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ceremonial law。
The situation was critical。 The evils that had been introduced threatened
speedily to destroy the Galatian churches。
Paul was cut to the heart； and his soul was stirred by this open apostasy on
the part of those to whom he had faithfully taught the principles of the
gospel。 He immediately wrote to the deluded believers； exposing the false
theories that they had accepted and with great severity rebuking
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those who were departing from the faith。 After saluting the Galatians in the
words； 〃Grace be to you and peace from God the Father； and from our Lord
Jesus Christ；〃 he addressed to them these words of sharp reproof：
〃I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the
grace of Christ unto another gospel： which is not another； but there be some
that trouble you； and would pervert the gospel of Christ。 But though we； or
an angel from heaven； preach any other gospel unto you than that which we
have preached unto you； let him be accursed。〃 Paul's teachings had been in
harmony with the Scriptures； and the Holy Spirit had witnessed to his
labors； therefore he warned his brethren not to listen to anything that
contradicted the truths he had taught them。
The apostle bade the Galatian believers consider carefully their first
experience in the Christian life。 〃O foolish Galatians；〃 he exclaimed； 〃who
hath bewitched you； that ye should not obey the truth； before whose eyes
Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth； crucified among you？ This only
would I learn of you； Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law； or by
the hearing of faith？ Are ye so foolish？ having begun in the Spirit； are ye
now made perfect by the flesh？ Have ye suffered so many things in vain？ if
it be yet in vain。 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit； and
worketh miracles among you； doeth he it by the works of the law； or by the
hearing of faith？〃
Thus Paul arraigned the believers in Galatia before the tribunal of their
own conscience and sought to arrest them
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in their course。 Relying on the power of God to save； and refusing to
recognize the doctrines of the apostate teachers； the apostle endeavored to
lead the converts to see that they had been grossly deceived； but that by
returning to their former faith in the gospel they might yet defeat the
purpose of Satan。 He took his position firmly on the side of truth and
righteousness； and his supreme faith and confidence in the message he bore；
helped many whose faith had failed； to return to their allegiance to the
Saviour。
How different from Paul's manner of writing to the Corinthian church was the
course he pursued toward the Galatians！ The former he rebuked with caution
and tenderness； the latter with words of unsparing reproof。 The Corinthians
had been overcome by temptation。 Deceived by the ingenious sophistry of
teachers who presented errors under the guise of truth； they had become
confused and bewildered。 To teach them to distinguish the false from the
true； called for caution and patience。 Harshness or injudicious haste on
Paul's part would have destroyed his influence over many of those whom he
longed to help。
In the Galatian churches； open； unmasked error was supplanting the gospel
message。 Christ； the true foundation of the faith； was virtually renounced
for the obsolete ceremonies of Judaism。 The apostle saw that if the
believers in Galatia were saved from the dangerous influences which
threatened them； the most decisive measures must be taken； the sharpest
warnings given。
An important lesson for every minister of Christ to learn
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is that of adapting his labors to the condition of those whom he seeks to
benefit。 Tenderness； patience； decision； and firmness are alike needful； but
these are to be exercised with proper discrimination。 To deal wisely with
different classes of minds； under varied circumstances and conditions； is a
work requiring wisdom and judgment enlightened and sanctified by the Spirit
of God。
In his letter to the Galatian believers Paul briefly reviewed the leading
incidents connected with his own conversion and early Christian experience。
By this means he sought to show that it was through a special manifestation
of divine power that he had been led to see and grasp the great truths of
the gospel。 It was through instruction received from God Himself that Paul
was led to warn and admonish the Galatians in so solemn and positive a
manner。 He wrote； not in hesitancy and doubt； but with the assurance of
settled conviction and absolute knowledge。 He clearly outlined the
difference between being taught by man and receiving instruction direct from
Christ。
The apostle urged the Galatians to leave the false guides by whom they had
been misled； and to return to the faith that had been accompanied by
unmistakable evidences of divine approval。 The men who had attempted to lead
them from their belief in the gospel were hypocrites； unholy in heart and
corrupt in life。 Their religion was made up of a round of ceremonies；
through the performance of which they expected to gain the favor of God。
They had no desire for a gospel that called for obedience to the word；
〃Except a
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man be born again； he cannot see the kingdom of God。〃 John 3：3。 They felt
that a religion based on such a doctrine； required too great a sacrifice；
and they clung to their errors； deceiving themselves and others。
To substitute external forms of religion for holiness of heart and life is
still as pleasing to the unrenewed nature as it was in the days of these
Jewish teachers。 Today； as then； there are false spiritual guides； to whose
doctrines many listen eagerly。 It is Satan's studied effort to divert minds
from the hope of salvation through faith in Christ and obedience to the law
of God。 In every age the archenemy adapts his temptations to the prejudices
or inclinations of those whom he is seeking to deceive。 In apostolic times
he led the Jews to exalt the ceremonial law and reject Christ； at the
present time he induces many professing Christians； under pretense of
honoring Christ； to cast contempt on the moral law and to teach that its
precepts may be transgressed with impunity。 It is the duty of every servant
of God to withstand firmly and decidedly these perverters of the faith and
by the word of truth fearlessly to expose their errors。
In his effort to regain the confidence of his brethren in Galatia； Paul ably
vindicated his position as an apostle of Christ。 He declared himself to be
an apostle； 〃not of men； neither by man； but by Jesus Christ； and God the
Father； who raised Him from the dead。〃 Not from men； but from the highest
Authority in heaven； had he received his commission。 And his position had
been acknowledged by a general council at Jerusalem； with the decisions of
which Paul had complied in all his labors among the Gentiles。
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It was not to exalt self； but to magnify the grace of God； that Paul thus
presented to those who were denying his apostleship； proof that he was 〃not