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Faith and Identification with Christ

Scripture reading for August 18: Galatians 2

“For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 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. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness was through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” Galatians 2:19-21

Paul explained to the Galatian believers how no one could be made righteous or be justified before God through the keeping of the law. The law involved personal effort and our work to keep it. However, through human effort to keep the law, no flesh can or will be justified. (Galatians 2:16) The law of God brought to light our sin nature but could not fix it. Paul explained it as dying to the law through trying to keep it. Human effort or good works will always fall short.

But now, through faith in Jesus Christ, Who Alone perfectly kept God’s law, we can now live for God and be justified. Paul described his death to the law as ‘being crucified with Christ.’ The old “Saul” who sought to kill Christ’s followers was now dead. But “Saul” now lived as Paul, made alive in Christ as a gift of His grace. Paul stated that if he could have earned righteousness through keeping the law, Christ’s death would have been in vain–of no value. But the true world view Paul now held was of eternal life through Christ living in him. By grace through faith in the one true Gospel, he had been justified before God and made righteous. Any attempt to add human works nullifies God’s Gift of grace!

Have you ever tried to keep God’s law or a set of rules to earn your acceptance with God? Have you identified with Jesus Christ so that you can personally make Paul’s confession of faith in Galatians 2:20? What does it mean to ‘nullify the grace of God?’

Prayer: Father God, I believe that I was crucified with Jesus Christ, Your Son. I believe that I was resurrected with Jesus as He arose from the grave. The life I now live is by faith in Jesus Christ Alone and His Gift of righteousness. Keep me safe from ever nullifying Your amazing grace! Amen.