THE LIFE I NOW LIVE

Galatians 2:16-21

Morning Meditation 11/23/2015

"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. 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. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless 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. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."

Paul when writing to the churches of Galatia was not living the life he used to live. In his conversion chapter, Acts Chapter 9, it begins with, "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord . . ."

We have in these verses a short autobiography of the life he now lived. First it was--

A LIFE JUSTIFIED WITHOUT THE DEEDS OF THE LAW

Paul tells us that ". . . by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. " Then again he says in Romans 3:20, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

Paul was very clear on this. Before his conversion he tells us in Philippians 3:4-7, "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."

The law cannot forgive sin. Paul found one who could in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul's conversion brought new light to the word justification. It is justification through Christ apart from the law. Next we see--

A LIFE IMPARTED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

Verse 16 of our text says, "We have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ. . ." Thus by faith in Christ the righteousness of God is imputed to the believer. The righteousness of God is the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The law is but a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Gal. 3:24). "Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness" (Rom 4:3). This is the Divine law of grace. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). Next we see--

A LIFE LIVED UNTO GOD

Galatians 2:19, "For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God." Being made free from the terrors of the law, and the ensnaring power of sin; saved out of the self-life into the happy freedom wherewith Christ hath made His believing ones free, his one absorbing purpose is to love, honor, and obey Him who has redeemed by the Blood of His Son and brought into sweet communion with Himself.

Paul's life was lived unto the Lord. He was a voluntary slave of Jesus Christ. Where ever He led Paul gladly went. If it was to Philippi to be beaten bloody and thrown into prison or be subjected to a stoning party outside of Lystra and left for dead. Paul did not cling to this life when He had eternal life. Death, if he were called upon to die a martyrs death, would only speed him into the presence of the Lord there to be forever. Next we see--

A LIFE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

Paul says in verse 20 of our text, "I am crucified with Christ. . ." The old man with all its fleshly passions and lusts is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed (Rom. 6:6). In the Cross of Christ he sees the whole body of his sinful nature nailed to the tree, and in this he gloried. Galatians 6:14, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Next we see--

A LIFE INDWELT BY CHRIST

It is now, "Not I, but Christ liveth in me." One of the blessed truths of salvation is that Christ lives in us in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is a permanent Guest and works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Next we see--

A LIFE CONTINUED BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD

Verse 20 says, "...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. "

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White