This study deals with the material principle of the Reformation -- what the gospel claims and says about God. It's not just an abstract study of God, but it has an impact on our identity -- who we were, are now and going to be. This is important because identity drives and influences what you are going to do.
(A) Righteousness declared: faith in Christ does what works by the law could never do. (Gal 2:15-16)
Paul mentions 2 groups in Gal 2:15. There are the Jews and there are the Gentile sinners. Jews know that a person is not justified by works of the law (Gal 2:16a). This should strike us as odd. As Singaporeans, we have been conditioned to think that if we obey the rules, we are good students, workers or soldiers. Following and fulfilling the law should make us good. But Paul says otherwise here! We will flesh this out as this study unfolds.
The Gentiles were referred to as sinners, because they did not know the law. The Jews knew that the law is specific and comprehensive. In fact in Deut 28:13-15. they were commanded not to turn away from any of the words and to be careful to do all his commandments. Blessings would follow obedience, and curses were the consequence of disobedience. Yet, none of the righteous men, heroes of the faith, fulfilled all the requirements of the law because the law also shows us that no one can be justified under the law, declared righteous and good in the sight of God. Rom 3:19-20 also reveals clearly that the law is not to make us good but to show us sin. The idea of sin and even talking about sin makes us squirm today. Bible teacher D.A. Carson has remarked that the doctrine of sin is one of the hardest things to talk about in university campuses today. It's not any of the complex doctrines etc.
Many of us have different understanding of sin, and even a partial understanding. We are tempted to think that sin is out there, and can be dealt with by hanging out with the right people, going to the right church and practicing the right disciplines. But sin isn't just out there. It originates from within. How has sin affected your life? Gal 2:13 also shows us that sin has a social effect. It isn't just a private decision, but our actions also affect those around us. The consequences are clear if we look sin squarely in the face. But sin is not just about us. Sin is ultimately against God. He is the God who is the creator and sustainer of everything, wholly perfect. Our sin doesn't make us people who have done wrong things, but we are people who have incurred so large a debt.
The first and primary function of the law is to show us the pure and perfect standard of God. It is in looking at this that we realise we can't match up. Sin is relational, not only in that we have upset God, but it also sets us against God and is a deep affront to who He is. Is this how we see sin today? We need to understand sin as something with deep and lasting consequences, something that pits us against the person who loves us most in this world.
This is hard for us to swallow, because if we are honest with ourselves, we do cling to a justification by works, a work of self-justification. This stands directly against a justification by faith. We want to be the ones to be able to declare our ultimate goodness and this displays itself in many different ways big and small. It could show itself in the way we introduce ourselves to others. We give our names and try to show ourselves to be great. We're also always sizing up the other person! Think of body image issues too. Most of the way we value something is by relativising it and comparing with other people. What about the leaders in our midst, serving in church in different ways? Do you think that your service makes you more righteous? Are you weary and burdened by your own works? Self-justification makes us unstable and insecure. Sometimes it makes us high and other times it makes us low. This becomes our slave and wearies sum when instead, joy awaits those justified by faith. Jesus is more than just a role model or a good team player. He is the just and the justifier, doing everything that we could not have done, so that we can be declared righteous.
(B) Righteousness imputed: neither law nor license, but a new identity through a new union. (Gal 2:17-20)
In Gal 2:17, Paul begins with "but if" (Gal 2:17). Paul is going in a different direction but what is the concern here, especially with relation to Gal 2:15. Remember the distinction between Jews and Gentiles -- they were separated by the law. What separated the Galatians here from the Gentiles then, since they did not need to be under the law? Thus, Paul tore down a reliance on the law for justification. He tells us the reason why in Gal 2:19. He has died to the law so that he might live to God. It wasn't that he could live a life apart from God like Gentile sinners, but one that is to God.
In 1:11-2:10, Paul detailed the external progression of events since his conversion. In Gal 2:20, he sheds light on the internal changes.
In the past, he was crucified with Christ. This life of self-glorification, justification by works has died!
Ever since then, it is no longer Paul who lives, but Christ in him. This is the amazing idea of union with Christ. What does it mean to say that you have placed your faith in Christ? We are saying that our old life and identity is dead. Is Christ in us just a figurative mode of expression? We have the Holy Spirit! This Spirit convicts of sin, lets us understand God's Word and helps us to desire the things of God. This Spirit reminds us that we have been bought back through Christ. This is also a real, personal experience. It is not out there! This is also my security!
Furthermore, now the life he now lives is in Christ. Our life is hidden with Christ, so completely joined with Him. All of us is really in all of Him! God the Father doesn't see us as sinners who need to be condemned, but sees us as those that Jesus has paid for. He sees us not based on the works that we do, but based on what Christ has done.
This is radically different from anything any other philosophy and religion taught. There's no way Christianity can be like any other religion. Religions call you to do, and hopefully be transformed and saved. Paul speaks of the Christian faith in the other way. You do the good you do because Christ has saved you and is now in you!
Heb 12 speaks of Jesus as the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He is there with us from the beginning to the end! He doesn't just do 80% and leaves us alone to work on the rest. He is 100% there. What does this mean practically? Resolve to let people around you know that Christ is in you. In Jn 15:11, Jesus speaks of a fullness of joy. Your joy is full not only in terms of the degree and frequency you experience it, but also in terms of the kind of joy. It is a completely different joy, one that is secure and lasting and not dependent on your performance. Can the people around you see this? Can they see that the old you has died, and your life is now hidden with Christ? If not, go to him and confess! The power of God can also transform lives.
(C) Grace treasured: God’s grace comes by faith and is to be championed. (Gal 2:21)
Paul is careful to emphasise that he is not seeking to nullify the grace of God (Gal 2:21a). He is not robbing God of His glory. This is important because we cannot forget that the grace of God is a precious thing that has come down to us. We see this in the personal appeal. Paul speaks of grace in a personal, relational sense (Gal 2:21b). How do you see Christ today? Do you see Him as one who loved you and gave Himself for you? Do you see that your sins held him there, and that your voice was among the scoffers?
There are 2 ways to live after reading this passage. You can live as if righteousness is through the law or live knowing that you are in Christ and Christ is in you. Live a life that shows that Christ died for a purpose. Champion His grace, don't nullify it. How will you respond to it today?