Galatians was written by the apostle Paul to a group of churches in modern-day Turkey. The reason for this letter was a group of religious opponents that constantly gave Paul problems during his ministry - the Judaizers.
In the days of the early church, Christianity was seen as a Jewish religion by much of the outside world. And much debate and discussion was given within the Early Church about it's relationship to Judaism. The Judaizers were those who adamantly insisted that anyone converting still had to follow the regulations and rules of the Old Testament. To become a Jew, one would have to submit to circumcision and follow the various rituals and sacrifices the people of Israel adopted. The problem was, these standards and rules became so important as traditions, the people of Israel widely viewed them as works that had to be done in order to maintain a good standing with God.
With Jesus, that whole paradigm was changed. Paul sets forth clear doctrine in his letter to the Galatians that Jesus has set us free; free from the law and free from legalism. In Christ, we are free.
The principle remains the same for us some 2,000 years later. Every other religion consists of it's own rules and regulations that force on it's adherents a works-based righteousness. Christianity offers grace. And freedom.
We are free from sin through the free grace God offers us in His Son.
We are freed from legalism and doomed life of striving to be 'good-enough' because Jesus paid it all and did it all on our behalf.
We love our freedoms in this country. People can't stop talking about them when it comes to governmental policies and life choices. We have no clue what real freedom is, apart from Christ.
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