Galatians 2:16 - Complete Confidence Without Conformity
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
Complete Confidence Without Conformity
Sinners experience justification, being declared and judged righteous before God. How? By one simple instrument, way, and means: Faith. The apostle Paul writes: “We have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified” (Gal. 2:16). What is it to believe in Jesus Christ? It is to have faith in Jesus Christ. What is faith in Jesus Christ? Faith in Jesus Christ is complete confidence in Him.
And this complete confidence is without any conformity to any commandments of conscience (Ro. 3:28). This complete confidence is without any conformity to any commandments of the Mosaic Covenant (Ro. 3:28). “Know that a man is not justified by the works of the Law” (Gal. 2:16). “We” are “justified…not by the works of the Law” (Gal. 2:16). “For by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified” (Gal. 2:16). This means sinners are not justified by their inherent righteousness at all (Ro. 1:18-3:21). They do not experience salvation by becoming more and more inherently holy (Eph. 2:8-9).
They are justified by faith without works, faith alone (Ro. 3:28). Thus, they believe in Jesus Christ. Thus, the experience salvation, that is vindication before God at the Last Judgment (Ro. 1:18-3:31).
Believers, we have complete confidence without conformity, confidence alone in Jesus Christ Alone: That the Righteousness inherent to Him Alone is credited, reckoned, and imputed to us sinners by Grace Alone, with all our sins forgiven to God’s Glory Alone, as written in Scripture Without the Traditions of Men, Scripture Alone (Ro. 3:21-4:25). And that is Good News in these Last Days, When the Signs appear that 2nd Advent is Close: That the End of this present creation is Near; That the Last Judgment approaches. Amen!
©Pastor Craig Phelps, Doctor of the Bible