Salvation by Grace or by Rules?

Galatians 2 Where have you met others who insist that you must do this or that to be an acceptable Christian, like the lady in our former church that insisted that women must wear hats, gloves and dresses to be a “true Christian.” She, like these who infiltrated the Jerusalem church are called legalizers by definition because of their insistence that salvation must be accompanied by an outward sign. 

It is into this that Paul mentions two other men, Barnabas and Titus, who are Gentiles by birth. Both have special places in the heart of Paul and are used by God to help him in various matters. They are trustworthy men and God has noted their faithfulness. They are accepted by the church without the rite of circumcision, because as Paul notes, that rite is of the Law and not by grace. It is a rite God set for the Jews but not for the Gentiles. The Galatian church needed this reassurance that they too would be acceptable without this rite. 

Where have you met others who insist that you must do this or that to be an acceptable Christian? Today do not allow others, the “busy-bodies,” to take your salvation gift away by some outward antiquated rules that God did not require.