We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is 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 justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. (Galatians 2:15-21, NRSV)
Paul is telling the Galatians that he and his companions are Jewish by birth and followers of the Law, while those hearing this could be considered to be Gentile sinners, those who do not even attempt to follow the laws and are therefore not living up to them…
Yet after this introduction he goes on to say that it is not through the works of the Law or following the Law that saves us. We are justified by Jesus, through the faithfulness of Christ to go to the cross for us. Not for anything that we have done, or will do, but because of who Christ is and what He has done for all of us.
We have all been buried with Christ in our baptism and it is no longer us who live, but it is Christ who lives in us. Therefore we are justified by Him.
aSacredRebel 