Scripture:
Gal. 2:16
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.
Observation:
Paul whom knows the law and kept the law to the utmost esteem is a vital person writing these words. If anyone in the biblical history can have a reason to say they were a law keeper and was in right standing with God because of how well he or she kept the law it would have been Paul. The transition in vocabulary and different train of through proves a difference in Paul. Paul does not want people being led astray and for hypocrisy to take root in young and new believers. Salvation is by faith alone and in Christ alone by his grace.
Application:
So many times I can be a judaizer and hold myself or others to the law of which subconsciously I believe makes God more happy with me and he some how favors me. I look down on others that may not keep man made laws and sometime God made laws as good as me. I tend to in my heart believe that works and good things justify me before God. This is so counter to the Gospel. It is by his grace, through faith in Christ that I am justified. My right standing before the Father has nothing to do with I have done or what I do, yet has all to do with what Jesus Christ did. I must stop each day and rest, sit, and walk in the justification of Christ. As I think about it, it genuinely makes me just stope and pray and thank my Heavenly Father who is so good and so loving.
Prayer:
Father, Thank you. Thank you for loving me and us so much. You have made a way for us to stand justified before you and my prayer is ALL would come to the truth and knowledge of your Son. I the powerful name of Jesus I ask these things. Amen