The main point of Galatians 2 was (20-21), "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" The importance of being dead to sin but alive to God (Romans 6:11) is emphasized and that it is possible to reject God’s grace by trying to be righteous by works.

(Galatians 3:1-2), "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?"

Being foolish is being spiritually unwise and allowing the devil to deceive us with another gospel. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ because (Acts 4:12) says, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." The apostle reminds them that they were eye witnesses to Christ’s death (which completed their salvation). Now they only had to believe by faith and not earn by works to receive the inheritance.

(Galatians 3:3-5), "Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?"

Heaven is the goal of every believer. The apostle says (Philippians 3:14), "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." That does not mean earning the prize by works, but accepting the gift by faith (in Christ, that continues). (James 2:17) "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." In Acts 1:4 Jesus said to His disciples during a meal (and before ascending), "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about." Through that gift and power of the Holy Spirit, we live by faith in the Holy One of God.

In verse 4 (of Galatians 3), the apostle is reminding them of enduring persecution for the sake of Christ and that all our Christian experiences (however we have been tested in the faith) is not done for nothing, but we are just ‘pressing on toward the goal.’ He also reminds that the Holy Spirit is given to those who believe and that the miracles they witnessed came from their faith in God’s divine power, (not by observing ceremonial Law).

(Galatians 3:6-7) "Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ 7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham." It is the very same truth of James 2:23, "’Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend." (Verse 24), "You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone."

When the Philippian jailer asked what he must do to be saved, the Apostle Paul answered (Acts 16:31), "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." Salvation is appropriated by a personal faith in Christ (and has nothing to do with ceremonies, rituals, or externals of any sort). God requires faith in His Son as the only response that offers salvation.

Christians in the Old Testament were saved by faith, just as believers in the New Testament are saved by faith. Abel believed, offered a blood sacrifice and was saved. Noah had an active faith in God and was saved. Moses believed it was better to suffer persecution with God’s children than to enjoy short-lived pleasures of the world (Hebrews 11:25) and received salvation. All three were made right with God by their personal faith in Him. (Hebrews 11:4), "By faith [Abel] was commended as a righteous man." (Verse 7) Noah "condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith." And James 2:23, ‘Abraham believed God so he was counted righteous.’

(Galatians 3:8-9), "The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

The apostle is quoting from Genesis 12:3, "All peoples on earth will be blessed through you [Abraham]," (that is; if they live by an active faith in God as Abraham did). Eternal life comes from a personal relationship with Christ, not by following a set pattern of rituals or outward acts.

(Galatians 3:10-14), "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, ‘The man who does these things will live by them.’ 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree’ [Deuteronomy 21]. 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.’"

There is no merit and certainly no justification possible by acting religious. If our trust is in our obedience to the Law, rather than our faith in the Son of God, we have misplaced trust. James 2:10 says, "Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." If we try to follow all ceremonial laws and then make one mistake, we are condemned. Children of Abraham are those who live by faith, not those who try to keep the law.

(Galatians 3:15-16), "Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed,’ meaning one person, who is Christ."

If human covenants (ratified in some way) are not to be broken, then God’s New Testament covenant is not to be broken (because it was ratified by the blood of Christ). God’s promise to justify us because of our faith in His Son is irrevocable. The promise was first given to Abram (Genesis 15:1,4,6). "The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.’ Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness."

The Heir of every promise (from God) is Christ, and the only way we can participate in the promised blessings to Abraham, is to be a fellow heir with Christ through faith in Him. It all refers to the one thing God requires of us (John 6:29) "To believe in the One He has sent" (and Galatians 3:7) "those who believe are children of Abraham."

(Galatians 3:17 "What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise."

The 430 years refers to the time between God’s covenant with Abraham and His giving of the Law to Moses. The Lord repeated the promise to Abraham’s son Isaac (Genesis 26:24) and then to his grandson Jacob (Genesis 28:15). As for the promise that God gave Abraham (and that He had ratified), the passage of time could not effect nor nullify it.

An inheritance based on law depends on our performance, but one granted by God depends on His power. Two types of an inheritance are therefore mentioned; one is by God’s law and our works, and the other is by God’s grace and our faith. The means to fulfill the covenants are much different also. We cannot succeed in perfectly keeping the law, and God cannot fail in perfectly keeping His promise. Since the covenant of promise is perfect, the covenant of law cannot improve on it.

(Galatians 3:19-20), "What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one."

The purpose of the law was to reveal our sinfulness, the futility of being right with God by anything we do, and to show our desperate need for God’s mercy and grace. The law and our inability to keep it, is a poignant reminder of our need for a Savior. The Apostle Paul says (Romans 7:11-12) that sin deceived him "and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good."

God was the Author of the law and He was there with Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:19-24). Although not fully explained, the law was given by God to Moses through angels (Acts 7:53; Hebrews 2:2). When God gave Moses the law, the people were warned not to come near the fiery mountain (Exodus 19:24). Ephesians 4:6 reminds us that there is "One God and Father of all."

(Galatians 3:21-22), "Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe."

God gave both the law and the promise so they would not be in opposition. The law is inferior because it cannot save. If the law could save, it would oppose the promise, because it would be an alternate way of salvation (which there is not, John 14:6).

(Galatians 3:23-25), "Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law."

Whether through the written law of Scripture or the inward law of our conscience, until we acknowledge the fact that we are sinful and unable to be saved by keeping the law, we will not come to God for help. Until we despair of ever being right with God (by doing right things), we will not seek to be right with Him (by a genuine faith in His Son).

Anyone who says they want salvation but will not recognize (nor repent of) their sin, is deceiving themselves. Salvation is deliverance from sin, so we cannot keep our sin and at the same time desire to be free from it. We cannot truly want the new life of Christ without renouncing the old life of sin. (James 4:7-8), "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

(Galatians 3:26-27), "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." God’s true people are only those who through faith in Christ, become children of God. All, refers to believers of every race. Apart from saving faith in Christ, every human being is an enemy of God (Romans 5:10), and under His wrath (Ephesians 2:3). According to Jesus (John 8:44) all unbelievers are children of the devil.

(Galatians 3:28-29), "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

There are no distinctions or prejudices in God’s church because all are one in Christ (without exception). All spiritual blessings and promises are equally given to all who believe in Christ for the salvation of their soul. (Romans 10:12-13), "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’"

All children of God (by faith in His Son) are heirs of the promise. (Romans 8:17), "If we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ." All that belongs to Christ, belongs to us. The inheritance given to Christ is the same inheritance given to all (who are sanctified). Acts 20:32 says, "God can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." And Jesus prayed (John 17:17), "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."

It takes us back to Galatians 3:8-9, "The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." The vital importance of an enduring faith in Christ is then given in Revelation 21:7 (NLT), "All who are victorious [who overcome] will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children."