Galatians 2:20-21 – Salvation By Grace Leads To Holy Living
God works in our lives so that we can say: ‘It is no longer I who live’. The world no longer revolves around me. The old me which was dominated by thoughts of my own ease and pleasure is dead. It’s a radically different way of looking at the world.
So why do so many who call themselves Christians not live as if their old self has died? Why is there no evidence of Christ living in them? The answer is, that they’ve never been converted. A Christian isn’t a person who believes the teachings of the Bible. Satan believes the teachings of the Bible. A Christian is someone who has died with Christ, whose stiff neck has been broken, whose stony heart has been crushed, whose pride has been slain – and has Jesus reigning in their place. To truly believe in Jesus isn’t just to believe that he was crucified. It’s to believe that you were crucified with him. Have you died to your old way of looking at the world?
I’m sure we’ve all seen films where it looks like the bad guy has been killed. He’s lying there, apparently lifeless, but as soon as people turn their backs he springs up and attacks them. And our old selves can be like that. Trying to rise up and go back to their old tricks. But we’re not to let them! Is Christianity for you just attending church and reading your Bible? Or is it a battle? Constantly dying to your old way of thinking? Yes, you’re a sinner. But Jesus came for sinners. Yes, up till now your life may have been centred on you. But Jesus came so that our old selves could be crucified with him.
Don’t fool yourself that the good life you’re living compared to those around you will be enough. Paul says in v21: ‘if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose’. The doctrine of salvation by works, of justification by living a good life, dishonours Jesus. It dishonours him because it says that there was no point in him coming. It says that Jesus was wasting his time. That he came and lived and suffered and died for no purpose.
What a rallying call we have to wake up to every morning! Not – ‘I must obey today to earn God’s favour’. But the words of v20: ‘I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And 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’.
Questions
- What does it mean to truly believe in Jesus?
- What does salvation by works dishonour Jesus?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.