Acts 15:1-35; Galatians 1-2
Old habits die hard. And the oldest habit of all is self-justification.
Paul, once the ultimate Pharisee, sees through legalism and self-justification like no one else. He understands what it means to be zealous for the Law of Moses and for the traditions of his fathers. (Galatians 1:14; Philippians 3:4-6) He also knows Jesus. He knows that he cannot attain righteousness under the Law. He knows that by the grace of God he is already righteous in Jesus.
Paul says:
For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 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. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Galatians 2:19-21
We have a choice. We can trust in ourselves and seek to make ourselves look good, to prove ourselves, to justify ourselves. Or we can die and turn our lives over to Jesus. Which will it be today?
See also: