Galatians 2 Devotional

Right with God by Faith

“know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”Galatians 2:16 (BSB)

When Paul laid his gospel before the Jerusalem leaders, they added nothing, did not require the Greek believer Titus to be circumcised, and welcomed Paul as a partner (2:1-9). Later, at Antioch, Peter drew back from eating with Gentile believers out of fear of the circumcision group. Paul opposed him publicly, because this was out of step with the truth of the gospel (2:11-14).

A seating arrangement matters because it says whom God accepts and on what basis. Put plainly, a person is not justified, declared right with God, by doing what the law requires, but through faith in Jesus Christ (2:16). Peter's retreat implied Gentiles needed something more. Nothing more is needed. If righteousness could come through the law, Christ's death would have been pointless (2:21). The life Paul now lives, he lives by trusting the Son of God, who loved him personally and handed himself over for him (2:20). Because your acceptance rests on Christ, you can stop earning it and share the table with everyone he has received.

To think about: Where do you still feel you must earn your standing with God, and what would it mean to rest in what Christ has done?