Summary: Previous to this text Paul documents an exchange of words with Peter, but here Paul is continuing his address to Peter in order to state the thesis of the one true Gospel along with some support of it in that we pursue holiness because of Christ’s work not for personal merit, as if we by any work could merit salvation.
Note: It is widely debated as to whether or not Paul is addressing the Galatians or continuing his account with Peter. It seems more reasonable that this is an extension of his account because it continues to flow with the previous text without a new addressing of his audience. Also beginning in chapter 3, Paul does address the Galatians which is probably when his attention shifts back to his audience.
Timeless Principle: Now, in his address to Peter, Paul gives a glimpse of the truth of the Gospel, that a man “is not justified by works of the law but through [and only through] faith in Jesus Christ.” This is huge. Is this simply a unique theme in this letter or does it stretch beyond that? It seems that every time we talk about religion or anything concerning the Gospel, we revert to, in some shape or form, trying, as a sinful man, to become good. There is a problem with this thought of trying to be good. It simply does not work and if you argue becoming good (on your own) so that you may be accepted by God, then almost every fragment of scripture argues against you. It seems very clear the even the best works of a man are as bloody menstrual rags in comparison to the Holiness of God [Isaiah 64: 6]. So then it seem clear that as verse 16 alludes that no one is justified by works of the law because under sin there is a curse, so in trying to do good we simply surrender to the curse because no matter our effort we can’t shake it and on this curse the wrath of God is waiting to fall violently. That is why faith in Christ is so important it is why Paul has surrendered to it because it alone can be counted worthy of avoiding the impending judgment.
Now perhaps what exactly does this word justified really mean, why is the promise of justification in Christ such good news that it alone is the good news? The answer is found in the meaning of the word. But first to understand the meaning we must look once again at our condition. As mentioned earlier we are beyond repair, broken due to sin and because of this dilemma, God, by his nature has to destroy sin and in doing so destroy us, no matter what good we do we cannot make up for even one fault. So then God is waiting to punish sin violently, literally bending his bow and sharpening his weapons of wrath, making his arrows as fiery shafts, and, here it is, is declared perfectly righteous (morally justified) for doing so [see Psalm 7: 11-13]. That is our condition that an infinite God is waiting to punish this disease that we have fallen in. Now let us explore justification with our desolation in mind. The word literally means to be rendered innocent, blameless. Through faith in Christ, and faith in him alone, can this moral restitution occur. This is the love of Christ that he may become a curse for us bearing the impending judgment for a fallen people.
In verse 17 Paul shifts gears. Before discussing this text it is important to keep in mind that no matter what we do we fully deserve a heavy outpouring of wrath and it in Christ and in Christ alone that we may escape this fate. In his shift he gives the true reason for good works. In our justification we are sealed instantly with the Holy Spirit which works violently within us to make us Holy. The outworking of this seal is a grueling murder of the flesh. The violence of the heart change is set out for the world to see through good works. Paul argues here that if a man has been justified, then he must pursue, not good works, but to be more like Christ. Here is the catch, Christ had some serious good works, so if we follow Christ we do good works, NOT to make us worthy of his gift, but rather as a beloved son who simply wants to please his Father. If holiness, commonly seen in works, is not being pursued by a believer, then it seems that true faith and justification in Christ never occurred because the work of the Holy Spirit is not occurring. Perhaps this is what Paul means when he says test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. We must be careful when considering this idea for the Gospel is justification by faith in Christ, being set free from sin’s curse and adopted as sons, NOT works. Trying to clean up your life does not work and causes us to remain under sin’s curse. The Holy Spirit does that as soon as the opportunity is given in justification.
Hymn: (sweet hymn by Isaac Watts)
The triumph of faith in Christ:
Who shall condemn the Lord’s elect?
‘tis God who justifies their souls,
And mercy like a mighty stream
O’er all their sins divinely rolls
Who shall adjudge the saints to Hell?
‘Tis Christ that suffered in their stead,
And the salvation to fulfill,
Behold him rising from the dead,
He lives, he lives, and sits above,
Forever interceding there;
Who shall divide us from his love?
Or what shall tempt us from despair?
Shall persecution of distress,
Famine, or sword, or nakedness
He hath lov’d us bears us thro,
And makes us more that conquerors too.
Faith hath an overcoming power,
It triumphs in the dying hour;
Christ is our life, our joy, our hope;
Nor can we sink with such a prop.
Not all that men on earth can do.
Nor powers on high, nor powers below,
Shall cause his mercy to remove,
Or wean our hearts from Christ our love.
My Prayer: Father, I am miserable, tormented even in my search after good works. I fight trying to earn your approval and man’s. Oh God, remind me that I cant earn it even if I wanted too, because you have so freely given it declaring me righteous. And now strengthen me. Father cause the Spirit you have given me to violently kill my flesh. I have counted the cost and they don’t compare to infinite worth of pursuing you. Thank you for providing a way to be right with you when I could have never done so on my own. In Christ’s name, Amen.
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