Present Day Slave Traders
Posted by Pastor Pat on December 9, 2008
“But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.” Gal. 2:4
It is hard for us to imagine the abject horror of being awakened in the night by the screams of terror as men, women and children are carried off from knowing the joy of freedom into the chains of slavery. They were becoming the victims of the slave trader. Those people whose livelihood dealt with the cargo of humanity. Our nation poured out its lifeblood to resist and eventually overthrow slavery. Yet Paul continues to deal with spiritual slave traders, people whose intent is to make cargo of human souls. Their delight is found in bringing into captive those who were once free.
What appears to be the Galatian problem? Apparently the believers in Galatia were being “troubled” (Gal. 5:12) by “false brethren” (Gal. 2:4). The agitation created by them was real (Gal. 4:17). They were “bewitched” (Gal. 3:1) into leaving their position of liberty to be once more entangled with the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1). Paul saw such a move as shocking (Gal. 1:6). Why would anyone abandon a position of liberty for one of bondage? They were running well (Gal. 5:7), but now were being “hindered” and thus “overtaken in a fault” (Gal. 6:1). Those who turned back had “fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4) and needed to be “restored” (Gal. 6:1).
Within the book there is a contrast taking place. On one hand you have the works of the law and on the other you have justification by faith (Gal. 2:16). Yet more is included than just our justification. Space prohibits us from noticing the strong contrast created throughout Galatians between “a system of works” and “a system of grace.” However, when laid side-by-side the contrast is dramatic. This is what all true believers enjoy in Christ. Why would anyone turn back to a life of bondage, inability and failure? To betray grace and turn back is to fall from a previously maintained position. Because restoration is possible (Gal. 6:1) it does not appear that to “fall from grace” (Gal. 5:4) is to lose one’s salvation.
This issue in Galatians is inclusive and highly misunderstood. The Christian life is to be one of grace by faith. Nowhere in the Christian life is one’s work to be seen as cooperating with God in the dispensing of grace. Neither salvation, sanctification or service is a work based activity. All three are areas in which God’s unmerited and undeserved activity is taking place. The Christian life is marked by fruit bearing (John 15). It is something inherent within the dynamic of saving faith (Eph. 2:8-10). Galatians attacks this whole idea of a man-centered theology. The work is God’s work from start to finish. For us to think we must somehow contribute to the work of God is an attack against the very core of God’s dealings with us. To preach a man-centered work based theology is a perversion of grace and receives Paul’s highest condemnation (Gal. 1:7-9).
One cannot be saved by embracing a “works attained salvation” (Gal. 1:6-9). John MacArthur has correctly concluded that, “It is impossible to be a legalist and a Christian. To do a single thing to earn salvation is to vitiate grace.” (Gal. 3:9). But one can be saved and be embracing a “works attained sanctification and service”. Such a person needs to be restored to a position of grace. For such a person has fallen from grace (Gal. 5:4; Gal. 6:1).
After reading Galatians I must ask myself just how free am I? Do I live like a free man or am I still in bondage to the things of this world? Do I live in fear of what others might think if I fail to measure up to their expectations or if I somehow violate one of their “traditions?” It would appear from Galatians I am far freer than I have ever thought or imagined. The liberty expressed in Paul’s epistle is not for the fulfillment of the flesh but the license to love unconditionally. What an incredible message. We are free to love unconditionally. A grace life is lived in dependence on Christ and manifests itself by an unconditional love.
Let us guard ourselves and the church from allowing present day slave traders to make cargo of the human soul and to sell us once again into slavery.
By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths. For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series on Galatians.
