it. Nowhere.


However, those who disobey it are under a curse:


Deuteronomy 27:26 (NIV)

[26] “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/deu.27.26.NIV)


And here's the real problem: no one has ever, or will ever, be able to obey the Law in full:


Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NIV)

[20] Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/ecc.7.20.NIV)


The Law was never designed to save us from sin; it was designed to expose our sin. It was a mirror, not a fire escape. So, relying on obedience to it for salvation is a fool's game. The Law, given through Moses, was never enough.


We see, then, that two giants of Jewish history – Abraham and Moses – both witness that salvation by our works will never succeed, because salvation is received by God's work, not ours.


The last, and ultimate, witness Paul offers is Jesus Christ.


Jesus Christ: The End of the Curse, the Fulfillment of the Promise


Galatians 3:13-14 (NIV)

[13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” [14] He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.3.13-14.NIV )


Jesus is the witness to end all witnesses. Why?


Because those who disobey the Law are under a curse, as we've seen. Jesus Christ had not disobeyed any part of the Law; He came to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-20). Yet, He was hung on a cross. And in doing so, He bore the curse we deserved for breaking the Law ourselves. Thus, He is superior to Moses (Hebrews 3:3-6).


Jesus is also the means through which the Abrahamic blessing is extended, not just to the Jews, but to all those who believe. And Jesus uses the church as His hands and feet to achieve this:


Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

[18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 16:15-16 (NIV)

[15] He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. [16] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 1:7-8 (NIV)

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/act.1.7-8.NIV)


What we see here is truly incredible. Paul takes two of the great founders and originators of the Jewish religion – Abraham and Moses – and demonstrates that Jesus is superior to both. And the writings of neither Abraham nor Moses contradict this argument; in fact, they confirm it.


Paul's argument could be applied to any religion, any philosophy, any human idea that attempts to achieve salvation through works or merit. He has used two giants of the Jewish religion to prove that salvation cannot be gained that way. He has undermined the very foundations of the circumcision group’s theology, leaving them without a single leg to stand on.


In the same way, he has undercut the basis of any other works-based religion. Of course, they cannot work! Of course, they are not enough! Of course, they will fail! Because they offer no assurance that whatever we do will somehow be sufficient. They can't, it isn't, and it never will be.


But those who trust in the grace of God and the completed sacrifice of Christ on the cross have exactly what works-based systems lack: full assurance.


Conclusion: Embracing God's Sufficient Grace


Galatians 3:14 (NIV)

[14] He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.3.14.NIV)


Consider also:


Ephesians 2:11-18 (NIV)

[11] Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— [12] remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, [15] by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, [16] and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. [17] He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

The late Billy Graham famously said that if you want your dog to stop chewing on a smelly, rotten bone, you should give him a fresh one from the fridge. He was highlighting how Christians too often become legalistic, quick to point out what’s wrong with someone's life but slow to offer the true solution. They're like a dog owner trying to wrestle a rotten bone from their dog's mouth instead of simply offering a better alternative. The result is always a messy fight.


The problem with the Galatians was that they had been given a glorious new way of life – salvation by grace through faith. Yet, they insisted on gnawing on the "smelly bone" of legalism. They abandoned the full assurance of salvation they had in Jesus and were enticed into trying to earn their salvation through works, which is an impossible task.


In these verses, Paul makes a powerful case for why their actions were incredibly misguided:

  • The Abject Folly: He exposes the foolishness of abandoning salvation by grace and seeking assurance through any other means. It simply will not work. It's like the frequent con carried out in the United States, where alleged "homesick Scottish" people are sold tiny plots of land under the false pretense that it grants them a formal title. It does not. Their paper certificate is meaningless. Any "assurance" gained through something we have done is equally meaningless. In effect, we allow ourselves to be conned.

  • The Historical Precedent: Paul demonstrates how salvation by faith was not a New Testament innovation. It was writ large in the Old Testament, clearly God’s plan since Abraham, and the very means by which two of the greatest figures in Israel's history were saved.

  • The Splendor of Christ's Sacrifice: We see the incredible glory of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross: how it simultaneously fulfills the Law and irrevocably releases us from its clutches.


This might sound like a purely theoretical theological argument. It is not. It was one of the cornerstones of the Reformation, and it is far from confined to history.


There are still "conmen" today who seek to claim a copyright on salvation. They try to tell you that you can only be saved if you are a member of their organization, or if you pay for prayers or offerings, or if you attend their specific services. That is all a lie.


There are also those who feel that the free grace of Jesus Christ on the cross is too "cheap," that they must somehow repay God for all He has done. That, too, is folly. The debt of your salvation is too great; you will never repay it. That is a simple fact.


All God wants from you is your faith. That's it. Because once you truly have faith in who God is, what He has done, and what He says, everything changes. And that is exactly how it should be.


Prayer


Lord Jesus, Your grace is truly amazing. Thank You from the bottom of my heart for Your salvation plan, written in eternity, carried out in time, and that gives me eternal life. I’m sorry for any times when I’ve tried to add to it. I know I cannot. Amen.


Questions for Reflection


  • Why is this discussion of salvation by faith or works so profoundly important?

  • What evidence from Jewish history does Paul provide to demonstrate that salvation by faith has always been God’s plan?

  • How does Jesus Christ fit into this argument, and what does His role mean for you personally?

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