Galatians 2:16
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh by justified," Galatians 2:16. This scripture tells us how we are saved, and also tells us how we are not saved. Scripture never contradicts scripture. Three times in this verse we are told that a man is not justified by the works of the law, and three times in this verse we are told that a man is justified by the faith of Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:16 is very clear, very simple, and to the point. How can anyone get this biblical fact wrong? The sad fact is that multitudes do err, even with verses like this one.
Some err because they do not study and just take for granted what others are teaching them. Some denominations err on purpose to keep control over the people. These denominations use scare tactics to control the people. The people who sit under this kind of teaching do not serve the Lord out of love, but out of fear. They fear that with their next step, they may end up in the torments of hell. This is a terrible way to live. One way people have tried easing their consciences is by categorizing sin, and by calling non sinful things sinful. This almost always deals with that which can be seen with the eyes. For example, if someone wears shorts, or make up, or gets their ears pierced, they have sinned and lost their salvation. Or if someone eats non-approved food or worships on a non-approved day they have sinned and lost their salvation. I have always liked to use the analogy of a deserted island with these people. What if your boat sunk and you woke up on a deserted island? You do not know what day it is, you only have the clothes that are on your back, and the only food you can catch is not on your list of approved foods. At this point, all of your man made laws are thrown out of the window. But, for the person who has been justified by the faith of Jesus Christ, we worship every day in spirit and truth, we wear whatever the Lord has provided, and eat what the Lord provides. We continue serving the Lord out of love, not fear.
If we had to live above sin to go to heaven no one would ever make it to heaven. "And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is thy first commandment. And the second is like namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these," Mark 12:28-31. No one can say they have loved God and others like this, ever. Turn to Romans 3:19-24. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin," Romans 3:20. "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour," Titus 3:4-6. If righteousness came by the law, then Jesus Christ died in vain. But, Christ did not die in vain because righteousness did not come by the law. Here are a couple of quotes by some theologians. "The only reason why I'm a Christian is because I'm a gift of the Father to the Son, not because of anything I've ever done." R.C. Sproul. "I am a Christian solely and entirely because of the grace of God and not because of anything that I have thought or said or done. He brought me to know that I was dead, "dead in trespasses and sins", a slave to the world, and the flesh, and the devil, that in me "dwelleth no good thing", and that I was under the wrath of God and heading for eternal punishment. He brought me to see that the real cause of all my troubles and ills, and that of all men, was an evil and fallen nature which hated God and loved sin. My trouble was not only that I did things that were wrong, but that I myself was wrong at the very center of my being." D. Martyn Lloyd Jones.
With all the Scripture that we have confirming that salvation is not by works, it is a shame that we have to continue to address this subject. So let us continue looking at Galatians 2:16. The word "justified" in this verse is spoken especially of the justification bestowed by God on men through Christ, in which he is said to regard and treat them as righteous, i.e. to absolve from the consequences of sin and admit to the enjoyment of the divine favour; to be justified. Justification is a work that only God can do. The word "works" in this verse means work, i.e. deed, act, action, something done. Of works of the law, meaning works required or conformable to the Mosaic moral law and required by this law. The word law speaks of the Mosaic code.
Works of the law is different from works of faith; meaning springing from faith or a result of justification. We do not do good works to be saved or to stay saved, but because we are saved. Turn to James 2:14, 17-26; II Thessalonians 1:11; and I Thessalonians 1:3. Works of faith spring from saving faith, not to saving faith. The faith of Jesus Christ is of the faith in Christ's death, as the ground of justification before God, saving faith. This faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Remember that Paul is speaking with Peter, and with all others that withdrew with Peter. In this verse he uses the word "we" twice. We know that a man is not justified by the works of the law; and we know that a man is justified by the faith of Jesus Christ. We know this, so let us not get sidetracked with the traditions of men. We believe, we have faith in, we trust Christ for justification before God. Our actions should proclaim what we believe.
Have you trusted Jesus Christ to save your soul? I beg you to look off anything and everything else, and by faith look to Jesus Christ. Trust Jesus Christ to save you, not any works that you have done. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," John 6:37. Justification is by faith alone.
Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
