Justified by Faith

Galatian Liberty • Galatians 2:15-21 • May 9, 2022 • English Service 10:00 AM

 

Sermon Introduction

Paul corrected Peter about giving in to religious pressure. Instead of standing up for the gospel by continuously fellowshipping with the Gentiles, he separated himself when Judaizers arrived. Peter’s actions influenced other Jewish believers, including Barnabas. Paul corrected Peter in front of the others. Despite being fellow apostles, Paul saw it necessary to defend the gospel. No one is higher than the gospel. Paul would proceed to remind the Galatians that a person is justified by faith in Christ, not the law's works. Whether Jew or Gentile, it is faith in Christ, not by the works of the law.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

 
 
 

Galatians 2:15-21 ESV

15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 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.

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.

Notes

Paul corrected Peter about giving in to religious pressure. Instead of standing up for the gospel by continuously fellowshipping with the Gentiles, he separated himself when Judaizers arrived. Peter’s actions influenced other Jewish believers, including Barnabas. Paul corrected Peter in front of the others. Despite being fellow apostles, Paul saw it necessary to defend the gospel. No one is higher than the gospel. Paul would proceed to remind the Galatians that a person is justified by faith in Christ, not the law's works. Whether Jew or Gentile, it is faith in Christ, not by the works of the law.

  1. Faith, not the Law
    Paul explained that Peter and himself belong to God's covenant people, and they are not Gentiles. However, Paul emphasized that a person is justified through faith in Christ, not the works of the Law (2:16-17).
    15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 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.

  2. Death to Life
    All are sinners, including Peter and Paul, yet Paul made it clear that Christ is not the servant of sin. Moreover, Paul cannot go back to promoting the law as he once did because he died to it already. Now, he lives in Him (2:17-18).
    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

  3. New Life
    Paul stated that he was crucified with Christ, not literally, but through faith. The old Paul no longer lives, but Christ lives in him. His new life was a life lived in faith in Christ. 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.

Application

  1. Proclaim justification by faith
    Whether Jew or Gentile, a person can only experience justification in God’s eyes through faith in Christ. Thus, we must proclaim with clarity the message of justification by faith, not by works of the law.

  2. Never look back
    Paul would no longer go back to his religious ways in Judaism. He understood that justification is by faith in Christ. Neither should we look to dead works and our former life of sin. Our faith is in Christ alone.

  3. Live by faith
    Paul wrote that he was crucified with Christ and Paul no longer lives. Now, Christ lives in him, and the life he lives, he lives by faith in Christ. Genuine believers die to themselves and live the Christ-life, a life of faith in Him.

Reflection & Discussion

  1. Why did Paul NOT rebuild his former life?

  2. How is a person justified?

  3. What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?