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.
Several decades ago my aunt died very unexpectedly. She was much loved and it was a shock for the family and their many friends. I remember visiting with my uncle and sharing the Easter sermon I was going to preach as a lay reader that coming Sunday. It was well-intentioned on my part. But I may have failed to acknowledge the pain and loss he was experiencing at the time. Truly, her eternal hope was being realized, and she was with Jesus. But he had a lot of life to live then and there.
I remember how my mom spoke of missing my dad so severely. She lost him too soon; he was only 64 at the time of his death. And she lived for nearly 30 years after he died. She never doubted her eternal destiny. But life in the meantime was full of challenges, blessings, opportunities, and pain.
How do you live today in light of our eternal hope? What does it mean to acknowledge that we have been saved and yet we’re not in heaven just yet?
This is what Paul is speaking of here when he writes, “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.” He is acknowledging that daily life is not a matter of ritualistic religion, but of daily faith working itself out in love. We’re commanded to love God above all things, and love our neighbor as ourselves. That’s not a matter of focusing on proper religious rituals, but of living in daily repentance and faith according to our calling.
I think of John the Baptizer who was asked by crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers what they should do if they were living unto God. His answer: share with those in need, treat people honestly and fairly, and don’t use your power to intimidate or take advantage of others.
Living unto God is more than a two hour Sunday morning stint. It’s everyday life in humility, hope, kindness, mercy, and love. It’s a reflection of the way Jesus lived. And it is a life free from condemnation because he lived it perfectly and has secured our eternal salvation.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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