April 17, 2014
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW
Galatians 2:11–21
Tom Martin
Central Truth
A person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.
Key Verse | Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Galatians 2:11–21
Paul Opposes Peter
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 1 2:12 Or fearing those of the circumcision 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Justified by Faith
15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified 2 2:16 Or counted righteous (three times in verse 16); also verse 17 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.
17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness 3 2:21 Or justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Dive Deeper | Galatians 2:11–21
In this passage, the basis of salvation is the main issue. Is salvation through faith in Christ alone, or does it come through Christ and works? Paul has taken issue with Peter because while in the company of Gentiles, Peter practiced salvation through faith, however; when in the company of the Jewish Christians, Peter compromised his beliefs and appeared to practice salvation through faith and obeying the Law.
Compromise is important for relationships and getting along with others, but when dealing with the truth of God's Word, you cannot come down on both sides of an issue. When the Bible is clear, there is no room for compromise. On the issue of salvation, God's Word tells us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) God is not impressed with our deeds; He requires our devotion.
Too many Christians want to go to heaven, but they also love the world. As the saying goes, however, you cannot have your cake and eat it, too. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15) In the key verse for today's Journey, Paul tells us that he has chosen Christ over the world. He has accepted Christ's sacrificial death and put his old life to death--in fact, crucified his old life so as to identify with Christ. "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:5)
Instead, Paul tells us he will live a life of faith, trusting in Christ because Paul knows that He loved him so much that He died for his sins. All believers must come to the same place as Paul. Otherwise, as verse 21 tells us, we "nullify the grace of God . . . [and] Christ died for no purpose."
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever found yourself in a position in which you were tempted to compromise your beliefs in order to fit in with the crowd? How did that work out for you?
2. Have you come to a place in which you fully trust in the grace of God for your salvation? If not, what is holding you back?
3. What about the world or the things of the world do you love? What do you need to do to bring your heart into alignment with God's Word?