Monday Morning Rewind: “Justified by Faith” – Galatians 1:11–2:21
Have you ever been confidently wrong?
Last week I told a few stories about being certain I was right… and then realizing I was way off. (Let’s just say, my entire sleep schedule was built on a lie about the snooze button.)
It’s funny when it’s about song lyrics or coffee facts — but not so funny when it comes to our faith.
In Galatians 2, Paul shows us how easy it is for even strong believers — even apostles — to start adding things to the gospel.
Paul reminds the Galatians (and us) that the good news he preached didn’t come from human opinion or religious tradition. It came straight from Jesus Himself. That revelation transformed Paul from a persecutor into a preacher, from self-righteous to grace-dependent.
When Paul met with the other apostles, they didn’t correct him — they confirmed that his message was true. Grace was the heart of the gospel. Titus, a Gentile believer, wasn’t forced to be circumcised because faith in Jesus was enough.
But when Peter (Cephas) later pulled back from eating with Gentile believers out of fear of criticism, Paul confronted him publicly. Why? Because Peter’s actions contradicted the gospel he preached. The truth of the gospel isn’t just about what we say — it’s about how we live in community with one another.
Then Paul gives one of the most powerful statements in all of Scripture:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
— Galatians 2:20
That’s the heartbeat of the Christian life.
Not striving to prove ourselves.
Not earning God’s favor through good behavior.
But living each day in the freedom and confidence that we’ve already been made right with God — by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone.
So if you find yourself this week trying to “earn” what’s already been given… take a breath. Remember who lives in you.
Let’s walk by faith — not fear — and let grace do what only grace can do.
Pastor Donnie
Reflection for the week:
- Where have you been tempted to add something to grace?
- How can you remind yourself (and others) that faith in Jesus really is enough?
- Who in your life needs to experience the freedom that comes from being justified by faith?