July 7, 2025 - Galatians 2:16 - "God's Salvation"

Galatians 2:16

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law- None are absolved from the guilt of sin or declared righteous in the sight of God by any kind of works done by the sinner.  

By the law is the knowledge of sin,  Romans 3:20. God never purposed the law as a means of salvation for any sinner, but only to further show the sinfulness of sin through the revelation of the law.   

But by the faith of Jesus Christ. It is NOT that any are justified by believing in Christ. It is rather that by THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST that is His obedience of faith to the Father, or His faithfulness accomplished in His life and death for those sinners that the Father gave Him.   

Even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law;  Faith in Jesus Christ is NOT the cause of justification, but the fruit that the LORD Jesus has fulfilled the law by His perfect life and death in accord with the law.   

For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. No one can ever be declared righteous before God by their obedience to God’s law because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. The best righteousness of the sinner is nothing but filthy rags before a Holy God, Isaiah 64:6.

People will readily give up many things to attempt to earn their salvation.  The question is, ‘What does God Himself require?’ The Scriptures conclude: 

Ephesians 2:8,9- God’s salvation is a gift and cannot be earned.  It is not our merits, but God’s mercies in Christ that are our only hope.  

2 Corinthians 5:21- Our best obedience can never satisfy a holy God.  Only the righteousness and death of Christ put to our account can give us that perfect standing and forgiveness needed to be accepted before God.   

1 Peter 1:21- It is not our faith that saves, but the faith (faithfulness) of Christ.  True faith is God-given and embraces Him as the only Hope of salvation.  It is because He is the faithful Substitute, Redeemer, and High Priest that God shows mercy to sinners, who then by His grace trust in Him alone.