SCRIPTURE
We are Jews by birth and not "Gentile sinners"; yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. But if, while seeking to be justified by Christ, we ourselves are also found to be sinners, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker. For through the law I have died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. 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 set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. (Galatians 2:15-21)
OBSERVATION
Paul is making a contrast between living a life by the law and living a life by faith. The life of law is about doing things, keeping the checklist, as a way to earn God's favor. Hoping the good outweighs the bad. Its focus is on the external but it never gets to the root of the issue...my heart. Living by faith means trust. It is through Jesus I am justified (declared "not guilty" before God) from my sin. It is an inside job because Christ lives in me. He changes my heart and produces a new life.
APPLICATION
Here is the struggle. How do I live a life pleasing to God? Paul alludes to that in this passage. Essentially, there are two ways to live:
First, My own strength (the flesh) => Trying to do good things => No justification (right relationship with God) because I'll fall short.
Second, The strength of Christ => Die to self (crucified with Christ) => Live by faith => Right relationship with God (justified).
It's really about freedom. I can try to do it on my own or, I can let Christ do it through me. It's a matter of getting self (the flesh) out of the way and allowing Christ, living in me, to direct my life. The reality is, as a follower of Jesus, he is living in me through the power of the Holy Spirit. When I get angry, yield to temptation, or live in a way that does not honor God, it is in those moments my flesh is calling the shots.
Crucifixion was a long, slow, painful process. If I have been crucified with Christ it sometimes means a long, slow, painful process of bringing my life under his control. Some areas die quickly. However, there are still areas of self that want to stay alive and remain in control...sins and bad habits that linger.
Paul repeatedly warns the Galatians about the temptation to revert to living by the flesh. I think that's why Jesus said I am to carry my cross daily. It is a daily thing to bring self to the cross and have the life of Jesus lived out in my life.
PRAYER
Lord, today help me to live by faith and not in the flesh. I want Jesus, who lives in me, to call the shots.
