A Word from the Author
A Word
from the
Author
Galatians is a dangerous book.
It exposes the most popular substitute for spiritual living that we have in our churches today—legalism. I didn’t say “among the false cults.” I said “in the churches” because that is where much legalism is today.
Millions of believers think they are “spiritual” because of what they don’t do—or because of the leader they follow—or because of the group they belong to. The Lord shows us in Galatians how wrong we are—and how right we can be if only we would let the Holy Spirit take over.
When the Holy Spirit does take over, there will be liberty, not bondage—cooperation, not competition—glory to God, not praise to man. The world will see true Christianity, and sinners will come to know the Savior. There is an old-fashioned word for this: revival.
After spending months studying Galatians, I am humbled and challenged. Humbled because I don’t think God is too impressed with our ministries, no matter how impressed men may be. Challenged because I myself need to start living deeper and ministering deeper. I need to dare to let the Holy Spirit have His way, whether my life or ministry fits the current pattern or not.
So, I say: Galatians is a dangerous book. It was dangerous for Paul to write it. It was dangerous for the Galatians to read it. Perhaps my writing this study of it will prove to have been a dangerous thing. (I might lose some friends and some invitations to preach!)
So be it. All I pray is that you and I will appreciate and experience the liberty we have in Christ, lest He have died in vain.
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
My friend—Be Free!
—Warren W. Wiersbe