Justified By Faith

11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.

In this passage, Paul continues to explain the difficulties of living by the law in order to be saved or to maintain salvation. These teachings, being promoted by the Judaizers, were even causing good men to falter or hesitate in their Christian walk.

Look with me back at 1:6-7

Galatians 1:6-7 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”

Satan is always trying to push us back. He may use unbelievers, backslidden believers, or even well-intentioned believers we trust to try to make us falter in our Christian walk.

Regardless of his attacks, we must press on in the truth that we are justified by faith, not works!

1. Paul’s Contention with Peter (vv. 11-14)

We see in these verses that Paul is continuing to defend his apostleship and authority that the Judaizers were trying to discredit.

A. Paul’s Position for Truth (v. 11)

In this verse Paul withstood or opposed Peter for what he had done.

It is important to: Notice how Paul withstood Peter “to the face.” There was no malicious backbiting or slander here. Paul directly told Peter his fault.

Someone once wrote:

“My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed.

My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name or face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody’s friend.

Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments and wreck marriages. I make headlines and headaches. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion. I make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip!” - Author Unknown

“We never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the folks for whom we pray.” – Leonard Ravenhill

Peter was guilty of blame in this circumstance, therefore, Paul confronted him face to face to deal with the problem.

We learn of the biblical model of confrontation in:

Matthew 18:15 NKJV

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

B. Peter’s Place with the Gentiles (v. 12b)

Peter was fellowshipping with the Gentile believers at the church at Antioch, but when other Jews sent by James from Jerusalem showed up, Peter suddenly separated himself from the Gentiles.

Peter’s decision to withdraw from the Gentiles was solely based on fear and in turn belittled the teaching of salvation by grace alone through faith alone.

This withdraw caused other Jews to follow suit. Peter’s decision was motivated by fear:

verse 12 - “but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision”

Proverbs 29:25 – “The fear of man bringeth a snare...”

When I am fearing man, i am not trusting God!

C. Paul’s Problem with Compromise (vv. 13-14)

Paul’s problem with compromise was that it affected other believers. Even Barnabas was influenced by Peter!

2. Paul’s Case for the Gospel (vv. 15-16)

A. The Way of Justification

1. Not by works (v. 16a)

Sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking we have control over our circumstances.

ILL:

A little girl was asked in Sunday School: “Who made you?”

She replied, “Well, God made part of me.”

“What do you mean God made part of you,” the teacher replied

“Well, God made me real little, and I just growed the rest myself!”

We do not just work toward justification. God does the work!

Romans 3:20 NKJV

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Titus 3:5 NKJV

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

2. By Faith (v. 16b)

Romans 3:21–22 NKJV

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

B. The Work of Justification (v. 16)

Christ did the work of justification for us!

1 John 2:1–2 NKJV

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

It’s explained well in the old hymn: “Through the Love of God our Savior”

Which says, “Precious is the blood that healed us; perfect is the grace that sealed us; strong is the hand stretched forth to shield us. All must be well.”

3. Paul’s Commentary on the Situation (vv. 17-19)

A. Christ Does Not Cause Sin (v. 17)

Peter’s actions at Antioch seemed to indicate that he was not completely justified by faith, but needed the works of the law to complete his salvation. If this is so, then Christ is not a perfect and sufficient Savior - making Him a minister of sin in failing to fulfill His promises. If we profess Christ, and then go back to works for continued justification, do we act as Christians… Paul says no!

1 John 3:5 NKJV

5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

The work of justification is finished in Christ. You can’t add anything to it!

And If we tried, we would just make it worse…

The Judaizers claimed the grace of Christ, but they tainted it with the works of the law.

B. We Must Not Cause Doubt (vv. 18-19)

Paul explains that he cannot force the Gentiles to observe the law because he has claimed Christ’s death to be satisfactory separate from the law. If he promotes the observance of the law, the will build back up the very teachings he is now working to discredit!

1 Corinthians 14:8 NKJV

8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

Our message must be clear and completely grounded in the Word of God!

Conclusion:

Our cultural battle today is not with Judaism. But even today, every false religion in some way diminishes the grace of God by adding works to salvation.

We must hold to the truth that we are justified by faith alone!

We must remember that we proclaim a message with our lives as much or even more than with our lips. Commit to words and actions of purpose. Have the message of your life match the message of the Gospel.

1. Christ came for a purpose - to change our lives and our eternity!

- came that we may have life, and to have it more abundantly!

2. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone.

- there is no merit in my flesh - therefore pride should be absent

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