QT 30 Sep 16, Gal 2:17-21, The Gospel frees us from performance

Galatians 2:17–21 (ESV) — 17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 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 flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

NOTE: I can't be justified in any way by the observance of the law. It is contrary to a life of faith. There may be good things in the law to observe, but if I believe I am obtaining God's favor (a form of justification) by doing them, then I am deluding myself. My salvation is entirely based on the finished work of Jesus Christ. I CAN NOT ADD anything to what Jesus had done for me in relationship to my position before God. I think this is very hard for me to internalize, which is why I capitalized the letters. I do realize that if I could internalize it better, there is a great heaviness that lifts off of my shoulders. I feel it when I meditate on the concept more. It is quite natural to feel the need to earn a person's favor, maybe because it is so easy to earn a person's disfavor. But the burden-lifting joyful message of the gospel is--it is done--God says I'm good.