Essentials of Salvation

Paul continues his salutation with a subtle defense of the Gospel. He mentions six elements that are essential to salvation. He continues, "who raised him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Galatians 1:1b-5, NKJ)

The first of these elements is the resurrection of Christ. Paul states that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul argues that without the resurrection of Christ there is no good news, no Gospel. Jesus rose from the dead. This assures us that we will too. Paul's Gospel focuses upon what God has done. His enemies focused upon what man should do.

The second element is grace. Grace is God's merciful kindness towards us even though we do not deserve it. Paul's enemies through their legalism were trying to earn God's kindness. This puts a great burden upon man. Grace removes this burden. We do not have to earn God's favor.

Paul next mentions peace. Through salvation, we have peace with God and peace from God. We were enemies of God. Once we trusted in Christ, our relationship with Christ changes. We had peace with God. We do not have to keep track of a list of dos and don'ts. We can be at peace and we can rest in our relationship with God.

The fourth element of the Gospel mentioned in this passage is the sacrifice of Christ. Paul says that Jesus gave Himself for our sins. Jesus was the one supreme blood sacrifice that ended the need for any more such sacrifices. The law with its sacrificial system is no longer needed.

Not only is Jesus our sacrifice, he is also our deliverer. He has delivered us from this present evil age. This does not mean that he had taken us out of this age. It means that we are no longer part of this age. We think in different terms. We act in different ways. Our worldview is completely different. Those of this age think and live for themselves. Christians are to live for God. Legalism puts us back into the old worldview from which we were rescued. It makes us think about ourselves rather than God.

The final element mentioned by Paul is the plan of God. God planned out, according to his will, how he would provide a means of escape for those who would be condemned and in sin. He revealed parts of this plan to man through the prophets. This plan was further revealed and fulfilled by Jesus, the Son of God. The Gospel of Paul is not a new revelation. What Paul taught was an extension of God's revelation in the Old Testament and in the life of Jesus. This is an important point for Paul to make. His enemies accused him of seeking to destroy the Jewish faith. Paul's response was that the Gospel of Grace was a mature system of belief that grew out of an incomplete temporary system based upon the Law. Grace made the law obsolete.

The main lesson to learn from this passage is summed up in verse five. Grace brings God glory. Grace makes us focus upon God. Legalism takes our eyes off of God and focuses them upon man and his actions. Let us give God glory, and praise him because he cares for us even though we do not and cannot deserve it.