Fallen From Grace: A Bible Study of Galations 5:1-6

Scary title. But this phrase has been thrown about in the Christian circle, and has discouraged many believers. So let's do a little Bible study to clear the air.

First and foremost, when a person sins, he/she does not fall from grace, contrary to what many people believe. In fact, when a person sins, he/she falls into grace. So let's study in depth the scripture in which this phrase was derived from.

Galations 5:1 - 6

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.
3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

New King James Version

Verse 1

Paul clearly states that Christ Himself has set as free. But free from what? The preceding verses offers some insight. After all, the verse starts with "therefore", and whenever you see a "therefore", we must find out why it's there for.

In a nutshell, the preceding verses speak of Isaac, the child promised to Abraham by God, and also of the "bondwoman and her son". This refers to Hagar and Ishmael, born also to Abraham but not in line with the promise of God. In short, Hagar and Ishmael speaks of Abraham's works, his efforts in attempting to bring forth God's promise with his own hands. God clearly does not want this "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman." (Genesis 21:10).

What does this mean? It means that God wants us (His children and heirs to His promise) to not depend on our own efforts (that doesn't mean that we don't work... we just don't depend on our works), but to lean back and depend fully on His wondrous grace.

Also the "yoke of bondage" in which Paul warns us not to get entangled in is not sin. But rather, attempting to justify our righteousness by the law.

Verse 2

This circumcision that Paul speaks of is, of course, not physical. But rather, this circumcision refers again attempting to uphold God's commandments, thinking that in doing so we will be made righteous. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Paul says if you do so, then Christ will profit you nothing (in some translations: Christ will be of no effect to you).

It makes sense. We can only either be justified by our works or justified by Christ. The Bible says that no man can have two masters. The moment we depend on our works to make us righteous, then the works of Christ can no longer take effect in our lives.

Verse 3

Again Paul repeats this for emphasis. But more than that, he reminds the congretation that those who aspire to be justified by law have to keep the full law. Every single whit. Remember that God's standards are no less than perfection.

Verse 4

And now we come to the verse in which the phrase "fallen from grace" is found. Notice I highlighted "you who attempt to be justified by law". This clearly means that it is not sin that makes us fall from grace. If not, the verse would have said "you who have broken the law".

Verse 5 & 6

The key is revealed here. "faith working through love". Without love, there cannot be faith. But what is this love that we speak of? Our love for God? There can be two readings to this verse. The first - God is love. Therefore "faith working through God". The second - and this is beautiful - it's faith working through God's unconditional love for us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ came. Amazing!

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10)

Reflections

So rejoice and bask in His unconditional, undeserved love for you. The experiences that Mei Yii and Angelyn have gone through are beautiful examples of the love of God working in their lives. And this love is for every one, so long as they reach out for it.

I liked what Mei Yii said "But you cannot... cannot ever deny that being in love with God gives the deepest sense of inner peace", and that is so true. Once you experience the love, you don't have to worry about what other say about you or your church or your pastor or your friends. Why? Because what they say don't matter any more, because you've had just received a fresh one on one revelation of His wondrous love.

God bless the your week ahead richly :)

In His love and mine,
Eddie G.