Salvation through Faith

Background Scripture: Galatians 3
Lesson Scripture: Galatians 3:6–18

Introduction

Our world is filled with places of outstanding natural beauty and unique land features that stir our emotions and inspire a sense of awe as we see these wonders of creation. The world’s nations have protected special areas and preserved them as national parks so everyone can enjoy them. These distinctive lands are scattered across many different geographic locations. Seeing the tremendous variety and differing features of each special spot makes for an enjoyable and colorful experience of discovery.

The Word of God can be likened to these special places, and we can think of Sunday school as a vehicle that takes us there. Each book, passage, and testament of the Bible has its own unique features, characteristics, and beauty. It has been miraculously preserved for us through the ages of time, giving this generation the opportunity to also visit its distinctive and unique landscape. We can admire the towering heights of truth, the dazzling display of eternal value, the clear streams, rivers, and pools of divine inspiration, and stand and gaze into the depths of both the understanding and wisdom of God.

There are some who are content to visit nature’s gems of wild and scenic beauty from the comfort of their living room through the eyes of someone else. Still others are happy to tour as much as they can with the ease of an automobile. But there are a few who leave the comforts of life behind and venture out on foot to explore and immerse themselves in the wonder of the place, drawing from the experience of being there in person.

Too many Christians are content to experience the great truths of the Bible through the eyes of someone else, or they are satisfied with “seeing” the Word from the relative comfort of a “drive-by” reading of Scripture. The spiritual excellence of the Bible is not discovered this way, though casual reading is better than nothing.

This quarter explores parts of the New Testament—some of the Pauline letters as well as First and Second John. We will study about some of the essential tenets of Christian faith, learning how to aptly apply them in a practical way. Sunday school provides us with a wonderful opportunity to venture out past the familiar. The writers of these lessons are offering an invitation for us to join them and explore the wonders of the Word.

Salvation through Faith

Lesson 1

June 6, 2021

Background Scripture: Galatians 3

Lesson Scripture: Galatians 3:6–18

Introduction

We gain access to salvation by faith. Salvation is invisible in that it is not seen with the eye or taken apart and examined like a machine. What is visible, however, is the obedience of a redeemed person who is trusting Christ for salvation. True faith brings a transformation, together with a witness in the heart that cannot be denied. Satan continues to try to convince those of nominal Christianity that they can have both Christ and the sins they love, telling them there need be little or no change in their lives and actions. Because of this, many who profess Christianity are confused and in error. We must remember that confusion and error are trademarks of the enemy and not an evidence of faith. An examination of our hearts is in order to see whether we have the true faith.

Key Verse

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Paul writes a kindly reproof to the church at Galatia. “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” (Gal. 4:9). Their error was in that they trusted in their good works as righteousness with God. Paul reminds them that justification is found only in Christ. In Christ alone is our redemption secured. Like the Galatians, we may foolishly try to be Christians living a clean life without having our focus on Christ. By nature, we tend to trust in ourselves, seeking security in our works, position, and performance. It is foolish to think we can please God with things of self. Seeking to please God by our good works can set us up to be chronically disappointed in our performance, feeling inferior and insecure, and always in need of reassurance. Attempting to manufacture our own goodness is evidence of pride and a sense of self-sufficiency. Christ is not large in the legalist’s life, nor is He deeply loved in the casual, carnal Christian’s heart.

Trying to serve God with our focus on keeping the law is a constricting way of life. We become overly concerned about fairness, wondering if God is fair with me and whether others are toeing the line. We can develop a performance standard that we hold our brethren to. It can become a constant seeking to measure up, and by comparing ourselves by ourselves we are led away from faith in God (2 Cor. 10:12). Legalism is an exhausting way to live and those who are caught in it lack the joy that Christ longs to give them. The law demands service as a requirement; in contrast, love serves out of desire born in the heart. A careful, consistent life is not legalism; rather, it is the result of being justified by faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ. “Living faith has works; for it is impossible that the faith which has grasped the righteousness of God can live without operating in the work of God.” 1

Practical Truths for Today

Justification by faith is not a compromise between law and grace. No negotiation is involved in salvation. When a soul is redeemed, the Father, the Son, and the law are all in harmony. “There is no contradiction between justification by faith and obedience. Faith produces obedience, and obedience is evidence of faith. However, it must be remembered that obedience is not the cause of justification, it is only a condition. Thus, the whole tenor of the Bible is that God’s promises are conditional upon obeying Him. One will never be justified by faith unless he is committed to obey.” 2

Justification by faith was first promised to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, repeated to Abraham, and spoken of by the prophets. Our Creator knew sinful man could not keep his law, as it demands a standard of perfection that fallen man cannot attain. Jesus Christ took our condemnation and paid the debt that the law holds us accountable for. Through believing in his blood shed on the cross, we can have our sins forgiven, receive peace with God, and experience a new life.

The lesson scripture starts with “Abraham believed God.” We could say this is where Christian life begins. True faith coupled with the proper fear of God motivates us to seek Christ, running to Him for forgiveness of sins. This experience brings a new and changed life, and consequently, this faith having worked in us to salvation is counted for righteousness. As we study Abraham’s life, we see the evidence of God calling him, working in his heart, and directing his activities. In Genesis 17:3 we see Abraham on his face listening to God speak. This is the rightful posture of the Christian: reverence and holy fear, listening and obeying. Abraham’s heart was turned toward God; his will was bent toward right living. He trusted God completely with his life, his family, and everything he had.

Abraham seemed to know beyond a shadow of doubt that God had his best in mind, and he served God out of love. He had faith in God that his “investment” was completely safe, and whether it was his soul, his servants, or his son, it was all completely offered up to God. When he was asked to offer his son, Isaac, he did so without argument or question. To know God as Abraham did is to realize that all we have is given to us. We trust our Creator with the safekeeping of our families, possessions, and everything we own. In Hebrews 11 we see Abraham as one who happily believed and followed God. He was a man “whose praise [was] not of men, but of God” (Rom. 2:29). We likewise are pleasing to God when we humbly accept his will for our lives and rejoice in the freedom of having our sins forgiven.

When we are saved, there is a clean break from our old selfish nature, and we take on the nature of Jesus. This resulting change in our lives is accomplished by the power of the resurrection and should be evident, leaving no doubt. In this world of promoting self and seeking honor, the Christian is distinctly different. With Jesus living within, he no longer seeks recognition but lives to bring honor to his heavenly Father. The fruit of humility in a true Christian is not hard to identify in worldly society. The difference between the converted person and the one who lives for self is manifested in many areas of life. As God’s people, we must insist on the holy life that salvation brings.

Knowing Christ means a relationship with Him that is second to nothing else. He is the beginning and end of our day. He is everything to us. He is a Giver, and the only things He takes from us are things that hinder our Christian experience. He desires for us to grow more like Him. This warm relationship with our Savior keeps us from a stale Christian experience, which is a breeding ground for legalism. If our love for Christ grows weak, we lose the vision of justification by faith and open ourselves to error.

As we understand our own depravity and the way it separates us from God, it brings a deep-seated feeling of unworthiness and thankfulness for Christ’s atonement. These are two of the key emotions of the child of God—they are evidence of salvation through faith. In this fertile environment the Holy Spirit inspires us with direction for our life. Our obedience to God and his Word is a reasonable service of love. Furthermore, everything that can be claimed as good in our lives has been given us by the Lord. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3).

Satan tries to distort the concept of freedom and works among believers. There is a voice that says works, or physical evidence of salvation, is evidence of living under the law and that Christ has set us free from such. Freedom, according to man’s interpretation, will side with the flesh. On the other hand, the freedom that is ours in Jesus Christ brings about a thankful, unworthy, and careful spirit in our hearts and places us beyond the helpless state of bondage to the base desires of the flesh. This freedom binds us to the One to whom we owe our lives, and we lovingly serve Him out of a grateful heart.

We can freely leave all that we must for the gospel’s sake, knowing that Jesus said, “There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29–30). Although in this life we will not understand God’s plan in its entirety, its beauty and perfection will be revealed in eternity where it will be the central theme of unending praise to our Redeemer.

Apostle Paul’s testimony was, “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:12).

Questions

1. Discuss the relationship between salvation through faith and good mental health: the feelings of security, acceptance, and fulfillment.
2. How does a believer who is troubled with doubt about his salvation find freedom and deliverance?
3. If a Christian is attracted to the world through something that appeals to the flesh, does that mean he is not experiencing the freedom found in salvation?
4. 1 John Holdeman, Mirror of Truth, p. 198
5. 2 Bible Doctrine and Practice, p. 127
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).