ALLOWING GOD TO LIVE THROUGH YOU BY GRACE
READ Galatians 2:11-21
Today's reading begins with the Apostle Paul rebuking the Apostle Peter about living his life with two opposing standards (vs. 11-14). It was about the way he treated the Gentiles. He treated them one way when no other prominent Jews were around, and then he treated them differently when prominent Jews were present (see verse 12). Peter needed to learn the lesson again, that the ground at the cross is level for all.
Verse 16 is one of the strongest verses in the Bible about justification by faith. How one is saved is so very clear: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." It is clear we are justified by faith in the person and works of Jesus (His death, burial, and resurrection).
When one is justified by faith he is to live for God. Paul stated in verse 20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." A believer learns to live for God by doing four things:
The believer lives for God by dying to the law.
The believer lives for God by being crucified with Christ.
The believer lives for God by allowing Christ to live His life through his body.
The believer lives for God by trusting the grace of God, that is, by trusting Jesus Christ who is God's righteousness.
Someone once said, "Crosses were not made for carrying...they were made for dying. There should be no pride in the number and weight of the crosses we carry. Their purpose is for our death to self." Are you living for God by dying to self? Let's make sure that we live like Paul who stated in Galatians 2:21, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Live your life for God, by grace, through faith in Him.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Can you identify any reasons why some believers act differently when they get around other people? Do you act differently? Or is your life consistent no matter who you are around?
2. What justifies you in the sight of God?
3. There are a lot of 'good people' in the world. Is that sufficient reason to be called righteous by God? Why or why not?
4. What part of you is the hardest to put to death? Your tongue? Your thoughts? Your actions? Why does it have such a powerful grip on your life? What can you do to control it, to squelch it?
5. In what practical ways can you nurture and cultivate your trusting God for His grace?