From Dilution to Devotion | Galatians 2:15-16

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. — Galatians 2:15-16

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The following seven verses of this chapter are a highly potent, compressed, and theological language that drives home the whole point of the book. Paul's single point is this: acceptance by God is affected by a simple act of trust in Jesus Christ, not by adding anything else. And you need to remember because it's easy for this to get lost; the problem in Galatia is not a denial of the faith but the dilution of the faith by additions to the faith.

Keeping this in mind, Paul is stating that the only thing that matters is faith in Jesus Christ. A man's heritage and race are not the factor. We are all born sinful, Gentiles and Jews alike. The only birth that mattered was the birth of the sinless man, Jesus, God's Son. His work is our justification. His justifying work on the Cross, proven by his resurrection, fulfilled the works of the Law in a way no man could. Therefore, preaching a Gospel of any addition to the faith is a dilution of the faith. Adding something to the Gospel ends up taking everything from it.

But does this mean we shouldn't do good work? No!

It only means that when I am doing good works, that I am doing them from the overflow of His love, not to earn His love. I must be habitually aware that my salvation has been obtained by Jesus for me and that anything good work that comes from me is an overflow of his work in me. This means only that there is no such thing as self-justification for a believer. The only justifying work that matters is Jesus Christ's, so today, say it with spiritual confidence—"He has justified me!"

#FaithAlone #GraceOverWorks #JustifiedByChrist #GospelTruth #OverflowOfHisLove

ASK THIS:

How does understanding that our justification comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ impact the way we approach good works and service in our daily lives? Reflecting on your own journey of faith, how has the realization of being justified by Christ's work on the Cross influenced your understanding of self-justification and reliance on His grace?

DO THIS: Say it with spiritual confidence—"He has justified me!"

PRAY THIS: Father, thank you for the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, through which I am justified. Help me to live each day in the overflow of Your love, freely sharing the grace I've received with others. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Justified By Faith Alone.