"You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ." We know from explanations later in this letter to the Galatians that some were teaching that Gentile Christians had to follow the Mosaic law. The Apostle Paul absolutely rejected any requirements for salvation besides faith in Jesus:
"Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live" (vs. 4). Paul was shocked that the Galatian Christians were following teachings that added other requirements to the gospel of Christ. Paul classified it as a
pretend gospel--one that is hypothetical, even fraudulent. So, Paul reminded the Galatians that they received the Holy Spirit because they believed the message of Christ and not because they adhered to the requirements of the Mosaic law (vs. 3:2,5). Don't be fooled by any gospel that adds other requirements to salvation. We are saved and receive the Holy Spirit only through God's grace and not because of anything we can do. Then, we respond to God's mercy by righteous living that is enabled and empowered by the indwelling Spirit:
"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives" (vs. 5:25).
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