Galatians 2:15-21 (NRSV)
Read Galatians 2:15-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; Verse 16yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. Verse 17But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! Verse 18But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. Verse 19For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; Verse 20and it is no longer I who live, but it is 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. Verse 21I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
Devotion
Paul is passionate about this message he is proclaiming: Christ is doing a new thing and is inviting us to participate, too. It's bold and exciting news, but what does it look like this summer? How are our vocations, institutions and congregations bearing something new in the midst of old traditions and conflicting loyalties?
I serve a small congregation founded in 1893. There are so many signs of new life at Zion, but sometimes this growth bumps up against tradition or a maintenance attitude. I am encouraged by Paul's message to the Galatians because he is asking us to move beyond constant compromise and minor tweaks; he’s reminding us that we are death and resurrection people, called to the messy work of transformation every single day. When we seek to live in reference to the law we fail every time, but thankfully through God’s promise of life there is no stopping the body of Christ!
Prayer
God of life, your son died for everything that separates us from the promises of your kingdom. Transform our loyalties and compromises with holy courage that dies and rises with Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.