Paul concludes the second chapter of Galatians with the following statement in Verse 21:
“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
If all Christians understood this one verse and lived by it, my newly-published book, Christianity 101: The Simplified Christian Life (click here for information on how to order), would have been unnecessary. This one statement by Paul pretty much covers it.
We Christians are always wanting to tinker with salvation—to add our own little pet requirements. If you’re a Christian, you can’t do this, or you have to do that. We can’t accept the fact that salvation comes by grace through faith and by NOTHING else.
In Paul’s day, the big controversy was whether or not one had to be circumcised in order to be saved. Basically, the Jewish Christians of the day insisted that everyone had to keep the law in order to be saved.
There are still those today who insist Christians must keep the Mosaic Law. Others put forth rules about attending movies, dancing, the length of skirts or hair, and all manner of other things they would have us do or refrain from doing in order to be saved.
Have we learned nothing in the last 2000 years? After all those centuries and all the scriptures available to us, must we still ignore the simplicity of the gospel and add our own requirements to it?
If refraining from attending movies or dancing or any of the other no-no’s people want to put on us could save us, or if going to church or playing with beads or chanting om’s could save us—if ANY action of man could save us—then Jesus’s incarnation, life, death and resurrection were unnecessary.
As Paul said, if any “. . . righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Let’s take Paul’s word for this and accept Jesus’s sacrifice and quit trying to add our own pet ideas to salvation and being Christians.
What things have you been told you have to do or can’t do in order to be saved? In order to be a real Christian?
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If you abide in Me and My word abides in you, then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
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For more information about David N. Walker, click the “About” tab above.
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Contact him at dnwalkertx (at) gmail (dot) com or tweet him at @davidnwalkertx.
David N Walker 
The Bible says we are saved through God’s grace and our obedient faith. Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Act 22:16, James 2:14. James 2:17, James 2:24, James 2:26. God did His part, but we have to do ours.
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Yes, Lauralynn. Our part is believing. He did the rest.
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Hi David, As a Catholic, I am reminded that salvation also comes from works (James 2:24), but if one is filled with God’s Grace, then the works are bound to follow. Christians with ministries, be they visiting the sick, professing the Faith, teaching (as you do with the youth and with your writing), etc., must receive God’s Grace before feeling compelled to share the Word with others through their works. Thank you for your post. Blessings.
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The works follow salvation, JT. John 3:16 says that “…whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Ephesians 2:8 & 9 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as the result of works so that no one may boast.” These are two of the many places the Bible makes it clear that salvation is due to God’s grace and not to our works. Our only “work” in the matter is believing – having faith.
Thanks, and blessings to you, too, my friend.
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Amen, David.
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His grace is indeed sufficient. I appreciated your message.
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Thanks, sweetheart.
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