As we wrap up our thoughts on the book of Galatians, I thought it would be good to look at one of the major themes of the book.  As was the case with the book of Romans, Paul’s primary focus is that we are justified by faith rather than by works of the law.

The problem with most people’s assessment of Paul’s overall teaching is that they misinterpret what he meant by “works of the law.”  They interpret references to “works of the law” to mean works of any kind.  In reality, Paul only meant one thing when referring to “works of the law,”—works demanded by the Law of Moses.  Those works could not save, but the truth is, the Law was never meant to be a plan of salvation.  It was simply a means of eventually bringing man to Christ.

Galatians 3:24 (NKJV)
²⁴  Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

I will return to this passage in just a minute to make a point about its surrounding verses, but clearly the law that Paul refers to was not meant to save.  It, in fact, could not save.  Listen to what Paul said concerning it.

Acts 13:38-39 (ESV)
“Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, ³⁹  and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

The law could not save because it demanded too much.  It required sinless living, which, from a practical standpoint, is what is under consideration when Paul refers to “works of the law.”  The blessedness of the gospel is that we can be justified apart from sinless living (Romans 4:6-8).

To apply “works of the law” to all work is poor exegesis.  The word “work” often refers to obedience to God, something demanded to be saved.  No man has ever been justified by God apart from works of obedience.  Concerning Jesus, the Hebrews writer wrote, “And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:9).

The flaw of all those who teach salvation by faith alone is their view of “works of the law.”  Since they include in it any kind of human effort, even acts of obedience, they deny things that are necessary for salvation, such as baptism.  To them, baptism is a “work of the law,” even though Paul clearly indicated that it is not.  Let’s go back to the context of Galatians three.

Galatians 3:24-27 (ESV)
²⁴  So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶  for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ²⁷  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Notice that Paul teaches that we are not under the law.  He was addressing the Jewish segment of his audience.  The Jews were no longer under a guardian, which is what the law was.  They were now, as are the rest of us, sons of God through faith, as opposed to works of the law.  How do we become sons of God through faith?  Paul tells us.  We are baptized into Christ (ver. 27).  There is no way not to see in this passage that baptism is not a work of the law that Paul just finished teaching that we are not under.

Is baptism necessary for entrance into Christ?  Yes.  Is baptism a “work of the law?”  Clearly not.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things