By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Galatians 2:21 “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

In our ongoing study of the book of Galatians, we previously discussed Chapter 1 which emphasizes the significance of faith in Christ for salvation, confronts legalistic teachings, and encourages believers to embrace freedom through the Holy Spirit rather than being constrained by religious regulations.

In Galatians chapter 2, Paul explains how he received approval from the Apostles and leaders to preach the gospel. They recognized that his teachings were in line with theirs, erasing any differences between them. Paul also asserts the equality of his ministry with that of the apostles. He emphasizes that the same God who commissioned the apostles also commissioned him, highlighting the equal calling they all received. Furthermore, Paul defends the gospel when he confronts Peter and other Apostles. He addresses their behavior, which contradicted the revelation of the gospel of grace. Paul emphasizes that salvation comes through grace and faith in Christ Jesus, regardless of one’s Jewish or Gentile background. In Christ, there is no distinction, and believers are united as one body.

The lesson from Galatians chapter 2 is the need for discernment and aligning teachings with the truth revealed in Scripture. Blindly accepting anything as the gospel is cautioned against. It is important to examine all teachings and actions in light of Scripture, regardless of the source. Placing human authority above God’s Word is to worship humans instead of God. Also, the central focus is on proclaiming the grace of Christ, received through His death and resurrection. The shedding of Jesus’ blood is the only genuine atonement for sins, and without it, forgiveness is not possible. Any alternative atonement or sacrifice for sin is considered false doctrine. The suffering and obedience of Christ unto death fully accomplished atonement, rendering human suffering, sacrifice, or rituals ineffective. Ultimately, salvation is the work of God, not humans. The priority should always be given to the truth of God’s Word.

Galatians 2:14-16 further emphasizes why we must rely on Jesus for salvation. Only He has the power to save through His sacrificial death. The passage questions why we would turn to ineffective means for forgiveness when only Jesus’ blood can cleanse our sins. It highlights that our actions cannot wash away sin; redemption comes solely through Jesus’ blood.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.KJV

In Galatians 2:17-19, Paul refutes the idea that God’s grace leads to sinful behavior. He emphasizes that Christ’s death delivered us from sin, making it illogical to suggest that grace promotes sin. Paul dismisses this viewpoint as ignorant and rooted in a desire to hold onto the outdated law. He renounces reliance on the law in verse 19, recognizing that it cannot wash away sins or provide access to Christ. Instead, he highlights that it is the Holy Spirit who draws people to Christ, not the law. The following scriptures further support and reinforce this argument.

• • John 6;44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:
  • Matt 16:17 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
  • John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
  • Phil 3:9 “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

Paul explained that our bondage to sin was broken through our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection. It is not through obedience to the law, but by receiving a new righteous and holy nature that sin’s power was defeated. This was accomplished by the grace of our Lord Jesus while we were still sinners. Paul affirms this truth in verses 20-21, highlighting our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection, as described in Romans 6:6-7. We are now dead to the power of sin and alive in Christ. We have been empowered to resist the pull of sin because Christ in us is greater than the fleshly desires. We are no longer slaves to sin but are reigning with Christ in this life. Through His power, we can accomplish all things, and we are led by the Holy Spirit, our life coach. These are the benefits we enjoy under the grace of Christ. Sin no longer has dominion over us because we are under the works of grace accomplished by Jesus, not under the law that strengthens sin.

Rom 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

These are the benefits we enjoy under grace:

• Forgiveness of sins: Our sins are completely forgiven through the atonement of Jesus.
• Freedom from sin’s slavery: We are no longer bound by the power of sin.
• New nature and new life: Our old sinful nature is replaced with a new nature in Christ.
• Acceptance by God: Through Jesus’ atonement, we are counted as righteous and accepted by God when we believe in Him.
• Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit of the Lord lives in us, providing strength, guidance, and revealing the things of God to us for a life of godliness.
• And much more: These benefits and blessings extend beyond what can be fully enumerated.

1 Cor 15:56 says that “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.”

So, under the law,  we do not experience the full benefits of God’s grace. Instead, the law amplifies the control and power of sin in our lives. This includes the dangerous traps of self-righteousness and denial, as the focus is on external appearances rather than the condition of our hearts. It is akin to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, whose outward display appeared righteous but inwardly led to spiritual death. This highlights that works done under the law are unable to bring true life and salvation. In contrast, freedom, new life, and salvation are received by grace alone through faith, not by adhering to the law.

Romans 6:13-14 “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Therefore, do not let sin control the way you live, instead let us live with the awareness that we are no longer bound by the law, but instead, we dwell in the abundant blessings of grace. This reality empowers us and allows us to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.