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Faith and Works (Gal. 2:15-21)

'We, who are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles, [yet] who know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? Of course not! But if I am building up again those things that I tore down, then I show myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing (Gal. 2:15-21).’

St, Paul was addressing the Church in Galatia and the ‘We’ referred to Peter and Paul who were Jews by birth.  They were not like the Gentiles (sinners) who did not even know about the Law of Moses, although Paul knew that both Jews and Gentiles alike were sinners.  When we stand before God’s Tribunal, it is only His benevolence, mercifully bestowed upon human beings through faith in Jesus Christ that will make us righteous (justify us); “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God (Rom. 3:22-23).”  If Christians are found to be sinners does that mean that Christ was a means through which the sin occurred?  Not at all.  And if Christians return to observing the Law in order that they may be justified, the Law which they gave up through knowledge of Christ, then they have transgressed the Law for abandoning it in the first place.  Paul renounced the Law so that he could live for God.  Christians are identified through their faith and baptism so they can have Christ dwelling in them because of his crucifixion.  If justification came through the Law, then Christ died for nothing.

Lord God of all creation, it is our heartfelt desire to join ourselves totally to Christ so that we may be justified in your sight.  Grant us the grace to be formed in Christ in spiritual love so that we may live as Christ lived and love as Christ loved.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen! 

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References:

Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.

Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.

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