Faith Vs Ritualism

In Paul’s Letter to the Galatians in Turkey, he describes how Faith supersedes Ritualism.

In the following verse from Galatians, I have substituted the word Law for Ritualism, so that the meaning is clearer in todays context.

Galatians 3:23 paraphrased, “But before Faith came, we were kept in Custody under Ritualism”

Paul sets a very serious tone by using the word Custody. If someone were to be taken into Custody it usually means their freedoms are curtailed and they may be incarcerated.

So Paul is emphasising here that being under the Custody of Law or Ritualism is not a good place to be.

Notice Paul did not say that we were holidaying under the Law or Ritualism.

Paul continues in Galatians 3:23, “being shut up to the Faith which was later to be revealed.”

This implies that when we are stuck in Religious Legalism or Ritualism, we are blocked from receiving the Faith of Christ by Grace.

Not only are we blocked, but also the door of Faith is shut to us if we think lighting Candles and Incense to Multiple different Mediators is going to Save us.

If you walk by Faith you do not need Ritualistic Practices.

Our fictitious Professor Scrooge from the Theological Seminary for Ritualistic Games disagrees. “When Paul is talking about Faith in Galatians he has a variety of meanings for the word Faith, so we cannot take his reference to Faith at face value. He might be meaning this type of Faith in one context and another entirely different Faith in another context”

This is the classic example of what Paul is referring to in Galatians 3:23, Professor Scrooge is totally confused about the Faith Paul is explaining because the Revelation of Faith is blocked to the Professor.

The Professor refuses to accept what Paul is revealing about Faith because it totally contradicts everything the Professor is Teaching about the Ritualism System.

Professor Scrooge cannot understand the Faith that Paul is revealing, so he seeks to confuse his students as to the meaning of Faith.

This is why Martin Luther was viciously opposed by the Ritual System Legalists of his day.

Would you like to Receive Faith by Grace of Jesus?