Why do we treat the Christian faith like every other facet of living? Why do I assume that? The reason is more obvious than we might think. Whether it’s our careers, families, personal health, investments, task lists, schooling, etc., we are conditioned to look for tangible, measurable results. The tendency is to apply a similar metric of evaluation to our walk of faith. The Apostle Paul has been reminding the Galatian churches throughout his letter that their salvation and sanctification are not measured or determined by performance. We are reminded in Galatians 2 that “a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” Our standing before God has never rested on our performance but entirely on Christ’s finished work. Because Jesus has perfectly obeyed, fully satisfied God’s justice, and risen victorious from the grave, those who trust Him are declared righteous before God forever. This frees us from the exhausting burden of trying to earn God’s approval and from the temptation to measure others by standards Christ has not imposed. The cross leaves no room for boasting in ourselves, only grateful confidence in our Savior. The Christian life, then, is not about improving ourselves or others; it is Christ living His life through us. Paul joyfully declares, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Every day we must learn to die to self-reliance and live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. As we behold His grace today, we are transformed by it. May our lives consistently proclaim what our lips confess: that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—and that this glorious gospel changes not only our eternity but the way we love, serve, and proclaim Christ to one another until He returns. –Pastor Nate
Sunday at Liberty
9AM: BTH–Augustine of Hippo–Romans 13:13–14
10AM: Pastor Nate–No Other Righteousness but Christ–Galatians 2:11-21 (sermon notes)
No Evening Gathering