Salvation is Not of The Law
October 28, 2021
Commentary
The basis of salvation is the issue in this passage. Is salvation through Christ alone or does it come through Christ and adherence to the law. If observing the Jewish laws cannot justify us, why should we still obey the ten commandments and other Old Testament laws? Paul says we are Jews by birth and are not like Gentiles. But we know that God accepts only those who have faith in Jesus Christ, whether we are Jews or Gentiles. No one can please God by simply obeying the law. So we put our faith in Christ Jesus, and God accepted us because of our faith (vv. 15-16). As Paul will explain later in this letter, the law was given to reveal sin and not to redeem from sin ( Rom. 3:20).
Christ does not make us sinners (v. 17). Paul’s argument to Peter was that we did not find salvation through the law; we found it through faith in Christ. Furthermore, by going back into legalism, you are building up what you tore down (v. 18). It was the law itself that killed me and freed me from its power, so that I could live for God (v. 19). I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. I have died, but Christ lives in me (v. 20). And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. I don’t turn my back on God’s undeserved kindness (v. 21). If we can be acceptable to God by obeying the Law, it was useless for Christ to die. Believers today may still be in danger of acting as if Christ died for nothing.
Application
God has provided a way of salvation that depends on Jesus Christ and not my own efforts. Even though I know this truth, I must guard against the temptation of using service, good deeds, charitable giving, or any other effort as a substitute for faith.
Galatians 2:15– 21 (NET)
15 We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, 16 yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. 17 But if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages sin? Absolutely not! 18 But if I build up again those things I once destroyed, I demonstrate that I am one who breaks God’s law. 19 For through the law I died to the law so that I may live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside God’s grace, because if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!