INTRODUCTION:

Paul asks a number of rhetorical questions to make the Galatians think. Let's take them up one at a time, and see what God wants US to learn:

I. "Who has bewitched you?"

A. "Bewitched" is from a Greek word, Baskaino, which "means to charm or fascinate in a misleading way, as by flattery, false promises, or occultic power." (John MacArthur)
There are influential charmers in the world, teaching us what is false! (Ted Turner example)


B. The Galatians were somehow bewitched, charmed and misled by the Judaizers to leave the Gospel of Grace, in favor of a religion of good works. Paul criticizes them for being "foolish." This Greek word does not mean "stupid," as much as it means "mentally lazy" or "careless." Have we made progress in our spirituality, or in our knowledge of God's Word? Why? Not inability, but laziness.


II. "Did you receive the Spirit by observing the Law?"

A. Those who believe in Jesus for salvation, also receive the Holy Spirit. Not by keeping the Law, but God's free gift.


B. There are three categories of law, in the Bible. Israel's civil law. Israel's religious law. The moral law. We OUGHT to keep the moral law, but from gratitude and respect, not as a means of earning our own salvation.


C. Paul holds out Abraham as an example of salvation by grace through faith (Galatians 3:6-9).

D. Not only is law keeping ineffectual, but it brings a curse! (Galatians 3:10-12).

E. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Gal. 3:13-14).

CONCLUSION: Be careful not to be bewitched! Keep the moral Law of God, but continue by faith, as you began in faith. Salvation is neither gained, nor kept, by good works.