Scripture:
Galatians 2:19-21 – For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 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. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Observation:
Paul is continuing in his letter to the church at Galatia by confronting false teaching requiring confirming to the law. Paul explains that we are saved and justified by faith in Jesus Christ not by keeping the law. The law is holy and good, but we are incapable of the righteousness on our own to meet therequirement of the law. Therefore, believers are both justified and united with Christ through His finished work on the cross. As believers, we have been crucified with Christ and he lives in us through the Holy Spirit. The grace of God is sending Jesus to the cross to die for our sins and be resurrected not in keeping the law.
Application:
I must remember that I am incapable of fulfilling the law on my own. Therefore, I am dead in my own sin and unrighteous to God except through His love and undeserving grace in sending Jesus to pay for my sin debt so I can be reconciled and have a relationship with the Father. With that, I must live a life of faith in Jesus and know He lives in me. That is the gospel and there are no requirements to add to it in order receive the grace of God. AS Paul tells the church in verse 21, if righteousness could be achieved by keeping the law then it would not have been necessary for Jesus to die.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for your love and undeserving grace you gave to me through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Let me add no work to the gospel and live a life of faith through you and in you