Mailbag: Galatians

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Paul wrote a letter to the Galatian Christians as a reminder that Jesus, not religion, is the center of our faith.

From the first century to today, it’s easy for Jesus’ followers to fall into the trap of dead, lifeless, legalistic religion. But Jesus invites us beyond the borders of religious rules, regulations, rituals, and routines into a relationship with himself. A relationship that leads to a lifestyle of love for others.

Throughout the ages, Jesus has been sidelined as churches get distracted by religion. Paul’s letter serves as a reminder to Jesus followed across history that “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

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Check out Sunday’s message above, then, continue the conversation with the reading plan and resources below.

This week, we’re reading Paul’s entire letter to the Galatians together. You might follow the plan below or simply read it through multiple times this week.

  • Monday: Galatians 1

  • Tuesday: Galatians 2

  • Wednesday: Galatians 3

  • Thursday: Galatians 4

  • Friday: Galatians 5

  • Saturday: Galatians 6

Check out the resources used in this week’s teaching, as well as books you can explore if you’d like to dive deeper into our conversation.

  • Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians, by Tom Wright 

  • Everyday Bible Study: James & Galatians, by Scot McNight 

  • Freedom from Religiosity and Judgmentalism, by Mark D. Baker

  • Galatians for You, by Tim Keller 

  • Grace in Galatia, by Ben Witherington

  • End of Religion, by Bruxy Cavey 

  • Repenting from Religion, by Greg Boyd 

  • Centered Set Church, by Mark D. Baker 

  • Sacred Quest, by Doug Banister

  • Apostle of the Crucified Lord, by Michael J. Gorman* 

  • Paul And First-Century Letter Writing, by E. Randolph Richards* 

  • Paul: A Biography, by N.T. Wright* 

    *Used in all of the Mailbag series teachings

Also, check out this full video course on Galatians from the Bible Project. 

  1. What are some of the ways you’ve seen churches replace Jesus with religion?

  2. Why do you think we are so tempted to replace Jesus with religion and rules?

  3. Paul said the only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love. What does that look like?

  4. Even good things can be a distraction if they take the place of Jesus at the center of our faith. What are some examples of this in modern Christian culture?

  5. Why do you think the statement “Jesus+Nothing=Everything” is so controversial to some people in the church?