Galatians 2:11-21
One of the all-time Christian memory verses, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (v. 20) This verse is so often quoted and more often alluded to, as in “You have been crucified with Christ…”! And it is a powerful verse. We who have accepted Jesus are no longer the same persons as in our former lives.
It’s unfortunate that verse 20 so quickly catches our eye that we can easily miss the next verse: I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly. (v. 21) This verse is also a powerful verse, but so easily overlooked! Jesus dying needlessly…??!! Through all that suffering…??!! What a horrible thought!! That thought alone ought to propel us to grab onto the Gospel of grace – it’s not by our works that we are saved!! Folks, this verse is an evangelism tool. When someone says something like, “I think I’ll go to heaven; I’m basically a good person…”, then you can respond with “So Jesus wasted His time dying on the cross…?”
There’s more in today’s reading, but I’ll leave it at that!
Slava Bohu!
Slava Bohu, Fred! I was struck that Paul spoke directly to Peter. He didn’t go backstabbing, writing letters about Peter to other churches, etc. I wonder if he first talked to him privately, or was this a first display of trying to please or appease the Judaizers.