From the Father’s Will to the Cross’s Glory

2026-03-02 - 00:07

Galatians 1:3–5 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Before Paul confronts error, he anchors us in the gospel. He begins with GRACE AND PEACE. Not effort and anxiety. Not law and pressure. Grace is God’s unearned favour toward sinners. Peace is its fruit—reconciliation with God through Christ. This is the atmosphere of the Christian life: not striving, but standing in what God has done. Then Paul reminds us what that grace cost. Christ “gave Himself for our sins.” The gospel is not self-improvement. It’s self-sacrifice—Christ’s. Jesus didn’t come to assist us or enhance our efforts. He gave Himself for us. Fully. Willingly. Substitutionally. He took what was ours so that we might receive what is His. Why? “To rescue us from the present evil age.” We were not mildly mistaken. We were captive. Salvation is rescue—deliverance not only from guilt, but from the grip and direction of a world system opposed to God. Christ didn’t simply adjust our path; He transferred us from darkness into His light. And this rescue was “according to the will of our God and Father.” The cross wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a reaction. It was the Father’s design. Redemption was His purpose from the beginning. The gospel magnifies God—not man. Salvation displays His grace, His initiative, and His glory. Here is the foundation for Galatians: Grace initiated. Christ sacrificed. We were rescued. God is glorified. And here’s the lesson for us: If salvation is entirely God’s work, it can’t be improved by ours. We begin in grace. We continue in grace. We stand in grace. Prayer: Father, thank You for the grace and peace that come through the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You that He gave Himself to rescue us according to Your will. Guard us from diminishing the cross by trusting in our own effort. May our lives reflect Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Have a great week. God bless and lots’a love, Warren