Galatians 2:17-21
Justified by Faith
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 were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Yesterday’s passage in Galatians 2:14-16 was very important; in that, when we believe in Christ we are justified in Christ by faith. That is the beginning of our new life in Christ. However, In the process of being saved, Scripture tells us we were justified, or saved, in our past, present, and future life. In the past, we were chosen in Him before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:3-7). Presently, we work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). The Apostle Paul explained this aspect of our progressive sanctification in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, which says, ” For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.” And in the future, we will be glorified with Him as it says in 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
However, the focus of today’s passage is in regard to our present salvation in the here and now. This is where many have failed and fallen in their service to Christ. Nevertheless, if you are a child of God by faith because you believe in Him who died for you, fear not! He will never leave you nor forsake you! (Hebrews 13:5).
In context to our passage, Galatians 2:17-21, the Jews are saying they are justified by works of the law, e.g., being circumcised and following the Mosiac dietary laws. But, if the Jews who follow the law find out that they are in fact sinners under the law like the Gentiles, are they justified because of their circumcision? Or, will Christ himself tolerate and condone their willingness to sin? “God forbid!” The purpose of the law is to show us our need for Christ (Galatians 3:19-25); for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Therefore, with the law, we die, so that we may now live to God.
Galatians 2:20 is a great memory verse that we all need to know and revere. It says, “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.” This verse has been a life-saving passage for many in ministry. Christ taught us in Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Our call is to be like Christ. We must deny all the lustful passions of the flesh because we are actually dead to the flesh in Christ. We now have the power of God in us through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit of God, so now we can and are able to control our own bodies in holiness. Without dying to sin and living for Christ, having a selfless life that is pleasing to God is impossible. But by faith in Christ, all things are possible. In John 12, there were Greeks who wished to see Jesus. Jesus told his disciples in John 12:24-26. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” In the same way and as Paul said in Galatians 2:20, unless we fall to the ground and die to the old life that we lived in the flesh, then, by the power of God, He will raise us to a new life whereby we walk by faith in the Son of God. Even so, in our baptism, are we not buried with him in baptism, and raise by Him so we may walk in newness of life? That was our profession to the world when we, by obedience, were baptized by our churches. This is our Christian life: this is our sanctification: being separated from worldly pursuits and living unto God.
It truly breaks my heart when I hear young people ask for prayer and tell me that they struggle with passions that are ungodly. “They love the Lord God so very much,” they say. And they weep because they are in agony because of their youthful passions. If I, as an old man with many years following my Lord Jesus Christ, could say one word of encouragement to these young folks, I would tell them as Evangelist said to Christian in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, to run and run fast to yonder gate on the hill. “Go!” said the angel to Lot and his family. The angel said for them to not look back and perish. Yet, Lot’s wife looked back because she cherished in her heart the passions of lust that the sinful city of Sodom provided. She was immediately turned into a pillar of salt. Ananais and Sapphira sold their property in Acts 5, so they can give the money to the church. Yet, in their lusts, they kept back a portion and told the apostles they are giving all to the Lord. Peter told them they were not lying to man, but to God and they fell down dead. In the same way, if we, who are in Christ, are grounded in our earthly passions, we too will die in our sins. We will either receive the rod of discipline from our heavenly Father or die in eternal fire after the Final Judgment on that great day! Young men and young ladies! Run! Flee from the devil and he will leave you alone (James 4:7). Know that Christ in you has given you victory. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”
><> ><> PRAYER <>< <><
My Father God and Lord Jesus Christ, I need you every hour! I need you to take these lustful passions away from my life, and from those who have confided in me in my church. We desire to live a holy life pleasing to You. May we understand that the righteous shall live by faith. And when we are tempted to sin, may we also understand what Paul meant when You told him, “My grace is sufficient. Give us grace, O Lord, give us faith to overcome the world! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!
><> ><> BIBLE VERSES ON SANCTIFICATION <>< <><
Matthew 5:48, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
2 Corinthians 7:1, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body[a] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.“
Ephesians 4:1, “I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,“
1 Thessalonians 4:7, “For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.“
Hebrews 12:14, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.“
><> ><> CHRISTIAN HYMN <>< <><
Hymn: Take Time to be Holy, by William D. Longstaff in 1882
