Grace and Law, Faith and Works: Finding the Balance in Galatians

In Christianity today, confusion often arises regarding the intersection of grace and law, as well as the relationship between faith and works. These aren't just academic questions. They're deeply practical issues about how we're saved and how we should live. Galatians is one of the clearest books in the New Testament addressing these vital subjects. Let’s carefully explore these ideas to clear up common misunderstandings.

Misunderstanding Grace and Law

Throughout history, Christians have struggled to find the right balance between law and grace. Some believe the Old Testament law focused on earning salvation through rule-keeping, whereas the gospel is entirely about grace. This idea can be traced back to influential figures such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, who created a sharp distinction between the law (seen as legalistic) and the gospel (seen as pure grace).

But does this align with what the Bible teaches?

Correcting Misunderstandings about the Law

Contrary to popular thinking, the Law of Moses was never meant as a legalistic path to salvation. The Bible clearly states that even under the Old Testament, salvation was based on God’s grace through faith:

• Israelites were saved by God's mercy and grace (Deuteronomy 30:20; Amos 5:15).

• The law required faith, not just outward works (Habakkuk 2:4; Micah 6:6-8).

• Love and devotion to God were central commands, not just rule-following (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18).

The law was meant to guide people toward God's grace, not replace it.

The Real Problem: Legalism, Not the Law

In Jesus’ time, many Jews, especially Pharisees, turned the law into a legalistic system, believing they could earn salvation through strict obedience. They missed the heart of the law, ignoring justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). This distorted view caused many to reject Jesus, believing they didn't need a Savior because they had the law.

Paul spent his life correcting this mistake, emphasizing that the law itself was holy and good, given to lead people to trust in God’s grace, not their own efforts (Romans 7:12, 14).

What Galatians Teaches about Grace

Galatians powerfully corrects the misconception that we can save ourselves through rule-keeping. Paul strongly emphasizes grace:

• "You have fallen away from grace" if you try to justify yourselves by the law (Galatians 5:4).

• "If righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for nothing" (Galatians 2:21).

Yet, Galatians doesn't dismiss obedience. It clarifies that genuine faith produces obedient lives, but obedience itself doesn’t earn grace. Grace is God’s undeserved kindness given through faith in Christ, not something we achieve by perfect behavior.

Faith vs. Works: A Crucial Distinction

Paul contrasts faith and "works of the law" in Galatians. This doesn’t mean faith and obedience oppose each other. Rather, he distinguishes true faith from legalistic works that attempt to earn God's favor:

• True faith leads to obedient action (Galatians 5:6; James 2:24).

• Legalistic works rely on human effort, seeking salvation by merit rather than mercy (Galatians 3:10-12).

When Paul writes that we’re "not justified by works of the law" (Galatians 2:16), he’s speaking against the idea that we can earn salvation through perfect law-keeping. Salvation has always been a gift of grace through faith. Works are the evidence, not the foundation.

The Proper Place of Law and Works

Galatians clarifies that God's law serves a purpose: it shows us our sin and our need for Christ (Galatians 3:19-24). The law cannot save us by itself, but it guides us toward dependence on grace.

Salvation has always required obedient faith. Abraham’s faith was credited as righteousness because it was an active, obedient faith, not mere belief (Romans 4:12). Similarly, Christians are saved by obedient faith, which involves trusting in Christ and responding obediently to His commands.

Balancing Grace and Obedience Today

Christians today face two common errors:

• Legalism: Trying to earn salvation by rigid rule-following, thinking obedience alone saves.

• Antinomianism: Believing grace means no rules apply, so obedience doesn’t matter.

Galatians corrects both. It teaches us to trust completely in Christ’s grace for salvation, while recognizing that genuine faith always produces obedient action (Galatians 5:6). Grace frees us from legalistic anxiety but calls us into joyful obedience.

A Clear Summary

• Grace is God’s gift, not earned by works (Ephesians 2:8).

• True faith trusts Christ’s work, not our own efforts.

• Obedience is faith’s natural expression—not the way we earn grace.

Conclusion: A Balanced Christianity

Galatians gives us the key to balanced Christianity: being saved by grace, living by faith, and being guided by God's Word. The law reveals our need, grace provides the solution, and obedient faith is our response. Understanding this properly protects us from extremes and helps us live confident, joyful lives in Christ’s grace.

Let’s walk this clear, balanced path, trusting fully in Christ’s grace while joyfully obeying His commands as faithful children of God.