Read Galatians Chapter 2
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+2&version=NIV
Paul’s defense of his apostleship continues from chapter 1 with a survey of his relationship with the 12 Apostles. This picks up a theme introduced in 1:1. Paul was commissioned directly by God, not “through” men. Thus, he has always met and dealt with the Twelve as equals rather than as a subordinate!
When Paul went up to Jerusalem to participate in the Acts 15 Jerusalem council, which discussed whether Gentile Christians should be commanded to keep Old Testament Law, Paul stood up for the “truth of the Gospel” of grace (2:1–5). And his position was affirmed by the church’s Jewish “pillars”! They accepted Paul fully and praised his ministry to the Gentiles without modifying his message in any way (vv. 6–10). Later, when Peter himself hesitated to identify himself fully with Gentile converts because he feared the opinion of some Jewish believers, Paul openly rebuked him. Peter’s withdrawal from the Gentiles was inconsistent with the Gospel’s basic principles of justification by faith rather than law. It was not enough for Peter to teach the Gospel. He must practice it (vv. 11–16). Nothing must be allowed to confuse the wonderful truth that the Christian life is Christ alive in us, the true and only source of righteousness (vv. 17–21)
There are two areas that I feel we should take a look at today; verse 16 and 20. What does it mean to be Justified? What does Paul mean when he says “Christ lives in me.?
Justified by faith for me means that we are saved and made righteous through our belief in Christ, that he died for us on the cross and was resurrected from the dead. John Wesley said that “ We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.” Wesley also believe as does the UMC that once we are Justified we must have a life long journey of Sanctification, which is a big part of what we do with “Christ lives in me.”
What does Christ lives in me mean to YOU? Throughout Paul’s letters he also refers as, “in Christ, of Christ, with Christ and through Christ.” How do we live this out in our lives?
Is there a verse in this chapter that speaks to you? Why?
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I believe that "Christ lives in me" means that since I have been justified by faith (saved by Christ who died for me and was resurrected from the dead), that everything that I do is showing Christ to other people because I am living the way Christ wants me to live. At Christ Methodist, we have called this "living the Christyle".
ReplyDeleteI think it is important to remember the Paul's words just before Christ lives in me (it is no longer I who live, but it is...) This implies surrender of our own desires and ways to God's desires and ways. That then allows us to show Christ to the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Doug and Scott both have written. We should all be striving to be the light of Christ and in order to do so we must work toward being more Christlike. I struggle daily with living my life the way God asks me to do but feel so blessed that through studies like this, bible studies, sunday school classes, etc. that I can be held accountable for the way I live my life.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are saved by grace, the values of Christ become ours, the goals of Christ become ours. We are thus able to show the love of Christ to the world by our actions.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the last sentence of Verse 20. "For if we could be saved by keeping Jewish laws, then there was no need for Christ to die." (Living Bible)
Greatinsight from all of you. I have to remember to renew my mind daily with God's word and of his love and grace for each of us. It keeps me focused and cerntainly helps me get more accomplished for him.
ReplyDeleteChrist lives in me. To me this means to be like Jesus. To show my faith through actions. Reading the bible, daily prayer & devotion. With others, to be Christlike & set a christian example. Also to know that we can pray & ask for guidance daily. As well as ask forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteI think the most important message here is to overcome the barriers we have in dealing with others in our lives. Peter was reluctant to mix with the Gentiles (on occasion) - and was rebuked for not living as Christ would want him to. How do we allow barriers to prevent us from interacting with those in our own lives? How often do we see someone who is different from us (different race, different religion, different socio-economic class) and avoid talking to them or interacting with them? I struggle with this in my life too. Also, I think it's easy to reach out to people in certain contexts- like volunteering at the day shelter for the homeless- but much harder to reach out when you are suddenly confronted by a homeless man or woman when you are in the middle of your day. This is something that I've been thinking a lot about lately, and I'm going to try to work on it.
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