Galatians 2:15-16

Summary retelling of Galatians 2:15-16

Paul is speaking to a congregation full of people who were Jewish before they heard about Christ and he reminds them of it.  However, Paul also reminds them that anyone who truly believes in Christ does not believe that they are saved by their actions.  We are saved through the complete faithfulness of Jesus Christ.  Because of the faithfulness of Jesus, we believe in Him.  Because we believe in Him, we can let go of our need to justify ourselves and be saved by our works.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

It may not seem like it at first, but this is a really incredible pair of verses.  Here it is that Paul lays faith out on the line much like Jesus did all throughout His lifetime.  We are not saved by anything we do.  Nothing we do is good enough.  Nothing we do is worthy of God saying, “Oh, look at that person.  Now they need to be saved.”  We must fundamentally understand that point.  We are not saved by our works.  We are saved by Jesus’ work.  Because Jesus died on the cross, God can look at us and say, “Okay, Jesus died for you and now you can be saved.”

Why is this such an important understanding?  What happens to us if we believe that we are saved because of how righteous we are?  How often do you think Christians really get this point?

Second Thought:

Jesus died for us.  Don’t gloss over that point.  While we were undeserving, Jesus died for us.  Jesus was beaten when we deserved it.  Jesus was nailed to a cross when we deserved it.  Jesus drank full the cup of wrath when it was really ours to drink.  Jesus took everything that we deserve – so that we could actually know love instead of wrath.

How cool is that thought?  What does that thought inspire you to do?

Third Thought:

The end of this passage puts works in a new light.  Because Christ died, we believe.  We could also say that because Christ died, we can serve God.  Because Christ died, we follow.  Because Christ died, we respond in faith.  Because our salvation is rooted in Christ, our works become a response in gratitude!  We do not work because we desire to earn God’s love; we work because we already have it!

How cool is this thought?  Is your faith really about a response to God’s grace?  If so, then how can you express it?  If not, then how can you go about making it a genuine response?

Passage for Tomorrow: Galatians 2:17-21