Tag: Galatians 2:19-21
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.
Christ’s abundant life in me!
Scripture reading for January 26th: Genesis 45-46, Psalm 108, Galatians 2
Galatians 2: 19-21 “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 were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people. He gave them the Law, not to save them, but to reveal His righteous character to them and to cause them to seek Him for grace by faith. Faith comes by hearing God’s voice and Word. As Jacob of old responded to God’s Word to him, so Paul responded to Jesus Christ’s Word to him. Placing faith in God’s Word brings God’s peace and presence to our lives. No matter what troubles we may face in this life, we belong to the Lord and He is with us and His life is our salvation! The abundant life is Christ in me!
Genesis 46:2-4 “And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “I Am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I Myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.””
Prayer: Father God, Because of Christ in me, I am not afraid of anything life on earth will require. I have courage and peace living by faith in the truth of Your life in me now and eternal life with You forever and ever! Be exalted, O Lord, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! I am one of Your beloved ones who You have delivered by Your Right Hand, Jesus Christ!
Psalm 108:5-6 “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your Glory be over all the earth! That Your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by Your right hand and answer me!”
Crucified with Christ
Scripture reading for May 17th: Galatians 2
Key Scriptures: Galatians 2:15-16, 19-20 “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.”. . . .”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.
Justification means being made “just” before a holy God. Our sins are forgiven on the basis of Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death for sin and sinners on Calvary’s cross by means of crucifixion. Paul explained that we appropriate this justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by our own efforts to keep God’s law. In fact, by the works of the law, no flesh can or will be justified. Paul further described how he viewed his own justification. His old man and sinful flesh were by identification, through faith, crucified with Christ. Paul, the sinner, died on that cross and was also buried with Christ. But as Jesus Christ rose from the dead through justification by God through the Spirit of Holiness, Paul identified with that resurrection and claimed the life of the resurrected Jesus in his own body!
Galatians 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for inviting me to believe and identify with You in Your death on the cross, burial, and resurrection to a new life. Help me to clearly communicate the full Gospel and simple faith in Christ Jesus.
1st Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received (the Gospel): that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. . . .”
Living by faith!
Scripture reading for August 16th: Galatians 2, Psalm 14, Proverbs 10
Key Scriptures: Galatians 2:19-21 “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 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 were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
Paul carefully explained to the Galatian believers that the law could only reveal sin and our separation from God. But through identification with Christ Jesus in His death and resurrection, real life comes through Christ living in us . This life is a gift of God coming through faith in Jesus Christ, not by man’s effort of trying to keep the law. If we could do it ourselves, Christ Jesus died in vain!
Faith confession: I identify with Christ Jesus in His crucifixion and His resurrection from the dead. I receive by grace His indwelling presence and righteousness. Thank You Jesus, I am free and truly live!
Proverbs 10:24-25 “What the wicked dreads will come upon him; but the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.”
Christ lives in me!
Scripture reading for August 17th: Galatians 2
Key scriptures for over-comers: Galatians 2: 19-21 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
The false teachers in Galatia were well-meaning and sincere Jews who had some knowledge of Christ but tried to add keeping of the law to simple grace by faith. Sincerity is not a test of truth! The ‘law’ could only reveal sin, not correct the problem or eliminate it from the human soul. Through the ‘law’, we are convicted of sin and found guilty bringing about a sentence of death. Then the gospel of Jesus Christ tells us that Jesus died on the cross to take the death penalty for us and now gives us His life and righteousness through the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who believe. There is nothing we can do but say “Thank You, Jesus!”.
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers recognize their Lord living in them and lovingly allow His life to flow in them by the Holy Spirit. “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:10)