Freedom

17 But if we ourselves are also found to be "sinners" while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter t of sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild the system I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker. 19 For through the Law I have died to the Law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ 20, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died for nothing. Galatians 2:17-21

Freedom. How many times just this weekend have you heard the word "Freedom?" There are freedom sales and freedom celebrations. We have listened to the phrase mentioned in sentences like "I have the freedom to do…." You fill in the rest.

It is true, as Americans, we have freedom. Our founding fathers ensured our freedoms when constructing the Constitution of The United States. We have freedom of voice, freedom of opinion, and thought. Our freedoms are as vast as our dreams. However, during a discussion, we must remember that freedom comes at a cost.

As believers, we understand that the word freedom casts an entirely different and eternal understanding. We have freedom in Christ. This weekend in our continued study in the book of Galatians, we see that Paul openly opposes Peter regarding his hypocrisy regarding the Law and Christ's death.

Paul, in Galatians 2:17-21, gets right to the point with Peter. Paul speaks of justification. So what is Justification? Justification is the response of God where He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ. Every word of this definition is essential. Justification is an act and not a process. Since we are justified by faith, it is an instant and immediate transaction between the believing sinner and God. If works justified us, then it would have to be a gradual process. In justification, God declares the believing sinner righteous; He does not make him righteous. (Of course, real justification leads to a changed life, which is what James 2 is all about.) Remember, before the sinner trusts Christ, he stands GUILTY before God; but the precise moment an individual trusts Christ, they are declared NOT GUILTY, and he can never be called GUILTY again! It's important to note that justification is not simply "forgiveness ."A person could be forgiven and then go out and sin and become guilty. Friends, once you have been "justified by faith," you can never be held guilty before God. There is immediate freedom from the Law.

In this closing rebuke of Peter, Paul concludes with the gospel. The reader is reminded that we are saved by faith in Christ and live by faith in Christ. Furthermore, we are so identified with Christ by the Spirit that we die with Him (see Rom. 6). So here is the freedom part, we are dead to the Law. Paul indicated that going back to Moses is to return to the graveyard! As believers, we have been "raised to walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). Remember the words from your baptism. From that moment of justification, we live by His resurrection power; we do not need the "help" of the Law.

Furthermore, Peter is reminded (as are we) that returning to the Law nullifies Christ giving of His life on the Cross: "If righteousness came by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain" (Gal. 2:21). Friends, the Old Testament law says DO! In the New Testament, Grace responds by saying DONE! Christ proclaimed, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). "For by grace are ye saved through faith" (Eph. 2:8). Friends, that is freedom!

Upon our gathering this weekend, allow me to challenge you with the following questions of reflection; has the Grace of God saved me? Am I trying to mix Law and grace? Do I rejoice in the fact that I am justified by faith in Christ? Am I willing to defend the truth of the Gospel Am I living the truth?

I look forward to being back in fellowship with each of you this coming Sunday!