CHRISTIAN JUSTIFICATION - Verse 16 contains the kernel of Christian justification around which the entire book of Galatians coheres: " a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ . . ."

WHAT DOES IT MEAN? -- What does it mean to be "justified?" The word occurs three times in verse 16 alone. According to NIB, "to be justified" is a divine fiat, a God-word that declares someone in right standing or relationship to God, or someone else who has been placed [by another] in right standing with God.

ETYMOLOGY OF JUSTIFICATION - The old news about justification is that it was originally a word commonly bantered around the courts, but later became more associated in eschatological terms. That is, that God will one day, vindicate or 'justify" God's people. [1] The construction here and elsewhere in Paul's writing on justification is primarily in the passive voice: we are acted upon. God will ultimately act to acquit us of guilt and will set right everything that's gone awry.

Do you agree with the argument that the Law is good and wholesome in and of itself, but when attempted to be kept as a way to become justified before God, becomes impotent?

While Luther found the purpose of the law exclusively to bring us to our awareness of sin and the need for Christ (grace), Calvin wasn’t so quick to jettison the law. His third use of the law suggests that even for the Christian community, the Law has more of a function than what Luther believed it had. What is the purpose of the Law in your own faith journey as a Christian?

 

Keeping in mind that summer is a great time to "go off the lectionary" and do a series, you might want to consider Galatians. This passage would, of course, be placed further along the sermon series than the beginning sermon, but theme of faith vis-à-vis Law is a continuing challenge that Paul was very passionate about.

If I were to take this passage on, I would go back to the story that precedes the lesson, where Paul confronts Peter publicly about his hypocrisy-the "do as I say, not as I do" kind of thing. I would show how truly embarrassing this must have been to the leader of the Church-especially by a Johnny-come-lately.

Story told I would freeze the action and walk onto the stage and try to understand what would have caused such a spectacular confrontation. That would bring me to the fundamental question our earliest forbearers faced: what is the relationship between Law and Gospel for those who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

I would look around the church at large for examples of how we’re still stuck in this dilemma, especially when the Law becomes laws and rituals and church board requirements, and rules, or whatever.

Finally, I would move to the freedom that a simple confession in Christ alone as Savior can give people and communities of faith.

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[1] New Interpreter’s Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998), page 237.