Let’s turn to the Bible and open to Galatians chapter 3. As always, we come to hear from the Lord, allowing Him to speak through His Word. The Bible is the Word of God—every word is true, every word is pure. It is the only direct, written revelation we have from God. Contained within the 66 books of the Bible—39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament—lies this divine revelation. No one is allowed to add or subtract from it, for doing so will bring the plagues described within it upon them. This is God’s message to us, delivered from heaven.

Because the Bible is without equal, it rises above all else in this world. Its message is heavenly, and it is our responsibility to approach it with the understanding it reveals. Every Sunday, and during the week in various settings, the Bible remains the focus of our study, our attention, and our interest.

We are currently studying the book of Galatians, written to the churches in the region of Galatia, an area in the Mediterranean under Roman control during the time of the apostles. Paul had planted several churches there, and his letter was distributed to all the believers to address issues they were facing. False teachers had come into the region, spreading a distorted gospel. This situation deeply troubled Paul, as it was early in his ministry and he knew how vulnerable these believers were, despite the strong foundation of their faith.

Paul’s letter addresses these false teachings. In the first two chapters, he defends his apostolic authority, emphasizing that he was called, taught, and sent by Christ Himself. He establishes that it is his message they should follow, not the false teachers. In chapters 3 and 4, Paul focuses on clarifying the true gospel of grace. The false teachers were claiming that grace, the cross, and the Holy Spirit were insufficient—that one could not enter the Kingdom of God without adhering to circumcision and the law of Moses. This addition of works to grace and faith was a distorted gospel.

Paul is so alarmed by this that he begins his letter without any commendation. Instead, he immediately expresses his shock and dismay over their abandonment of the true gospel: “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel, which is really not another. There are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, let him be accursed!” (Galatians 1:6-9).

This is how Paul begins his letter—pronouncing a curse on anyone who preaches a false gospel. The Galatians’ deviation from the truth of the gospel was shocking to Paul, leading him to chapter 3, where he defends the gospel of grace and faith in more detail, continuing through chapters 3 and 4.

Now, let’s read the first five verses of chapter 3: “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? Before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. This is the only thing I want to know from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you experience so much in vain—if it was in vain?” (Galatians 3:1-5).