Day Two

In Galatians 2, Paul starts his letter super passionate! Let us explain why. Some people are coming into the church and preaching “a different gospel” and they are convincing. So convincing that even Peter gets caught up in the mess. Paul lets Peter know that his actions are wrong.

The problem Paul had with Peter in Galatians 2:11-14, sets the context for the key passage in 2:15-21. Peter, we see, separated himself from the Gentile Christians when it came to table fellowship (eating a meal) as the law in the Torah would demand Jews to separate from the uncircumcised Gentiles. So, Peter's actions suggest a separation of Gentile and Jewish Christians based on whether they had been circumcised or not. This denies the new covenant, which began by the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. Or as Paul says in verse 21 – "for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” The hypocrisy at play is that Peter clearly believes one thing and is acting another way.

We're reminded throughout Galatians that Jesus saves us, permanently, from the false gospel that claims that we are still bound by the Law of the Torah. The works of the Law served a purpose prior to Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, they showed us what sin was, but now thanks to the permanence and power of what Jesus did on the cross, we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

This applies to us even still today, as believers in Christ, we lay down our sinful nature and as Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." Through this theological and spiritual death & resurrection, which shows us also the depth of the love of God, Paul is explaining that he is no longer the person he was–a Jew who was identified by his observance and adherence to the law. But now as a believer in Christ, the Holy Spirit that now lives within him is what identifies Paul as part of the people of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.” We are a new creation! No longer bound by the old ways or the old chains, but free and brand new. Through these verses, we can take comfort in the knowledge that the depth of God’s love for us is unending, and the work of Christ is absolutely final.

Friend, we are saved by Jesus, and nothing can separate us from him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to rescue us. Thank you for our justification through Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, and thank you that we are saved by the blood of Christ. As we go into our day, we remember you and thank you. Help us to extend grace to others in the same way you have shown grace to us. Amen.