THE CRUCIFIED LIFE

Paul’s concern in his letter to the Galatians over the purity of the gospel should be a warning to us all. Like Peter, we might find it easy to say we believe that our justification before God comes only through faith in Jesus Christ (2:16), but at times our actions might indicate we have grown confused (1:7). It is not just the Jews of Bible times who were tempted to live as though their salvation depended on following all of God’s commands, doing all that He says to do and avoiding all that He says to avoid. Modern Christians can find themselves going through the motions or calculating how many Sundays they can skip church before arousing God’s ire.

          Like Peter, we might not realize that we have added something sinister to the gospel when we strive to generate our own righteousness by rule-following. And like Peter we might impose the “works of the law” not only on ourselves but on those around us. The law, just doing its job, leaves us feeling convicted of sin and guilty before God. It should drive us back to Christ.

          Paul calls us back to the purity of the gospel and faith in Christ, where there is freedom. But if we stop tracking our own righteousness and that of others around us, will that not open the door to the acceptance of sin? Not when we understand that what God desires is for us to truly live for Him (2:19).

          This life of true righteousness, though, is only possible if we accept the law’s death penalty and allow our present life – our very selves – to be crucified with Christ. Once we have died to ourselves, there is room for Christ to live in us (2:20), directing our hands, our feet, and our mouths.

          This opportunity is available only by the grace of God, whose Son loved us enough to give Himself for us (2:21). The crucified life embraces this grace. The score-keeping life sets it aside, risking tragic results.