Synopsis: Galatians was written to a group of Gentiles that had been infected with Judiazing teachings; they had been taught that they were required to fulfil the rituals of the Jewish law (circumcision, washings, dietary laws, etc) to be saved. All of Galatians refutes this heresy, and teaches why Christians must be moral. This passage particularly highlights the differences between Jewish justification (which was only an external declaration) and Christian Justification, which is also a declaration, but also involves the inner man becoming righteous – that is, the obliteration of sin (not just forgiveness), and eventual perfection. Why should we care about the difference between the Jewish view and the Christian reality? Because almost everyone, to a greater or lesser degree often lives and thinks as the Jews did.
More homilies on the 21st day after Pentecost are HERE
Galatians 2:16-20 16 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. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
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Father Bless! Thank you. You have answered many of my questions regarding confession and forgiveness of sin, salvation, justification and being/becoming righteous/holiness vs sanctification and "declared righteousness" in this one sermon:
"It's important to understand the principle because this why we are born…those that are not holy, whether they are forgiven or not – doesn't matter. If you are not holy you cannot be in the presence of God because He is a consuming fire, and a person who has darkness in them – will be afraid. So the question lies: Is this darkness leaving us? Are these things in our heart that are cold and dark going away and being replaced with the warmth of the Holy Spirit? That in sum total is what the Christian life is…"