The term, “fallen from grace” has become a religious cliché.  The Apostle Paul uses this phrase in talking to the Christians of the Galatian churches in the book of Galatians, 5:4.

But do we know what it really means?

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

So let’s look at it “in context” of the rest of the chapter in which this phrase appears.  In Chapter 5, Paul talks about our liberty in Christ, saying Christ has made us free from the law (ch. 5:1-3). this would refer to ANY form of legalism as a means to be right with God, because Christ has freed us from self-performance or rules/law to come to God. Then, he begins vs. 4 by saying, “Christ is become of no effect unto you whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”  In other words, when you try to keep rules/laws to gain acceptance, validation or access to God, then what Christ has done for you - setting you free from the law, has no benefit.

The NKJV says it like this, “You have become estranged from Christ.”  Then continues with, “you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”  (Gal. 5:4 NKJV)

Often, Christians assume this phrase “fall from grace” means that the grace of God has been taken away from an individual; and most often due to sin.  But this is not true.  Paul clearly states that it is the result of the individual’s efforts to be justified apart from Christ’s redemptive works of the cross.  It really refers to someone who turns their back on the free gift of righteousness (right standing) by grace and instead seeks to be justified through self-effort; by performance based works, and self-righteousness.

This does not necessarily mean a Christian has turned his back on God, but trusts in himself and his own efforts to receive from Him.  This makes the sacrifice and grace that comes through Jesus Christ vain. It is in contradiction to the liberty we received in Christ, as the Apostle Paul explains, and therefore, voids the power of what Christ has done in our lives.

The book of Romans lets us know without a doubt that we could never earn or satisfy God in our own efforts or merit.  God has given us His righteousness, and we must receive it by faith.

Romans 3:21-24 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed…….even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe

Romans 4:14, 16a says, “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect, Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

You can’t mix the two.  Another way to look at it is whenever we lose confidence in trusting God and begin to trust in ourselves for justification, acceptance, or worth, we fall from grace.   Our right standing with God, our acceptance into fellowship with Him and therefore our relationship is now based on what Christ did and our faith in Christ.

Hebrews 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?