Am I Guilty of "Falling From Grace"?

by Andy Visser

The Apostle Paul accused the Galatians of falling from grace and scolds them for it. They were gloriously saved under his ministry and upon believing were sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption (Gal. 4:1-7; Eph. 1: 13). These Galatians, like too many of today's people, listened to false brethren who taught them that circumcision and the law were part of salvation. Paul, realizing the seriousness of this situation, wrote the Galatians regarding this problem in own large handwriting (Gal. 6:11-18).

The Charge Against the Galatians

This charge against the Galatians is a very important one. Paul says, I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain (Gal. 4:11).
"...am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth (Gal. 4:6)? These Galatians were going back to dead works and falling away from grace (Gal.
5:14). Paul had the truth to set them free! Therefore, he meets with James, Peter and John to settle this situation. Peter speaks up and says, "Now,
therefore, why tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither we or our fathers were able to bear? We believe that through
the grace of God we shall be saved even as they (Acts 15: 10-11). Up to this time they did not know this truth until Paul made it plain at the conference (Gal. 2:1-9). Paul was given the right hand of fellowship that he should go unto the heathen Gentiles and they would continue ministering to those who were of the circumcision. Paul calls his uncircumcision gospel "my gospel" and uses the term three times (Rom. 2:14-16; 16:25-26; 11 Tim. 2:7-9). Peter tells us in 11 Peter 3:15-18 that Paul had truth that we all need! On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached water baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:37-3 8). Paul taught Peter the one divine baptism of Luke 12:50 (also I Peter 3:18-22; Eph. 4:1-6; 1 Cor. 12:12-13).

A Change in God's Program

Surely we can see up to this point that the abundance of revelation Paul received from God is the only means of setting these Galatians free
(11 Cor. 12:7- 10; Gal. 1: 11- 12; 2:1-9; Eph. 3:1-9). If Peter then had this truth on the day of Pentecost, why should Paul be used to fulfill the Word of
God (Col. 1:23-29)? The letter to the Galatians is extremely important. One needs only to read the following Galatians passages to understand its significance: Gal. 1:1, 11-12; 2:16-21; 3:1-29; 4:19-31; 5:1-26; 6:1-18. Who would deny that Paul is the apostle of grace (I Cor. 15: 10; Eph. 2:1-12; 3: 1-
9; 1 Tim. 1: 1-17; H Tim. 1:7-14; 11 Cor. 4:1-7)? Paul, our apostle, died in chains because he introduced the sacred secret which he says was not made
known in ages and generations past (I Cor. 2: 1 - 16; 4:9-17; 9:1-2; 11 Cor. 5:14-2 1; 11 Tim. 4:1-17). Only Paul introduces the one true church, the
Body of Christ which was chosen in Christ before the world began (Eph. 1:34; H Tim. 1:7-14). This church is not a denomination but a living organism of which every true believer is a member (I Cor. 12:12; Eph. 5:27; 11 Tim. 2:13).

This message of grace was revealed through Paul
(Col. 2:8-16).

'Twas given the Gentiles through Israel's fall
(Rom. 11: 11-15).

Today God offers salvation to all
(I Tim. 2:1-7).

So turn from dead works and heed this call

(Heb. 6:1-6).

I wonder, am I guilty of "falling from grace"
(Gal. 1:6-9)?