Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:24-26
Why do we have a propensity and gravitation toward adding things that do not belong to the Gospel? Especially when it relates to the doctrine of Salvation? If you’re not tracking with me yet, let me share it in a little different way.
Peanut Butter and… Blue Cheese… wait, what?!? Of course, the real answer is Jelly, and there was some of that too in the sandwich I was dared to eat. Yes, that’s right, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Blue Cheese, and Doritos. Now at first bite, I was surprised. The flavors actually married better than I thought. Enough that I actually ate the whole sandwich. But after about 5 minutes, something was not right with me. The next 15 minutes were spent regretting my machismo following through with that dare. Now, why did I get sick, you ask? Maybe you didn’t ask because it’s obvious that Blue Cheese and Doritos don’t go with Peanut Butter and Jelly!
This story relates to the fact that the letter to the Galatian church was written to help the Galatians not eat Blue Cheese and Doritos with their Peanut Butter and Jelly. In other words, the law and good works don’t fit with the doctrine of Salvation by Grace alone through Faith in Christ.
Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and offers salvation from the penalty of sin on the sole basis of His Grace acting through faith in Christ Jesus, as the text says above. It’s not Faith in Christ, plus add in all these
works. Squeeze on some tradition, maybe a little law and legalism, and oh, if you are baptized, in the right church, read the right Bible, speak in tongues, go on some missions trips, put a little money in the plate, and if we just do all of this… then finally we will be saved. If that’s your view of salvation, you’ve added to it. Some of those things are great in response to salvation, but they don’t save us.
What God offers is the Non-Additive Gospel. Please don’t fall for the schemes of the flesh, the world, and the enemy of our souls who constantly try to add bondage and extras to God’s message of salvation. Salvation is by Grace alone, through faith in Christ Jesus. That’s it. Pure, plain, and simple. Instead of adding to it, how about we have gratitude for it and glory in the freedom God gave us to work for and serve Him!
Pastor Mike