Galatians 2 & 3

In these two chapters Paul is confronting the church at Galatia about Jewish converts to Christianity who had come into the church and were trying to make the Gentile believers follow Christ and Jewish Law. Paul spends time here reminding them that it’s not the law that brings salvation – but faith in Christ.

Paul even goes on to talk about how he calls out Peter (the rock of the church) for doing the very same thing.

Honestly, I think it’s easy – even today, to get caught up in a works based faith. But let us always remember that our faith isn’t based on our ability to do good – but what Jesus did on the cross.

“…man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” – Galatians 2:16a

That doesn’t mean the Law is meaningless, it’s vital to our understanding of faith and the complete otherness of God. He is holy – we are not. The law reminds us that we can never be good enough. That’s why we needed a Savior. Paul goes on to say at the end of chapter 3:

“So the Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” – Galatians 3:24