SUNDAY March 14, 2021

Fallen from Grace

And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
Galatians 5:3-4

Paul explained to the Galatians that those who chose to become circumcised as an attempt to keep the Law, and in an act of righteousness, would now have to keep the entire Law. That would be an impossibility! It would lead them to a place of frustration and back into bondage. Those who did so would be estranged from Christ. No one can be justified by the Law. Why? These Galatians stood before God in self-righteousness. They had fallen from God’s grace––sad.

Underline this phrase in your Bible––you have fallen from grace. Think about it. Paul was speaking to Christians. You may ask, “I thought you could not fall from grace?” Examine the truth of what Paul said. If a person, knowing the truth of God, willfully continues to walk in sin, then how can they truly be saved? They have fallen from grace.

This is the reason why Chuck Smith taught, and Calvary Chapels still teach, the doctrine of abiding (John 15). Daily abiding in Christ will maintain a person’s relationship with God. You may question, “Then where is my eternal assurance?” A person’s salvation is secure so long as they abide in Christ––simple. Christians walk in obedience. They walk in the Spirit, not according to the flesh (Galatians 5:16-18). They are to be careful with their Christian liberties (Romans 14:13-23).

A Christian should not be found entrapped by Satan, back in bondage and sin, and condemned by the Law. If a Christian willfully walks away from Christ, and they go back to live a life of sin, then they will die in their sin. Sin will bring them to the point of spiritual death (Galatians 5:19-21). Read it for yourself. Honestly, is choosing a life of sin worth losing your salvation? If you are backslidden, what do you need to do? Simple–– repent and come back to the Lord!

Saving grace makes a man as willing to leave his lusts as a slave is willing to leave his galley, or a prisoner his dungeon, or a thief his bolts, or a beggar his rags.
~Thomas Brooks~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!