We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 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. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
It’s all about Jesus. At times it’s sin and grace. Occasionally it’s repentance and faith. But it’s never “You are an Overcomer!” Or how to become a millionaire by giving generous offerings. Nor even “Why should you support Israel in their war against Hamas.”
But sometimes I almost feel guilty – like I’m a one-trick pony. But it is true: I’m pretty much a one-trick pony when it comes to preaching. In fact my son, decades ago offered me what he thought was a helpful insight into my preaching. “Dad,” he said, “whenever you preach, no matter the text or the topic, you always end up talking about Jesus.” I had to explain to him that was intentional. That is the center of our theology, the ground of our hope, and the basis for our life here and now.
But when I read Paul’s letter to the Galatians I almost wonder about his penchant for talking about justification by grace through faith. He is going to great lengths to set this foundation for his ongoing message to them. There is more to come. But none of it will make any sense apart from understanding that we are all justified by God’s grace through faith. Jew. Gentile. Slave. Free. Male. Female. Young. Old. We are all justified by something outside of us. I should say someone other than we ourselves.
Some say this article of faith is outdated and irrelevant to modern men and women. But I say we’re all wanting to be justified in any way other than by grace through faith. I want to make sure you understand my decision to buy that new lens is a good a just decision. You want to be certain your choice of car is appropriate. We all want to make our votes count and show just cause for how we voted.
It even flows to our prayers. We want to be sure our prayers are reasonable and good. We want to ask things in just the right way. We want to know we’re not being selfish when we pray.
These are good things, but what if we could act, vote, buy, and pray with the best of motives possible and leave it to God to sort out what is good and not. And what if we took his answers as they are without question because we actually believe God is good and trustworthy, gracious and loving?
What if we could live with a deep sense of peace knowing that we’re right with God because of his decision not our own? We are right with God by his grace and goodness, not our sincerity or intent to do good.
Paul died to the law so that he could be alive to God. I want to join him there and celebrate now and throughout eternity his goodness, grace, faithfulness, justice, glory, and love. I hope you will join me there at the foot of the cross.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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