Galatians and Righteousness (5) Human Problem

Humans have two main problems.

• The first problem is shame. Our sinfulness causes shame that makes us afraid of God, so that we hide from him, when we should be seeking him. Proving ourselves righteous does not deal with shame. The solution to shame is forgiveness. If we know that God has forgiven us and accepted us as we can draw near to God with confidence.

• The second problem is that sin gives the spiritual powers of evil control over humans. We become slaves of sin, death and unrighteousness. This is the problem that Paul worries about most. The good news is that Jesus delivered us from their power by his death and resurrection. He has rescued us and set us free to serve God in the power of the Spirit.

  The spiritual powers of evil try to retain their power and control, by accusing us before God and demanding our punishment. But Jesus has dealt with that problem by his death on the cross. His shedding of blood means that they can no longer accuse us and claim the right to inflict a curse on us. Jesus has set us free from both their accusations and their control. This is the good news that Paul was so excited about.

Humans do not have a problem with God. He is loving and kind and full of mercy. He is sad that humans have rejected him and allowed the spiritual powers of evil to control their lives, but he is not mad with us. His wrath does not need to be appeased.

The Jewish Christians who were worrying the Gentile Christians in Galatia were worried about God. They believed they need to prove their righteousness to him. Paul responded to their need by explaining that we are made righteous in God’s eyes by faith in Jesus. If we trust in Jesus, we are united with him in his death and resurrection. When God looks on us, he sees Jesus’ righteousness and attributes it to us too. We are righteous before him.

This obsession with righteousness is the focus of Jewish Christians. Paul dealt with their concerns because they were a threat to his gospel, but demonstrating righteousness was not his primary concern. The was far more concerned about deliverance from spiritual powers of evil that sin has allowed into the world. Jesus defeated them, so Paul wants us to share in his victory of the powers that he has delivered us from.