Daily Bread - 06/21/07

Galatians 2:16 - Knowing that a man is not made righteous out of works of the Law but through Christ Jesus' faith and we have believed on Christ Jesus that we might be made righteous from Christ's faith and not from works of the Law because from works of the Law shall no flesh be shown righteous.

There are two kinds of works: the works of the law and the works of faith (James 2:17-22; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Revelation 2:19). The most important distinction between these two is that seeking to be made righteous by the works of the law depends on human ability whereas the works of faith is by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-9). What Paul highlights in this verse is the difference between seeking to be righteous through the works of the law instead of seeking righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. The righteousness that comes by Jesus Christ is given to all as a free gift and depends on what God does for us. The righteousness that comes by the law is earned and depends on the ability of man to produce it.

The most important point that the Apostle Paul makes is that no man can be made righteous through the works of the Law. The Law is weak because it depends on the flesh or human ability (Romans 8:3; 9:31). The Law is also powerless because it cannot impart life (Galatians 3:21). The Law is the ministry of condemnation (2 Corinthians 3:9; Galatians 3:10; Psalms 143:2). By the Law there is a continual declaration to man the he is a sinner (Romans 3:20; 1 Corinthians 15:56; Hebrews 7:19; 10:1). The Law brings wrath through its strict code of condemnation (Romans 4:15). The Law produces self-righteousness (Philippians 3:9). All who have come to Jesus are dead to the Law by being put to death with Christ (Romans 7:4; Ephesians 2:15; Galatians 2:19-20).

It is through the Holy Spirit that the works of faith are done. God's desire for us to live pure and godly lives is now fulfilled in us by the work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4; Galatians 3:2,5; 5:18). Works in this context simply refer to the deeds or conduct of our life. If our conduct was not important to God then much of the New Testament, which is devoted to the way we conduct our life, is meaningless. However, all honest and reasonable people must recognize that God - who is no respecter of persons - will judge every man according to his deeds (1 Peter 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 6:23). We no longer depend upon our own human strength and ability but upon the Spirit of God. We are those who have come to realize that we can do nothing of ourselves. We live the life that pleases God through the power of the Holy Spirit and the greater one who lives on the inside of us (1John 4:4; Philippians 3:3; Romans 8:1; Colossians 1:27; 1 John 3:24).

God grants the gift of righteousness to us instantly by removing the curse of sin and the law (Romans 5:17; Genesis 2:17; 3:15-19; Galatians 3:10; Romans 8:2, 33). God provides us with a new heart, a new spirit as well as the Holy Spirit to live His life of righteousness (Romans 6:18; Ephesians 4:24; Romans 8:4). The idea that the righteousness of faith is not a real righteousness runs contrary to the whole of God's revelation to man. God redeemed us so that we could be restored to relationship with Him. It is impossible to have a right relationship with God unless we walk in righteousness. Both Paul, Peter and John made it very clear that we cannot walk in darkness (unrighteousness) and say that we have fellowship with God (2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; 1 John 1:5- 6; 1 Peter 2:9 ).

Laying all legal terminology and extra-biblical arguments aside everyone must simply admit that the verb 'dikaioo' means 'make dikaios' (make righteous). If faith in Jesus Christ is a supernatural work of God's grace that produces the new birth of the Spirit whereby we become possessors of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) and made the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21) then we have indeed been empowered with the life of Christ to live righteously (Luke 1:75; Ephesians 2:24; Romans 6:18; Titus 2:12; Romans 8:4 and many more).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org