Once again, the gospel takes center stage. It is (and always has been) the gospel—and nothing else—that defines the people of God. The good news of Galatians is that the gospel formerly promised to Abraham has now been realized in Jesus Christ.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Galatians 3:27–29

Who are God’s people?

Ask ten people off the street this question and you’ll likely receive ten different answers. Thankfully, God has not left us to our speculations or opinion polls, as He has clearly revealed such truths in His Word. The Apostle Paul takes on this topic in his letter to the Galatians. However, rather than beginning with a definition of God’s people, Paul begins with the gospel. While many today invent checklists such as works of charity or a vague “spirituality” to discern God’s people, Paul starts with the good news. So vital is this message that if even an angel should preach a so-called “different gospel,” Paul says, “Let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8). These are strong words indeed, but it only further underscores the weightiness of the gospel.

What’s all the fuss?

The New Testament makes it clear that Jesus is the Son of God who gave His life as a perfect sacrifice upon the cross. Christ bore the penalty of God’s holy wrath unto sin for all who would trust in Him alone. In union with Christ, sinners are declared righteous and justified before God.

However, this good news was obscured in Galatia as some started to teach that works played a part in a sinner’s justification. Some were so bold as to rely on the works of the law, even insisting that circumcision, for example, was required to be a Christian. Have you ever had the sneaking thought that your works, at least in part, are what make you right with God?

If so, you’re not alone, and you’d have sympathizers in Galatia. But it is this dangerous idea that has Paul exclaiming, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Gal. 3:1). The great folly of trusting in our works is that it directly opposes trusting in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift of His grace, unmerited by man’s works. Paul makes plain the damnable and dead-end road of works-righteousness when he declares that “by works of the law no one shall be justified” (Gal. 2:16). Indeed, “if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose” (Gal. 2:21). In other words, the death of Christ accomplished what the law never could—the justification of sinners before a holy God.

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