Justified By Faith
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Judaizers
Peter had experienced the freedom of the gospel
Judaizers came into town and Pete/Barney were hypocritical and drew back from gentiles
He did this out of fear
Paul opposes peter to his face
They were forcing the gentiles to live like jews, and Paul wasn't having it.
They told the gentiles they weren't saved until they became like Jews
1. We are justified by faith
1. We are justified by faith
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.
That word Sinner is super important
Not sinner like someone who misses the mark, but sinner like someone who doesn't live out the dietary laws
Judaizers didn't want to even associate with the gentiles unless they became like Jews
Paul then appeals to where Peter and him were unified, unified in mission, unified in theology
Peter had experienced a vision from God in so Peter should have known that there is no need any longer for dietary restriction!
God told peter not to call unclean what God had declared clean, and the judaizers were doing just that!
What drove Peter to shaming the gentiles by avoiding them? Fear, and forgetting the gospel!
How often do we not associate with someone because of fear?!
worse yet, how often do we not associate with someone because we forget the glory of the gospel?
We’re not all that different from peter.
Paul appeals to unity before driving home one of the most glorious truths in scripture, Justification by faith!
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.
This verse flips christ-less religion on its head
This is what separates protestant Christianity from all other religions in the world
The Five Solas are:
The Five Solas are:
Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”): The Bible alone is our highest authority.Sola Fide (“faith alone”): We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.Sola Gratia (“grace alone”): We are saved by the grace of God alone.Solus Christus (“Christ alone”): Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King.Soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”): We live for the glory of God alone.
Justification by faith alone in Christ alone is not a reformed truth, a protestant truth!
Martin Luther speaking about the word Justification said “if the article of Justification is lost, then all true Christian doctrine is lost, it is the point of faith that decides whether the church is standing or falling”
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
No one will be saved because they are a good person
you could work the rest of your life and you still wouldn’t be good enough
This is deeply offensive to a proud culture
Justification means being made right with God, so its not the law, but faith that makes us right with God
There are two important word that jump out, Faith and Belief
(V16)Belief is understanding that Jesus did what he said he did, faith is holding on to that truth with all your strength
Notice that its not the amount of faith, but who the faith is in! Its not what you know but who you know!
So it is faith in Christ that saves, if you have never heard the gospel, please understand that christians aren't good people, were living people, and the result of that is a change in morality, but we were not saved because we were good enough
In fact it is only by acknowledging that you aren't good enough that you even open yourself up to being a recipient of grace!
It is such a pervasive lie to think that being good and going to church means you're saved.
Dont get rid of your problems before coming to Jesus!
So were not saved by works, but by faith in Christ…So whats the role of the law for NT believers?
2. The law is gracious in showing our need for salvation
2. The law is gracious in showing our need for salvation
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.
Gal 2:
That word “sinners” shows up again
Verse 17 is confusing, Paul sometimes writes so difficult sometimes!
Let’s pull it apart...
Judaizers claimed that the freedom the gentiles were living in was a sin until they submitted themselves to Jewish tradition
They still respected Jesus, so Paul uses that respect to mess with their faulty reasoning
explain V17
If I have been justified in Christ and have experienced the freedom of Jesus,
Paul says that he endeavors to be Justified in Christ, this means that he has the freedom that only Christ can purchase for someone. Now the Judaizers were very frustrated that the gentiles weren’t living out the Jewish customs. So they used that word again… “Sinner”(v17), those who do not follow the dietary, and circumcision practices that the Jews followed. So Paul says, ok, so you guys like Jesus, and respect His teaching, and Jesus says that we no longer need to live under the weight of the Mosaic covenant, and therefore frees us to live in grace, so Paul says…”are you Judaizers saying that Jesus is now causing us to sin, because He has won freedom for us?”
What you guys are calling sin, Jesus has freed us to live in, and told us it is ok… Does that mean that Jesus is the one who is causing us to sin? And the obvious answer is no, they would have been able to see that they were asking the gentiles to live outside of the way that Christ designed new covenant life to be lived. And we know that anything outside of the boundaries that God has set is sin… That is why this is so ironic, the Judaizers were calling the gentiles “sinners”, and the gentiles were just following what Jesus had commanded them to live like. Jesus doesn’t cause people to sin, therefore what they are doing must not be sin! That is what Paul is trying to get across to the Judaizers.
What you guys are calling sin, Jesus has freed us to live in, and told us it is ok… Does that mean that Jesus is the one who is causing us to sin? And the obvious answer is no, they would have been able to see that they were asking the gentiles to live outside of the way that Christ designed new covenant life to be lived. And we know that anything outside of the boundaries that God has set is sin… That is why this is so ironic, the Judaizers were calling the gentiles “sinners”, and the gentiles were just following what Jesus had commanded them to live like. Jesus doesn’t cause people to sin, therefore what they are doing must not be sin! That is what Paul is trying to get across to the Judaizers.
Then he takes it a step further bringing up the biggest of ironies… Those who try and build up the law are actually the ones in sin! Not those living in freedom!
Then he takes it a step further bringing up the biggest of ironies… Those who try and build up the law are actually the ones in sin! Not those living in freedom!
**V18“For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor”**
V18“For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor”
What had Paul just spent so much time tearing down? Justification by works! He is saying that if he builds up another system that allows works of righteousness to be the way we are accepted, then we are actually living in sin. It is Jesus plus nothing else that saves us. The Judaizers were rebuilding a system of meriting God’s grace, which is the opposite of the gospel, so they were proving that they were in sin, because they were not submitting to the plan of God to bring grace through faith in Christ.
What had Paul just spent so much time tearing down? Justification by works! He is saying that if he builds up another system that allows works of righteousness to be the way we are accepted, then we are actually living in sin. It is Jesus plus nothing else that saves us. The Judaizers were rebuilding a system of meriting God’s grace, which is the opposite of the gospel, so they were proving that they were in sin, because they were not submitting to the plan of God to bring grace through faith in Christ.
The gentiles were not acting in sin because they were living in the freedom of Christ, the Judaizers were acting in sin, because they tried to undermine grace by adding works for salvation.
The gentiles were not acting in sin because they were living in the freedom of Christ, the Judaizers were acting in sin, because they tried to undermine grace by adding works for salvation.
Jeffs point about adding Jesus
w, I died to the law” meaning that the law did its work! It did what it came to do, it brought about the knowledge of his inability to merit the favor of God because he was a sinner! What a wonderful thing it is when we can finally just accept that we are sinful people, and then move to an understanding of God’s immeasurable grace! How Ironic that the law pushed him to grace! Paul says that he is obeying the law when he tears down the law and follows Christ! . The law was given, and it brought to the surface the sin that was already festering unnamed deep within us.
Then Paul gives another confusing verse, which took me a lot of wrestling with to figure out. He says
V19“For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.”
The purpose of the law was to show our inability to accomplish the law. It was given to show us our death, and our need for rescue. ****
The purpose of the law was to show our inability to accomplish the law. It was given to show us our death, and our need for rescue.
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. The law was given, and it brought to the surface the sin that was already festering unnamed deep within us.
Knowledge of sin, helps us see Jesus all the more beautifully. When I go into the mountains, I think it is the most beautiful sight. Seeing trees rolling up and down for miles upon miles is such a soul rejuvenating experience. But do you know what makes the mountains even more beautiful, the detestable flatness of Orlando!
Paul says that he endeavors to be Justified in Christ, this means that he has the freedom that only Christ can purchase for someone. Now the Judaizers were very frustrated that the gentiles weren’t living out the Jewish customs. So they used that word again… “Sinner”(v17), those who do not follow the dietary, and circumcision practices that the Jews followed. So Paul says, ok, so you guys like Jesus, and respect His teaching, and Jesus says that we no longer need to live under the weight of the Mosaic covenant, and therefore frees us to live in grace, so Paul says…”are you Judaizers saying that Jesus is now causing us to sin, because He has won freedom for us?”
**20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.**. The law was given, and it brought to the surface the sin that was already festering unnamed deep within us.
What you guys are calling sin, Jesus has freed us to live in, and told us it is ok… Does that mean that Jesus is the one who is causing us to sin? And the obvious answer is no, they would have been able to see that they were asking the gentiles to live outside of the way that Christ designed new covenant life to be lived. And we know that anything outside of the boundaries that God has set is sin… That is why this is so ironic, the Judaizers were calling the gentiles “sinners”, and the gentiles were just following what Jesus had commanded them to live like. Jesus doesn’t cause people to sin, therefore what they are doing must not be sin! That is what Paul is trying to get across to the Judaizers.
Then he takes it a step further bringing up the biggest of ironies… Those who try and build up the law are actually the ones in sin! Not those living in freedom!
Robert Hawker “A man must see himself lost, before he will ask for salvation. And Christ will never be precious, until sin is seen to be exceedingly sinful. And no one will rightly esteem Christ’s righteousness, while believing he has righteousness of his own to prove his worth before God.”
**V18“For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor”**
What had Paul just spent so much time tearing down? Justification by works! He is saying that if he builds up another system that allows works of righteousness to be the way we are accepted, then we are actually living in sin. It is Jesus plus nothing else that saves us. The Judaizers were rebuilding a system of meriting God’s grace, which is the opposite of the gospel, so they were proving that they were in sin, because they were not submitting to the plan of God to bring grace through faith in Christ.
The gentiles were not acting in sin because they were living in the freedom of Christ, the Judaizers were acting in sin, because they tried to undermine grace by adding works for salvation.
Then Paul gives another confusing verse, which took me a lot of wrestling with to figure out. He says **V19“For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.”**
Once we see the depth of our depravity, we start to see more clearly the height of God’s love for us when He redeemed us in Christ.
The purpose of the law was to show our inability to accomplish the law. It was given to show us our death, and our need for rescue. **Romans 3:20**
**20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.**. The law was given, and it brought to the surface the sin that was already festering unnamed deep within us.
So Paul says that it is “Through the Law, I died to the law” meaning that the law did its work! It did what it came to do, it brought about the knowledge of his inability to merit the favor of God because he was a sinner! What a wonderful thing it is when we can finally just accept that we are sinful people, and then move to an understanding of God’s immeasurable grace! How Ironic that the law pushed him to grace! Paul says that he is obeying the law when he tears down the law and follows Christ! . The law was given, and it brought to the surface the sin that was already festering unnamed deep within us.
So Paul says that it is “Through the Law, I died to the law” meaning that the law did its work! It did what it came to do, it brought about the knowledge of his inability to merit the favor of God because he was a sinner! What a wonderful thing it is when we can finally just accept that we are sinful people, and then move to an understanding of God’s immeasurable grace! How Ironic that the law pushed him to grace! Paul says that he is obeying the law when he tears down the law and follows Christ!
In Verse 19 Paul says that it is “Through the Law, I died to the law”. Thats a confusing verse too, what does he mean? I think he means that the law did its work! It did what it came to do, it brought about the knowledge of his inability to merit the favor of God because he was a sinner! What a wonderful thing it is when we can finally just accept that we are sinful people, and then move to an understanding of God’s immeasurable grace! How Ironic that the law pushed him to grace! Paul says that he is obeying the law when he tears down the law and follows Christ!
The Law is not devoid of grace, just as grace is not devoid of command. One of the fears of people who hear the message of the gospel is a fear that people will begin to live licentious lives. But Jesus commands us to live lives worthy of our calling as a Christian, and it wouldn't be love if we said hey Jesus thanks for your grace, but now I’m going to live how I want, thats not even an option for the christian, doing so would be proof that you never encountered the real regenerating power of the true gospel. The real gospel brings life to new holy affections.
So the law was given graciously by God to be a guide that shows us our inability to keep the law, and show us our need for a savior. Again, no one is justified by the Law, were justified by faith in Christ. Which frees us to live moment by moment with Jesus
3. We live moment by moment in the power of the gospel
3. We live moment by moment in the power of the gospel
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.
Notice that Paul references the Son of God “Who loved Paul, and gave himself up for Paul” as he reflects on the fact that Jesus was crucified in his place, taking on the full weight of the punishment, feeling the wrath of God that every human who has ever lived deserved, Paul says, this is what enables him to life for God every day, reflection on the gospel. Christian, do you preach the gospel to yourself every day? For me this has been so helpful, to wake up and remind my spirit that I am forever accepted because of the grace of Jesus Christ, if I had a terrible day before, where I didn’t love Tery like I should have, and I was snappy with Clive, and I neglected to serve the church well, and I went to bed with bitterness in my heart toward life, I am no less lovely on that day than If I woke up and was an angel to everyone around me, read my bible for 5 hours, fed the homeless, and started walking on water, and went to bed singing praise songs in my sleep.
My merit is not in my performance, and neither is yours. When Paul says that He lives his life by faith in the Son of God he means that in every moment he is able to consider how Christ transforms his reality. He is able to see Jesus work in all things, and see his role in being an agent of restoration in everything.
One of the main ways that the gospel frees us to live is no longer needing to be slaves of ourselves. As I was preparing for the message this week, I was waking around my house preaching, I’m a verbal processor, so it helps me make sure I know what I’m preaching on. I was walking around preaching about how the gospel allows us to be free from self by helping us die to self, when I looked down and saw dirty dishes… I hate doing dishes! but tery loves having clean dishes, so this poses a bit of a recipe for disaster. As I’m waking around the house verbally processing what it means to die to self because of the work of the gospel, God starts to convict my heart, “Jon if you really love me, keep my commands… serve me by serving your wife”. To which I responded, well thanks God but i’m busy writing my sermon for your church! I’m kidding, I didn’t respond that way, though countless times before I have.
I responded with preaching while doing the dishes! But if it weren't for the free gift of grace I would never be freed to think of my wife first because I’d be stuck with my dead heart trying to serve myself first. Now don’t get me wrong, there are so many areas of life that I still need God’s work, and in those areas, I need to keep preaching the gospel to myself, but Paul says those who are in Christ are crucified with him in Verse 20, and we now live every moment by faith, and this faith considers the way the gospel frees us to live like Christ!
The point is this, when you see your sin as devastatingly wretched, and God as wonderfully kind in fully Justifying us by our faith in Him, it frees us to love others the way God has loved us.
(OUTRO)
The Good news of Jesus is powerful, and the more you think on God’s grace in the gospel of Christ the more good works will just come naturally due to a changed heart. So what does this look like?
Husbands being so thrilled with the unmerited favor that they have found in Christ that they don’t need their wives to meet a certain standard to be worthy of their affection. When Jesus lavishes you with His love, though you were completely unlovable, that changes the way you love.
Parents allowing their kids to be kids, and not some super production gold-star monsters. That do everything right or else they let the family down. When your eternity is secure, who cares about your temporary reputation.
When your’e at work and you just really fed up with a coworker that isn’t pulling their weight, you can be patient and loving because God has been infinity more patient with you.
accountability partners being grace filled when hearing the darkest parts of a friends life, helping them to understand that if you, as fallen and broken as you are, love them and accept them still, how much more a God who gave His only son to forgive sin and cleanse from unrighteousness.
Understanding our Justification by grace through faith will transform our quiet times, going from thinking we have to prove ourselves to God, to basking in His kindness because we could never bring anything of worth to His throne! What a delight to receive this gift of grace!
So let us all allow the truth of God’s justifying grace shape us into people who marvel at God’s kindness and worship Him with Christ exalting lives. Let’s all delight our hearts in the beauty of the gospel.