Morning Message: Legal Troubles

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Legal Troubles"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Inherent within The Law is a problem that is nearly insurmountable. While it adds some substance to the Jewish faith, it also obliterates “faith!” The Abrahamic Covenant is integral with the Jewish faith. It is impossible to separate the two, but not because the Law has added anything to God’s promises within the covenant.

We must remember the Abrahamic Covenant, like all of God’s seven covenants of the Old Testament, is all about God provisional overwatch of the Jewish nation. Now, if anyone can tell me how mankind can add anything to God’s promises, please let me know.

We can argue that the Law is good for mankind, but it was not part of the Covenant. It’s a good reminder is God’s provision and supply in the Garden of Eden: Two trees, don’t eat the fruit of the one. Everything else Adam and Eve needed was provided by God. But when Satan came crawling, he put doubt in Eve’s mind, and she told that old serpent, “Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it lest you die.” Yet God never said it could not be touched.

We understand that adding to God’s word was wrong, but from man’s point of view, it was meant to keep them away from the temptation to taste of that fruit. A scary consequence was added to God’s word to keep the first couple away from the fruit of that tree. Suddenly, man’s understanding of God’s provision was altered. In this case, the Law is good! But it is not based in faith, but in man’s ability to use avoidance to keep himself from the temptation. This stipulation adds a layer of protection for man, but adds nothing to God’s Promise, and adherence to this “law” becomes a “good work.”

So, how then is the Law good, if it puts stipulations on God’s promise? Is not God forgiving? Are His mercies not new every morning? If we break this man-made Law, will God not still be faithful to His promises to us still? And now, we see why God told Adam that “The Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” was deadly to mankind, because it creates a false sense of guilt, hindering a pure faith in Him.

“…If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” - Revelation 22:18b

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Galatians 3:13-29 - "Legal Troubles"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

In Galatians chapter 3, we are invited to look back at the history of our faith and understand that our relationship with God is built on the promise given to Abraham and fulfilled in Christ, not on our own ability to keep the law. Paul reminds us that the key to our salvation is faith—just as Abraham believed God and was credited with righteousness, so too are we justified by our trust in Jesus. This chapter challenges us to see that the law, though holy and good in itself, was never intended to be the means by which we attain God's favor; rather, it was given as a temporary guardian until the coming of Christ.

Last week, Paul began by addressing the Galatian believers, asking them to consider whether they are truly walking in the Spirit or if they are trying to be justified by their own efforts under the law. He explains that if we relied on human works, the grace of God would be lost. This message hits home for us because it reassures us that our standing before God is not based on our performance. Instead, it is entirely a gift of grace—a grace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, just as it was for Abraham. We learn that the promise made to Abraham was not dependent on the works of the law; it was given on the basis of his belief. That promise, Paul reminds us, extends to all who believe, whether they are Jew or Gentile.

Paul goes on to quote Scripture, emphasizing that the blessings given to Abraham were intended to be for everyone. He reminds us that “Blessed be the man who trusts in the Lord,” a truth that holds regardless of our background. The key point Paul makes is that the inheritance promised to Abraham comes through faith. For us, this means that our salvation is secure when we put our trust in God’s promise, not when we try to earn His favor by obeying the law. In reflecting on this, we can see that our faith in Jesus liberates us from the endless cycle of trying to measure up to standards that are impossible for any of us to fully achieve on our own.

Furthermore, Paul explains that the law was given 430 years after God made His promise to Abraham. This timing is significant because it shows that the law did not originate the promise, but rather it was added later to guide people until Christ came. The law was like a tutor, teaching us about sin and our need for redemption. For us, this means that while the law exposes our shortcomings, it also points us toward the grace that we receive through faith. The law’s role was to make us aware of our need for a Savior, and in that awareness, we find the wonderful truth that Jesus has already paid the price for our sins.

Paul also addresses the issue of the curse that comes from disobedience to the law. He reminds us that Scripture says, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things written in the Book of the Law.” But thanks be to God, Christ has redeemed us from this curse by becoming a curse for us, so that the blessing of Abraham might come to us through faith. This powerful truth underscores that our freedom in Christ comes not from our ability to perfectly obey the law, but from the redemptive work of Jesus. When we understand that Jesus has taken on our curse, we can live with gratitude and joy, knowing that our righteousness is not earned—it is a gift bestowed upon us because of His sacrifice.

Moreover, Paul makes it clear that the promise of God is based on faith and is an everlasting covenant. The inheritance of the promise is secured for those who belong to Christ, and it cannot be nullified by our failure to uphold the law. In our own lives, this means that our identity is not defined by our ability to keep every rule, but by our relationship with Jesus. We are children of the promise, heirs to the blessings that were promised to Abraham. This perspective frees us from the heavy burden of legalism and encourages us to live in the liberty of the gospel.

Paul further explains that the Spirit, given to us by faith, testifies to the promise of God. We are not justified by our works but by our trust in God’s Word. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that our spiritual transformation is an ongoing process—one that is continually powered by the Holy Spirit working in us. This transformation is not achieved by human effort alone, but by surrendering to the grace that flows from our relationship with Christ.

In summary, Galatians chapter 3 calls us to recognize that our justification before God comes solely through faith—faith that connects us to the promise given to Abraham and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The law served its purpose as a guide to reveal our need for salvation, but now that the promise has been realized in Christ, we live under a new covenant of grace. This grace transforms us from within, uniting us as one family of believers regardless of our background, and freeing us from the impossible task of earning God’s favor through our own efforts.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Christ Has Redeemed us from the Curse of the Law (3:13) - The Greek word translated "redeemed" was often used to speak of buying a slave's or debtor's freedom. Christ's death, because it was a death of substitution for sin, satisfied God's justice and exhausted His wrath toward His elect, so that Christ actually purchased believers from slavery to sin and from the sentence of eternal death (4:5; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18; cf. Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:12).

Being Made a Curse for Us (3:13) - By bearing God's wrath for believers' sins on the cross, Christ took upon Himself the curse pronounced on those who violated the law.

It is Written (3:13) - The common NT way (sixty-one times) of introducing Old Testament quotes. Deuteronomy 21:23 is quoted.

The Blessing of Abraham (3:14) - Faith in God's promise of salvation.

Promise of the Spirit (3:14) - From God the Father. Cf. Isaiah 32:14; 44:3; 59:19-21; Ezekiel 36:26, 27; 37:14; 39:29; Joel 2:28,29; Luke 11:13; 24:49; John 7:37-39; 14:16, 26.

Brethren (3:15) - This term of endearment reveals Paul's compassionate love for the Galatians - which they may have begun to question in light of his stern rebuke.

Manner of Men . . Man's Covenant (3:15) - Even human covenants, once confirmed, are considered irrevocable and unchangeable; how much more a covenant made by the unchanging God (Malachi 3;6; James 1:17).

Seed (3:16) - The quote is from Genesis 12:7.  The singular form of the Hebrews word, like its English and Greek counterparts, can be used in a collective sense.  Paul's point is that in some OT Passages (Genesis 3:15; 22:18), seed refers to the greatest of Abraham's descendants, Jesus Christ.

Promises (3:16) - Those associated with the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:3, 7; 13:15, 16; 15:5, 18; 17:8; 22:16-18; 26:3, 4; 28:13, 14).  Because they were made both to Abraham and his descendants, they did not become void when Abraham died, or when the law came.

Four Hundred and Thirty Years (3:17) - From Israel's sojourn in Egypt (Exodus 12:40) to the giving of the law at Sinai (1445 B.C.).  The law actually came 645 years after the initial promise to Abraham (c. 2090 B.C.; cf. Genesis 12:4; 21:5; 25:26; 47:9), but the promise was repeated to Isaac (Genesis 26:24) and later to Jacob (c 1928 B.C.; Genesis 28:15).  The last known reaffirmation of the Abrahamic covenant to Jacob occurred in Genesis 4:2-4 (c. 1875 B.C.) just before he went to Egypt - 430 years before the Mosaic Law was given.

The Covenant (3:17) - The Abrahamic covenant.

Confirmed Before by God (3:17) - Means "ratified."  Once God ratified the covenant officially, it had lasting authority so that nothing and no one could annul it.  The Abrahamic covenant was unilateral, eternal, irrevocable, unconditional, but its complete fulfillment awaits the salvation of Israel and the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Because of Transgressions (3:19) - Paul's persuasive argument that the promise is superior to the law raises an oblivious question:  What was the purpose of the law?  Paul's answer is that the law reveals man's utter sinfulness, inability to save himself, and desperate need of a Savior.  It was never intended to be the way of salvation (cf. Romans 7:13). 

By Angels (3:19) - The Bible teaches that angels were involved in the giving of the law, but does not explain the precise role they played.

Concluded All Under Sin (3:22) - The Greek verb translated "confined" means "to enclose on all sides."  Paul portrays all mankind as hopelessly trapped in sin, like a school of fish caught in a net.  That all people are sinners is the express teaching of Scripture (Romans 3:19; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalm 143:2; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:9-19, 23; 11:32).

Before Faith Came (3:23) - From the viewpoints of both the history of redemption and through all times in the area of individual salvation, only saving faith unlocks the door of the prison where the law keeps people bound.

Kept Under the Law (3:23) - Paul personifies the law as a jailer of guilty, condemned sinners, on a death row awaiting God's judgment (Romans 6:23). 

Faith...Revealed (3:23) - Paul was looking at the coming of Christ, historically and at each believer's salvation, individually.  Faith in Christ alone releases people from bondage to law, whether the Mosaic Law, or the law written on the hearts of Gentiles (romans 2:14-26).

Schoolmaster (3:24) - The Greek word denotes a slave whose duty it was to take care of child until adulthood.  The tutor escorted the children to and from school and watched over their behavior at home.  Tutors were often strict disciplinarians, causing those under their care to yearn for the day when they would be free from their tutor's custody.  the law was our tutor which, by showing us our sins, was escorting us to Christ.

Children of God (3:26) - While God is the Father of all people in a general sense because he created them (Acts 17:24-28), only those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ are God's true spiritual children.  Unbelievers are the children of Satan according to Matthew 13:38; John 8:38, 41, 44; Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10; cf. Ephesians 2:3; 1 John 5:19).

Baptized into Christ (3:27) - This is not water baptism, which cannot save.  Paul used the word baptized in a metaphorical manner to speak of being "immersed," or "placed into" Christ by the spiritual miracle of union with Him in His death and Resurrection.

Put on Christ (3:27) - The result of the believer's spiritual union with Christ.  Paul was emphasizing the fact that we have been united with Christ through salvation.  Positionally before God, we have put on Christ, His death, Resurrection, and righteousness.  Practically, we need to "put on Christ" before others, in our conduct (Romans 13:14).

One in Christ Jesus (3:28) - All those who are one with Jesus Christ are one with one another in the faith.  

Abraham's Seed (3:29) - Not all physical children of Abraham are the "Israel of God" (cf. 6:16), Gentile believers who are not physical children of Abraham are, his spiritual children in the sense that they followed the patter of his faith.

Heirs According to Promise (3:29) - All believers are heirs of the spiritual blessing that accompanied the Abrahamic covenant - justification by faith (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3-11).

Morning Message: Faith and Works (Part 2)

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Faith and Works" Part 2
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

In last week’s teaching, The Apostle Paul exposed the hypocrisy of the Apostle Peter when Judaisers from Jerusalem came to Antioch, dispatched from the Apostle James. The cultural morals held by the Jews at that time were to not eat/share a meal with non-Jews. But Peter, as well as Barnabas, Paul’s companion in ministry, both fell away from the truth, and left eating with new Gentile converts to eat with the visiting Jews. This is “the fear of man,” and Paul confronted Peter face-to-face.

Paul’s conversion to Christ was because of a face-to-face exchange he had with Jesus, and three years being taught by God’s Spirit in Arabia let him realize what the law forced upon its followers. Forced works don’t come from faith, but from fear.

As Paul considers his own conversion, following the Law was nothing more than a series of fleshly works to appease the priests and leaders of Judaism. So, in today’s presentation, Paul’s confrontation with the Galatian Churches continues. Because of what the Judaisers (teachers of Jewish Law) brought to the Galatian Churches. he poses a series of questions to the Churches. Paul takes exception to Jerusalem’s envoys, and to the premise of their teachings.

Jewish converts were no longer Jewish, but Christians. And Gentile converts were no longer Gentiles, but Christians. The error can be placed at the feet of the Jews because they saw Christianity as a sect of Judaism, instead of a new-found faith based in God’s Son. Paul sees the Jews as antithetical to faith in Christ, while Peter still viewed Jesus’ teachings as updates and clarifications for the Jews. Paul understands that this new Christian faith worships the God of the Jews in an entirely new way: by faith instead of by works.

Paul reminds them that the Abrahamic Covenant was based in faith: Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. We should therefore remember that Abraham was once Abram the Gentile called by God to bring Messiah into the world through his descendants.

“For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” - Romans 4:13

Bobservations' Column - Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Romans 3:1-12 - "Faith and Works" Part 2

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

With a defense of his apostleship behind him, Paul spends the next two chapters defending the gospel he received by revelation. It is a gospel which proclaims justification by faith in Christ, not by keeping the works of the Law. As support, Paul begins by providing a personal argument, asking the Galatians to recall how they themselves had received the Spirit, and from Whom. That it came not by the works of the Law but through the hearing of faith should be obvious to them. If they were so begun in the Spirit, why seek to be made perfect by the flesh (1-5)?

For his next argument, Paul appeals to the Scriptures. First, Genesis 15:6 reveals that Abraham's faith was accounted to him as righteousness, and Genesis 12:3 foretold that in Abraham all the nations would be blessed. Therefore, those who are of faith are sons of Abraham and blessed along with him (6-9). As for the Law itself, the Scriptures reveal that those who are of the works of the Law are under a curse, while proclaiming that the just shall live by faith (Deuteronomy 27:26; Habakkuk 2:4). Christ, however, has redeemed us from the curse of the Law and made it possible for the blessing of Abraham to come upon the Gentiles, especially that the promise of the Spirit might be received through faith (10-14).

Continuing in his argument from the Scriptures, Paul reminds them that the covenantal nature of the promise made to Abraham means it cannot be broken. Therefore, the promise (along with its inheritance) to Abraham and His "Seed" (Christ) remained firm, even when the Law came along 430 years later (15-18). What was the purpose of the Law then? Paul answers that it was added because of transgressions until the Seed (Christ) should come. It was not against the promises of God, but because it could not provide life itself, it served the purpose of confining all under sin until the promise by faith in Jesus could be given to those who believe (19-22). Thus the law served to keep them under guard, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. To put it another way, it was like a tutor leading them to Christ where they could be justified by faith. Once faith had arrived, the tutor was no longer over them (23-25).

Paul then proceeds with a practical argument to prove we are justified by faith in Christ, which will be continued on into the fourth chapter. Through faith they have become sons of God in Christ, for in being baptized into Christ they had put on Christ (26-27). Being in Christ, they are now one in Him, with all racial, social, and sexual distinctions removed as it pertains to salvation. Being in Christ also makes them Abraham's seed and thereby heirs according to promise God made to him (28-29).

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Foolish (3:1) - This refers not to lack of intelligence, but to lack of obedience (cf. Luke 24:25; 1 Timothy 6:9; Titus 3:3).  Paul expressed his shock, surprise, and outrage at the Galatians' defection.

Who? (3:1) - The Judaizers, the Jewish false teachers, were plaguing the Galatian churches with false doctrine and undermining the gospel of Christ. 

Bewitched (3:1) - Charmed or misled by flattery and false promises.  The term suggests an appeal to the emotions by the Judaizers.

Evidently Set Forth (3:1) - Meaning "clearly portrayed".  The Greek word describes the posting of official notices in public places.  Paul's preaching had publicly displayed the true gospel of Jesus Christ before the Galatians. 

Crucified (3:1) - The Crucifixion of Christ was a one-time historical fact with continuing results into eternity.  Christ's sacrificial death provides eternal payment for believers' sins (cf. Hebrews 7:25), and does not need to be supplemented by any human works. 

Received Ye the Spirit (3:2) - The answer to Paul's rhetorical question is obvious.  The Galatians had received the Spirit when they were saved (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 John 3:24, 4:13), not through keeping the law, but through saving faith granted when hearing the gospel (cf. Romans 10:17).  the hearing of faith is actually hearing with faith.  Paul appealed to the Galatians' own salvation to refute the Judaizers' false teaching that keeping the law is necessary for salvation.

Are Ye So Foolish? (3:3) - Incredulous at how easily the Galatians had been duped, Paul asked a second rhetorical question, again rebuking them for their foolishness.

Begun in the Spirit . . . By the Flesh (3:3) - The notion that sinful, weak (Matthew 26:41; Romans 6:19), fallen human nature could improve on the saving work of the Holy Spirit was ludicrous to Paul.

Suffered (3:4) - The Greek word has the basic meaning of "experienced," and does not necessarily imply pain or hardship.  Paul used it to describe the Galatians' personal experience of salvation in Jesus Christ. 

Many Things (3:4) - This refers to all the blessings of salvation from God, Christ and the Holy Spirit (cf. Ephesians 1:3).

If Indeed it was in Vain (3:4) - See Luke 8:13; Acts 8:13,21; 1 Corinthians 15:2; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 13:5,6.

Sons of Abraham (3:7) - Believing Jews and Gentiles are the true spiritual children of Abraham because they follow his example of faith (cf. v. 29; Romans 4:11, 16).

Scripture, Foreseeing (3:8) - Personifying the Scriptures was a common Jewish figure of speech (cf. 4:30; John 7:38, 42; 19:37; Romans 9:17; 10:11; 11:2; 1 Timothy 5:18).  Because Scripture is God's Word, when it speaks, God speaks.

Preached the Gospel to Abraham (3:8) - The "Good News" to Abraham was the news of salvation for all the nations (quoted from Genesis 12:3; 18:18). See Genesis 22:18; John 8:56; Acts 26:22, 23.  Salvation has always, in every age, been by faith.

Those Who are of Faith . . . Abraham (3:9) - Whether Jew or Gentile.  The OT predicted that Gentiles would receive the blessings of justification by faith, as did Abraham.  those blessings a poured out on all believers because of Christ (cf. John :16; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 1:3, 2:6, 7; Colossians 2:10; 1 Peter 3:9; 2 Peter 1:3,4).

As Many as are of the Works of the Law (3:10) - Those attempting to earn salvation by keeping the Law.

Under the Curse (3:10) - Quoted from Deuteronomy 27:26 to show that failure to keep the law perfectly brings divine judgment and condemnation.  One violation of the law deserves the curse of God. (cf. Deuteronomy 27, 28).

All Things (3:10) - No one can keep all the commands of the law - not even strict Pharisees like Saul of Tarsus (Romans 7:7-12).

Justified (3:11) - Made righteous before God.

The Just Shall Live by Faith (3:11) - Paul's earlier OT quote (v.10; cf. Deuteronomy 27:26) showed that justification does not come from keeping the law; this quote from Habakkuk 2:4 shows that justification is by faith alone (cf. Hebrews 10:38).

The Law is not of Faith (3:12) - Justification by faith and justification by keeping the law are mutually exclusive, as Paul's OT quote from Leviticus 18:5 proves.

Christ Has Redeemed us from the Curse of the Law (3:13) - The Greek word translated "redeemed" was often used to speak of buying a slave's or debtor's freedom.  Christ's death, because it was a death of substitution for sin, satisfied God's justice and exhausted His wrath toward His elect, so that Christ actually purchased believers from slavery to sin and from the sentence of eternal death (4:5; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18; cf. Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:12).

Having Become a Curse for Us (3:13) - By bearing God's wrath for believers' sins on the cross, Christ took upon Himself the curse pronounced on those who violated the law.

It is Written (3:13) - The common NT way (sixty-one times) of introducing Old Testament quotes.  Deuteronomy 21:23 is quoted. 

The Blessing of Abraham (3:14) - Faith in God's promise of salvation.

Promise of the Spirit (3:14) - From God the Father. Cf. Isaiah 32:14; 44:3; 59:19-21; Ezekiel 36:26, 27; 37:14; 39:29; Joel 2:28,29; Luke 11:13; 24:49; John 7:37-39; 14:16, 26.

Morning Message: Faith and Works

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Works vs. Faith"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

In the Seven Letters to the Churches which were in Asia, recorded in Revelation 2 and 3, we read that each church had unique problems that warranted correction. But one thing becomes clear in every church, that is, that loving faith through grace leads us to correct doctrine.

Many churches respond to Jesus by entering into a works-based salvation, and it’s easy to follow that example because Jesus did good works throughout His ministry. But something is missing, because works becomes the goal.

In Matthew 9:20-22 we read of a specific woman. She had heard of Jesus and His ability to bring healing. He was nearby; crowds had gathered; He was teaching and healing others! But she was unclean because of a disease. If only she could get to Him, even just to touch the hem of His garment. She saw Him as her last chance to be healed. She stayed low to not draw attention to herself because of her uncleanness. She reached out to touch just His garment.

Jesus did not feel her touch, but he suddenly turned because He sensed His healing power go out to someone! “Who touched me?” He asked. He looked down to where she was and understood; “Daughter, thy faith has made the whole.” Jesus perceived her faith, and His healing flowed out to her.

We see in all of His healings that it took the faith of those healed to get to Him for the healing to begin. The man with the withered hand; the man born blind; the paralytic, and blind Bartimaeus on the road near Jericho; all had faith just to get to Jesus. Faith and works go hand-in-hand to complete God’s work in us. But God’s gift of faith comes first. Then good works follow.

We look to be healed, and Jesus looks for our faith, and in Ephesians 2, we learn that even our faith is a gift from God, so that no human can boast of their own faith. Exercise that gift of faith you have received and watch what happens. You will find His strength to endure, and your mind to understand what true healing is meant to be. (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56)

“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” - James 2:18

Bobservations' Column - Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Galatians 2:14-21 - "Faith and Works"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Galatians 2:14-21 discusses the core of the gospel: justification by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law. Paul confronts Peter's hypocrisy in publicly distancing himself from Gentile Christians after initially fellowshipping with them. Paul argues that if righteousness could be attained through the law, then Christ's death would have been unnecessary. He emphasizes that believers are crucified with Christ, and it is no longer they who live, but Christ who lives in them.

What do the scriptures teach about justification?

First, “Justification is the ACT OF GOD whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ.” In other words, it is an act, NOT a process. No Christian is “more justified” than another. Later in Galatians we’ll talk about another fifty-cent word, Sanctification. Now that’s a process. Sanctification is the continual process God uses to conform us to the image of His Son.

Justification isn’t something we do; it’s something God has done. The Bible speaks of justification as a done deal. Paul wrote, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) He didn’t say “we are being justified,” or “we will be justified.” It was a past reality. We HAVE been justified.

Second, “Justification is the act of God whereby He DECLARES the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ.” In other words, it doesn’t mean God MAKES you righteous. If you don’t feel very righteous, that’s okay. In our sinful nature, there is nothing good about us. Justification involves courtroom language. The Judge DECLARES you righteous, even though you’re guilty. In justification God says, “Not guilty. Never guilty. Never guilty again!”

Third, “Justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believing SINNER righteous in Jesus Christ.” God justifies sinners, not “good people.” The reason some people haven’t been justified is because they continue to insist they’re good people; they refuse to admit they are sinners.

Finally, “Justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner RIGHTEOUS in Jesus Christ.” I’ve been talking a great deal about righteousness in this Galatians series. A few weeks ago a lady came back to the Bethany Suite after the message and said, “I’m a little confused about what ‘righteousness’ is. Can you explain it to me in simple terms?” For a second I smiled as I thought, “There are entire theological libraries devoted to that topic, and I’m going to summarize it in one sentence?” So after thinking for a second I said, “Righteousness simply means ‘right standing’ before God.” That’s it in a nutshell. A sinner standing in his or her own attempts at righteousness can’t stand before a Holy God. But when we stand before God IN Jesus Christ, we are clothed in HIS righteousness, and as Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:12, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” If you try to approach God on your own goodness, you can’t stand—you’ll die. But if you approach God in Jesus, He sees the righteousness of Jesus.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Straightforward (2:14) - Literally to walk "straight" or "uprightly." By withdrawing from the Gentile Christians, Peter and the other Jewish believers were not walking in line with God's Word.

Live in the manner of Gentiles (2:14) - Before his gradual withdrawal, Peter regularly had fellowship and ate with the Gentiles, thus modeling the ideal of Christian love and liberty between Jew and Gentile.

Sinners of the Gentiles (2:15) - In the legal sense, Gentiles were sinners by nature, and they had no revealed divine written law to guide them toward salvation or living righteously.

Works . . . Faith (2:16) - Three times in this verse Paul declares that salvation is only through faith in Christ and not by law. The first is general, "a man is not justified"; the second is personal, "we might be justified"; and the third is universal, "no flesh shall be justified."

Justified (2:16) - A basic Greek word describing a judge declaring an accused person not guilty and therefore innocent before the law. Throughout Scripture, it refers to God's declaring a sinner not guilty and fully righteous before Him by imputing to him the divine righteousness of Christ and imputing the person's sin to his sinless Savior for punishment.

Works of the Law (2:16) - Keeping the law is a totally unacceptable means of salvation because the root of sinfulness is in the fallenness of man's heart, not his actions. The law served as a mirror to reveal sin not a cure for it.

Minister of Sin (2:17) - If the Judaizers were right, then Christ was wrong and had been teaching people to sin because He taught that food couldn't not contaminate a person (Mark 7:19; cf. Acts 10:13-15).

Things which I Destroyed (2:18) - The false system of salvation through legalism was done away with by the preaching of salvation by grace alone through faith alone.

Died to the Law (2:19) - When a person is convicted of a capital crime and executed, the law has no further claim on him. So it is with the Christian who has died in Christ (who paid the penalty for his sins in full) and rises to new life in Him. Justice has been satisfied, and he is forever free from any further penalty.

Crucified With Christ (2:20) - When a person trusts in Christ for salvation, he participates spiritually with the Lord in His crucifixion and His victory over sin and death.

No Longer I who Live, but Christ (2:20) - The believer's old self is dead having been crucified with Christ (Romans 6:3, 5). The believer's new man has the privilege of the indwelling Christ empowering him and living through him.

Gave Himself for Me (2:20) - The manifestation of Christ's love for the believer through His sacrificial death on the Cross (John 10:17, 18; Romans 5:6-8; Ephesians 5:25-30).

Christ Died in Vain (2:21) - Died needlessly. Those who insist they can earn their salvation by their own efforts undermine the foundation of Christianity and render unnecessary the death of Christ.