Shady, smooth-talking politicians today promise sweeping changes for the good of the people, but often are interested only in gaining power for their own sakes. Not all are like that, but for many the people really mean nothing to them. The same might be said of some religious leaders. In the Galatians’ situations, certain men were seeking to gain a following among the new believers, but with insincere motives. Yes, they eagerly sought the Galatians, as did Paul. However, the Judaizers really cared nothing for the Galatians.

This reminds us of Jesus’ blistering condemnation, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves” (Matt 23:15). No wonder Paul twice pronounced a curse on those who preach a different gospel (Galatians 1:8-9). They disturb and distort (1:7), bring Christians into bondage (2:4), bring fear (2:12), foster hypocrisy and duplicity (2:13-14), destroy what Paul had built (2:18), nullify grace (2:21), bring people back under the curse of the law (3:10), turn people back to the weak and worthless things (4:9) and render Paul’s work vain (4:11).

Paul, in contrast, genuinely had the Galatians’ wellbeing in mind. “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin” (2 Corinthians 11:2).

The false teachers “wish to shut you out.” But Paul’s message of grace freed people from being “shut up” by the law (Galatians 3:23 same word). Now that grace is here through the message of Jesus Christ, the law is no longer needed, its work is done. To continue teaching law is a complete negation of grace. Adding moral or religious behavior to the message of grace is not simply a modification of Paul’s message of grace, nor is it an improvement on or clarification of Paul’s message. It is a complete nullification of the message! Grace plus anything is not grace at all. Grace plus works of the law equals works of the law—and is therefore under God’s severest condemnation.

On an interesting personal note, it is not wrong to want to feel wanted (“eagerly sought”). However, the desire to feel accepted should be kept in check so as not to end up following whatever false teachers happen to be present. Believers need to stand firm, and if necessary stand alone, in grace.

Lord, You accept me in Your grace. Help me stay focused so I don’t fall back into the worthless things of legalistic religion that leaves me feeling insecure.