Walk in Freedom, Walk in Grace
The Moment You Try to Earn It, You've Left It
SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 5:4-5 NKJV - You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
OBSERVATION:
These two verses that Paul writes summarize his argument against “justification through the law.” Notice that Paul uses the words “estranged (alienated),” “attempt (trying),” and “fallen from (out).” All of these words are attached to the two words “Justified” and “Grace.”
What Paul is saying is that when we try to obtain justification by circumcision or works, we alienate or estrange ourselves from Grace. Literally, we have “fallen” from grace or have fallen out of grace.
Paul said in vs 2, “Christ will not benefit you at all…” That is something I never want to experience. He was the ONLY ONE righteous enough to pay the debt for our sin.
Hebrews 2:17 NKJV - Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
The word propitiation appears only four times in the New Testament. It is a legal term meaning to render oneself for reconciliation and mercy. It is the act of appeasing God's wrath and restoring a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is related to the idea of atonement. No one but Jesus could do this.
Another word that Paul uses is “Justified.” This is also a legal term. Justification is the act of showing that something is right or righteous. It is the act of acquittal. Just as if I’d never sinned (Justified).
Paul uses two laws: the Law of Grace and the Law of Circumcision. One brings us freedom; the other brings us into bondage. Both address the requirements of the Law. One is fulfilled in Christ; the other imposes the obligation to keep the entire Law.
APPLICATION:
Are you estranged, alienated, and attempting to be justified by works of the law? Do you feel the weight of the more than six hundred laws that must be kept to please God by the law (it would be a task to remember all six hundred)? Maybe you st807ill think that God grades on the curve… “Surely, He won’t expect me to keep ALL the law?”
James 2:10 NKJV - For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
Have you fallen from grace? Most people equate falling with falling away from the Lord. But Paul said you can “fall from grace.” Some argue that “from” should be “out,” but they mean the same thing. Have you fallen out of the grace Jesus gave you at the cross? Do you think you can be your own propitiation or justification? You can’t… But there is still hope for you and me!
For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith… We can live by faith in Christ alone and walk in his propitiation, justification, and grace.
Galatians 5:1 NKJV – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Walk in freedom, walk in grace!
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for the justification and propitiation you gave me at the cross. Thank you for redemption, apart from my works, which were and still are a gift of God. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, which saved a WRETCH like me!
Galatians 5:4-5 NKJV - You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
OBSERVATION:
These two verses that Paul writes summarize his argument against “justification through the law.” Notice that Paul uses the words “estranged (alienated),” “attempt (trying),” and “fallen from (out).” All of these words are attached to the two words “Justified” and “Grace.”
What Paul is saying is that when we try to obtain justification by circumcision or works, we alienate or estrange ourselves from Grace. Literally, we have “fallen” from grace or have fallen out of grace.
Paul said in vs 2, “Christ will not benefit you at all…” That is something I never want to experience. He was the ONLY ONE righteous enough to pay the debt for our sin.
Hebrews 2:17 NKJV - Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
The word propitiation appears only four times in the New Testament. It is a legal term meaning to render oneself for reconciliation and mercy. It is the act of appeasing God's wrath and restoring a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is related to the idea of atonement. No one but Jesus could do this.
Another word that Paul uses is “Justified.” This is also a legal term. Justification is the act of showing that something is right or righteous. It is the act of acquittal. Just as if I’d never sinned (Justified).
Paul uses two laws: the Law of Grace and the Law of Circumcision. One brings us freedom; the other brings us into bondage. Both address the requirements of the Law. One is fulfilled in Christ; the other imposes the obligation to keep the entire Law.
APPLICATION:
Are you estranged, alienated, and attempting to be justified by works of the law? Do you feel the weight of the more than six hundred laws that must be kept to please God by the law (it would be a task to remember all six hundred)? Maybe you st807ill think that God grades on the curve… “Surely, He won’t expect me to keep ALL the law?”
James 2:10 NKJV - For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
Have you fallen from grace? Most people equate falling with falling away from the Lord. But Paul said you can “fall from grace.” Some argue that “from” should be “out,” but they mean the same thing. Have you fallen out of the grace Jesus gave you at the cross? Do you think you can be your own propitiation or justification? You can’t… But there is still hope for you and me!
For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith… We can live by faith in Christ alone and walk in his propitiation, justification, and grace.
Galatians 5:1 NKJV – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Walk in freedom, walk in grace!
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for the justification and propitiation you gave me at the cross. Thank you for redemption, apart from my works, which were and still are a gift of God. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, which saved a WRETCH like me!
Falling from grace isn't falling away from God — it's falling back into the exhausting illusion that you can justify yourself when Christ already did it for you.
Posted in 09 - Galatians
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