If I want to be a really good Christian, I must....
How you would finish that sentence is critical. Finish it incorrectly, as many people do, and you fall into the same trap that ensnared first-century Christians in Galatia.
This expository study of Galatians, Paul's first epistle, can help you complete the sentence correctly. And it will clearly tell you one way not to complete it.
It's great to be a Christian. It's even better to be a really good Christian and at the same time BE FREE!
A Wiersbe classic that all should read Apr 4, 2004
Christianity is a relationship between God and each believer, with Jesus being the mediator (First Timothy 2:5). That relationship sometimes breaks down because we frail humans always want to take the easy way out. The easy way out is to make rules about how we should live, such as "never drink alcohol" and "never go to movies." Wiersbe explains why rules like those are detrimental to a believer's growth. He explains in simple but precise ways that the Law of Moses was intended to cause each of us to realize two things: (1) we cannot please God by following the Law because we can't follow the Law (2)and the Law was designed to teach us that we need a savior from the Law. That savior is none other than Jesus, the mediator between a holy God and unholy mankind. Wiersbe's book is simply a great book. Read it and Be Free!
But Wait, What Is Freedom? Jul 2, 2002
Christian Freedom...what is it? Abolition of the Law? That's anti-nomianism! This is a well written commentary, but it makes a few hermaneutical mistakes, one of the few instances when Weirsbe doesn't diligently research the historical background for his commentary. Weirsbe presents his Galatians' Comments in an anti-Torah manner, which contradicts both the teaching of Jesus Himself (Matthew 5-Jesus states that He came to re-inforce/build-up the Torah, after all He gave it) and the life walk of Paul the Apostle who confirms that he continues to live a Torah observant lifestyle even after he wrote this book. (See Acts 21:24) Paul's thesis in Galatians is not that we are free from GOD'S LAWS (Torah) but that SALVATION is not based on following the law. Salvation is by GRACE ALONE and once inside that 'grace covenant' we are free and able to be Torah observant. That is true freedom as David expresses in Psalm 119:45-"And I will walk in liberty; for I seek thy precepts (Torah)."
For Better Commentary on Galations try the book by Berkowitz, 'Take Hold' or a book by Tim Hegg 'The Letter Writer'.
