“You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” Galatians 5:4
The phrase “fallen from grace” has been dramatically abused throughout time. It is typically used to describe someone who has been scandalized by failure. Politicians caught in lies, athletes cheating, pastors falling, performers faking, etc. but in the context of the Bible to “fall from grace” means to turn from Christ to the law to be made right with God and others.
Have you ever sinned, asked God for forgiveness, but then gone on to work hard to “make it up” to God? This is a fall from grace.
Or maybe you have looked to the death and resurrection of Jesus for salvation, but now you think you need to get a handle on your sin issues by working a program or doing extra good works to balance out your sins. If so, you have fallen from grace.
Have you been offended by the scandalous sin of another, heard of or seen the sinner repent, but resented the forgiveness and restoration they received? Does your personal pain eclipse your ability to rejoice with the sinner that repents? You have fallen from grace.
To “fall from grace” in the context of this passage does not mean to lose one’s salvation. To “fall from grace” means to turn from Christ and turn to the Law for sanctification. To “fall from grace” is turning to a pharisaical way of life centered in appearances, the flesh, merit, and self. To “fall from grace” means you are working for your sanctification apart from the grace of God and not experiencing the grace that abounds at the cross of Christ, and if you’re not experiencing it, you’re unable to give it to others.
This was the experience of the believers in Galatia. They started out by “seeing” the picture of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, that Paul had “painted” with gospel words (Galatians 3:1). They believed this message. They were saved by grace alone through faith in Christ crucified. They were justified before the Father by the blood of the Lamb from the Cross. But then they were lured away from the cross with the idea that the law was their guide to sanctification and perfection. So, Paul writes: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3 Friend, when you lose sight of the cross of Christ, you fall from grace. You do not grow out of the gospel or mature apart from the cross of Christ. You only grow in grace by remaining in the love of Jesus that flows from His cross. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6 NIV) And “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16 NIV
As a believer, you belong to the Lord (Romans 14:8). If you would please God, you must believe in Jesus (John 6:29), experience His love (1 John 4:16) and be compelled by His love (2 Corinthians 5:14). In Christ, grace abounds and love wins.
The law leads you to condemnation, judgment, and suffering, but on the cross, Christ stood in your place. Jesus fulfilled the law for you and attributed His righteousness to you. Grace abounded to you at the cross; do not be diverted from it now. “Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness” (Romans 10:4).