Did Christ Die in Vain
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 2:11-21. As we study the Bible, we see in this Scripture in the book of Galatians that Paul and Peter met face-to-face in Antioch. Why was Paul upset with Peter? Peter at one time befriended the Gentiles who came to Christ. When certain Jewish people came around, Peter separated himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of what the Jewish people might think of him. Have you ever treated someone differently when other people were around because you were afraid of what they might think?
Some of the other Jewish people followed Peter’s example and disassociated with the Gentiles as well. Peter knew the Gentiles weren’t required to come under the law. Even Barnabas, who was a trusted friend of Paul, was led astray by Peter’s actions. Paul confronted Peter about the way he was treating the Gentiles. Paul asked Peter, if he was living like the Gentiles why was he trying to make the Gentiles conform to the ways of the Jewish people?
Paul tells them even the Jewish people know that they aren’t justified by the works of the law, but by their faith in Jesus Christ. Nobody, whether Jew or Gentile, can be justified by the works of the law: the only way we can be forgiven of our sins and justified in the sight of God is through our faith in Jesus Christ.
I love Galatians 2:20 where Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Paul is saying that when he became a Christian his old spirit was crucified with Christ. Even though he still lives in his body, now he has a new spirit because Christ lives in him. The life he lives in the flesh he lives by the faith of the Son of God, Jesus, who loved him and died for him.
Paul says that he doesn’t discourage the grace of God: because if we receive our righteousness by obeying the law, then Christ died in vain. God knew that we wouldn’t be able to keep the law, so He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us so we might have a sacrifice for our sins.
It is by the grace of God through our faith in Jesus that we can become Christians. This is best described in Ephesians 2:8-9 which says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Daily Bible Reading:
Galatians 2:11-21
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Things to think about:
- Why was Paul upset with Peter?
- What does it mean to have Christ living in you?
- Is Christ living in you? If not, why?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul defended the Gentiles. He knew that Your plan included the Gentiles. It includes all of us and for that we thank You. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus to die for our sins. Help us who have received Him as our Savior to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. Help those who haven’t yet accepted Him see their need for the Savior. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
– Galatians 2:20
– This is an excerpt from my book:
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia
Click the link above to get your copy now!
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Featured Book:
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia
By Deborah H. Bateman
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.
Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Have a blessed day,
Deborah
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