What Does It Mean To Fall From Grace? A Closer Look At Gal.5:4

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:4

What does it mean to “fall from grace” from the above scripture?

First, I’ve got to warn you. Understanding what Paul was saying in that scripture will free you from religious shackles and cause unending joy like a river to flow out of your innermost being.

If you don’t mind that at all, then sit back and enjoy this piece!

The above scripture like every other verse of the Bible, is best understood in the context of the whole book.

That is, to understand that verse, we need to first understand the whole book of Galatians, paying special attention to the author, audience, tone of writing, message, chapter, previous verses and the ones that followed after. That way we can never be in error.

In this book, we see the apostle Paul using his strongest tone in writing, to address the Galatian church.

These were a people that heard the gospel of God’s unconditional love and grace extended to sinful mankind, believed the message and were saved.

But after some time, some “other gospels” started flying around which were not really the gospel of Jesus.

These “other gospels” or teachings spread so much to the point the whole church was greatly affected. And Paul had to write

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

“which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

“As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Gal.1:6-9

What was it about this “other gospel” that made Paul the apostle to place a curse on whosoever preaches it to the Galatian believers?

The thing is, this “other gospel” was focused on what a man has to do by himself in order to be justified before God rather than focusing on what God by his grace, has done for man.

The preachers of this other gospel infiltrated the church and started telling the people that they need to be circumcised and live according to the Laws of Moses before they can be righteous before God.

The shocking part was that this was a people that had already believed God accepts men by faith based on the sacrifice of His Son Jesus.

But when this new teaching of “honour the sabbath day, don’t eat this, don’t wear this, do this and don’t do this so God will be pleased with you” came, they forgot all they have been taught about God’s grace and salvation and started trying to earn that Salvation by their own works or performance.

Paul had to call them “foolish” and “bewitched” for this.

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

“This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith?

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3

They wanted like today’s believers, to be righteous before God by what they do instead of believing in what Christ has already done for them. Unknowingly to them, they were frustrating the grace of God by that act.

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Gal.2:21

It was this slipping back to the Law of Moses that Paul called to “fall from grace.”

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Gal.5:4

To fall from grace here does not mean the believer has lost his salvation or is no longer born again.

It simply means that the believer having been saved by grace, has gone back to living by the Law in order to “earn” what he already has.

This is gross error. A total display of ignorance, foolishness and bewitchment. It is like a dog chasing after its own tail.

You are already righteous as believer, you are justified and saved by the faith you have already put in Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross for you.

Quit trying to live by the laws of Moses in order to get what you already have. Salvation is only possible by grace through faith.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

If it was possible to be gotten by man’s effort, then Jesus wouldn’t have died in the first place.

Today like apostle Paul I say, if any man or angel, comes to preach to you another way of becoming righteous or justified before God except by faith in Jesus, let him be accursed.

Galatians 5 verse 1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Dear believer, stand in this liberty of the grace of God and do not go back to the works of the Law.

You already have all you seek after (righteousness, justification, redemption and much more) given to you. It is all yours. Quit trying to “earn” them.

Glory to God!

You are much loved.