April 16–Justified

Happy Monday. This weekend I heard that today, there are more pictures taken in 2 minutes than were taken throughout the 19th century in total. The times are certainly changing which is the situation the Jews are finding themselves in here in Galatians. Now in the second part of chapter 2, we find some of the richest theological verses in our Testament. Paul begins to talk about this idea of justification and what it means in relation to the law. When I think of that, I think of my kids trying to explain to me why it was ok to do something they knew they shouldn’t have done or someone explaining why in this case it was ok to lie...justifying wrong actions. Our explanations and convoluted excuses as to why we should be found blameless for a wrong action. 

“know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified...For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ 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.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:16, 19-20‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

(Philip) For Paul, there's actually a lot of overlap with how we use the word, today.  Think of what it means for someone to justify their actions, or justify an expense, or justify eating a quart of ice cream in one sitting.  It means "to prove that this is right."

In the Old Testament, Israel kept God's laws, and God was on their side.  They defeated armies much larger than themselves and lived in a promised land, and as long as they lived in faithfulness to God - both in their hearts and as defined by the Law - they enjoyed prosperity even in the midst of enemies.  They were justified by God - shown to the whole world to be in the right.  When the Red Sea drowns your enemies or you beat an army of thousands with hundreds, there's no mistaking who God thinks is on the right side.

We call this way of faithful living "righteousness" (i.e. right-ness, living rightly) and God's demonstration of someone being in the right as "justification."  It's like when a judge pronounces a person not guilty.

But this arrangement did not work out for Israel long term.  The Law was fine, but the people (and especially their leaders) did not keep it.  They worshipped the gods of other nations, stopped trusting in God and started trusting in allies with big armies, and their leaders used their power to promote themselves and make money instead of sacrificially caring for the least of them.

God, then, demonstrated they were not in the right.  The curses of the Law kicked in.  Israel was exiled from her land and, over time, ruled by a series of pagan empires.  In Paul's day, it was Rome.  Israel's very situation showed that they were not justified.  So, what's the solution?

(Pam) Obviously it’s not in keeping the law. We can’t just try harder to be good, but rather we have to have an intimacy with the Savior, a relationship with Him. It’s more than going to church. It’s more than checking the Christian box, it’s more than your radio station...it’s having Him as your constant, allowing your self to be filled with the Spirit and letting Christ live in you. 

Father God thank you for justifying us and teaching us to be crucified with Christ so that we no longer live—every day. You are a good good Father, that’s simply who you are and you love us so. We praise you this day and lift you up. We sing hallelujah and glory to the King. Amen and amen. 

Love you dear one,

Pam and Philip