Paul writes to the Galatian church to encourage them not to abandon the gospel of Jesus Christ. This news is divinely given, not the fabrication of man's imagination, and is transformational to those who receive it. Paul gives examples from his own life of the transformation he experienced. The power of the gospel transformed thought as well as action. The rituals once looked to for acceptance into the group of "God's people" were no longer depended upon for admission. Those who sought to return to following the law as the standard for acceptance with God were corrected harshly so that the bountiful grace of God might be mightily displayed.
This is what concerned Paul - someone had turned the Galatian's thoughts to following the law rather than relying on the grace of God for their standing before Him. Paul reminds the church that those who seek to follow the law will always be condemned by it, since that is how it functions. Christ, however, came to remove the condemnation of the law by becoming condemned in our place. Since the law condemns all, Jesus' provision is available to all, and is able to make those under its influence sons and heirs of God.
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