Justified by Faith in Christ and Not by the Works of the Law
--- title: "Justified by Faith in Christ and Not by the Works of the Law" date: series: "Sermons 2001 Rewritten" text: "Galatians 2:16" speaker: Ed Rangel location: Waupaca Church of Christ bibleversion: NASB 1995 type: Expository status: draft tags:
sermon
sermons-2001-rewritten
galatians
justification
faith
law-of-moses
baptism
cssclasses:
tpt-sermon
tpt-sermon-outline
tpt-mode-outline
---
Justified by Faith in Christ and Not by the Works of the Law
Learning Objectives
Explain the background of Galatians and why Paul wrote with such urgency.
Identify the “works of the Law” in Galatians as the works of the Law of Moses, not obedient faith under Christ.
Show that justification is found in Christ through faith, not through the Mosaic system.
Distinguish biblical faith from faith-only error.
Defend baptism as part of obedient faith, not a work of the Law.
Call hearers to trust and obey Christ rather than human religious systems.
Thesis
A sinner is justified through faith in Christ, not by the works of the Law of Moses, and that faith is not dead belief but obedient trust that comes to Christ on His terms.
Galatians has been badly abused. Some grab Paul’s words about justification by faith and use them to erase baptism, repentance, obedience, and the Lordship of Christ. That is not what Paul is doing. Paul is not fighting obedient faith. He is fighting the idea that a man can be made right with God by going back under the Law of Moses. The same apostle who said we are justified by faith also said, “All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27). We must let Paul speak for Paul.
Introduction.
Paul had preached the gospel in Galatia.
Churches were established.
People had obeyed the gospel.
They had been delivered by Christ from this present evil age.
Galatians 1:4 says Christ “gave Himself for our sins.”
The foundation of salvation is the sacrifice of Christ.
No sinner saves himself.
No sinner earns redemption.
After Paul left, Judaizing teachers troubled the churches.
They questioned Paul’s apostleship.
They perverted the gospel.
They pressed Gentiles toward the Law of Moses.
They taught a system that made Christ’s death empty.
Paul’s tone is sharp because the danger is real.
Galatians 1:6 says they were quickly deserting Him who called them.
Galatians 5:7 asks, “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?”
Galatians 5:9 warns that a little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Galatians 2:16 is central.
A man is not justified by works of the Law.
A man is justified through faith in Christ Jesus.
By works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
The issue must be handled carefully.
Paul is not condemning obedience to Christ.
Paul is not teaching faith-only salvation.
Paul is not saying baptism is unnecessary.
Paul is saying the Law of Moses cannot justify.
I. Paul Is Refuting Justification by the Law of Moses.
The false teachers were dragging Christians toward the Mosaic system.
Galatians 2:16 speaks of “works of the Law.”
The context identifies that Law.
It is not the law of Christ.
It is not the gospel.
It is the Law connected with circumcision, Jewish identity, and the old covenant.
Galatians 5:2–3 makes the issue plain.
If they received circumcision, Christ would be of no benefit to them.
Every man who receives circumcision is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
Circumcision here is not a medical procedure; it is submission to the Mosaic covenant system.
Galatians 4:21 asks, “Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?”
Paul is addressing people tempted to place themselves under the Law.
He is not rebuking people for obeying Christ.
He is rebuking a return to bondage.
Paul himself had left that old way behind.
Galatians 1:13–14 describes Paul’s former life in Judaism.
He persecuted the church of God.
He tried to destroy it.
He advanced in Judaism beyond many of his contemporaries.
He was extremely zealous for ancestral traditions.
Paul’s former system could not save him.
He had zeal.
He had tradition.
He had religious heritage.
He did not have justification in Christ.
Galatians 2:18–19 says Paul would be a transgressor if he rebuilt what he destroyed.
He had died to the Law.
He now lived to God.
He would not go back and rebuild the old covenant system.
The cross ended Paul’s confidence in the Law.
Galatians 2:20 says he had been crucified with Christ.
His life was now lived by faith in the Son of God.
The Son of God loved him and gave Himself for him.
If righteousness comes through the Law, Christ died needlessly.
Galatians 2:21 is devastating.
“I do not nullify the grace of God.”
“If righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
That is the logical end of the false doctrine.
If Moses can justify, Christ did not need to die.
If circumcision and Law-keeping can make men righteous, Calvary becomes unnecessary.
Paul will not tolerate a doctrine that empties the cross.
The Law had a purpose, but it was not final justification.
Galatians 3:19 says the Law was added because of transgressions.
It was until the seed would come.
The seed is Christ.
Galatians 3:24–25 says the Law was a tutor to lead to Christ.
It pointed forward.
It guarded and exposed.
It did not replace Christ.
Once faith came, God’s people were no longer under that tutor.
II. Justification Is Through Faith in Christ.
Galatians 2:16 repeats the point with force.
Paul says a man is not justified by works of the Law.
Not once.
Not twice.
Three times the idea is pressed in the verse.
Justification is through faith in Christ Jesus.
The object of faith is Christ.
The ground of salvation is Christ.
The hope of the sinner is Christ.
No flesh will be justified by works of the Law.
Jew cannot be justified that way.
Gentile cannot be justified that way.
Paul cannot be justified that way.
Peter cannot be justified that way.
Faith means trust in Christ, not confidence in self.
Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as assurance and conviction.
Faith trusts what God says.
Faith rests on what God has revealed.
Faith acts because God has spoken.
Biblical faith is not bare mental agreement.
Demons believe facts about God.
Many people admire Jesus.
But saving faith submits to Christ.
Galatians 2:20 shows the personal nature of faith.
Paul says Christ loved him.
Christ gave Himself for him.
Paul now lives by faith in the Son of God.
Faith in Christ means abandoning every rival foundation.
Not Moses as a saving system.
Not circumcision.
Not human tradition.
Not denominational creed.
Not personal merit.
Christ.
Paul’s doctrine of faith cannot be twisted into faith-only salvation.
Some quote Galatians 2:16 and then deny baptism.
That is mishandling Paul.
Paul is not contrasting faith with baptism.
Paul is contrasting faith in Christ with works of the Law.
Galatians 3:26–27 settles the matter.
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Paul does not place baptism outside faith.
He connects sonship through faith with baptism into Christ.
Baptism is the point at which one is clothed with Christ.
Baptism is not a Mosaic work.
Baptism is obedience to the gospel.
The same apostle who rejected justification by the Law taught baptism into Christ.
Romans 6:3–4 says we are baptized into Christ’s death.
Galatians 3:27 says we are baptized into Christ.
Paul did not preach salvation before obedience.
Faith-only doctrine is not Paul’s doctrine.
Faith saves when faith obeys.
Faith does not earn salvation.
Faith submits to the Savior.
III. The Law of Moses Could Not Do What Christ Does.
The Law exposed sin but could not provide final justification.
Galatians 3:21 says if a law had been given that could impart life, righteousness would indeed have been based on law.
The Law was not evil.
The Law was not a mistake.
But the Law could not give the life Christ gives.
Galatians 3:22 says Scripture shut up all under sin.
The Law exposed guilt.
It did not make sinners sinless.
It pointed to the promise by faith in Jesus Christ.
The problem was not that the Law failed in its purpose.
The problem was men trying to make the Law do what only Christ could do.
The Law was a tutor.
Christ is the Savior.
The Law separated Jew and Gentile; Christ makes one body.
Galatians 3:28 says there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female.
All are one in Christ Jesus.
This does not erase created distinctions.
It declares equal standing in Christ.
The Judaizers were rebuilding walls Christ had torn down.
They wanted Gentiles marked by circumcision.
They treated the Law as necessary for full standing.
They made old covenant identity compete with Christ.
Christ is sufficient.
Not Christ plus circumcision.
Not Christ plus Moses.
Not Christ plus human tradition.
Christ as Lord, Savior, and King.
The gospel gives what the Law could not give.
The gospel gives redemption through Christ’s blood.
Galatians 1:4 says He gave Himself for our sins.
Galatians 2:20 says He loved us and gave Himself for us.
The gospel gives sonship in Christ.
Galatians 3:26 says sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27 shows baptism into Christ as the clothing of that relationship.
The gospel gives freedom.
Galatians 5:1 says Christ set us free.
This freedom is not permission to sin.
It is freedom from the old bondage and from condemnation outside Christ.
The gospel gives a new rule of life.
Galatians 6:2 speaks of the law of Christ.
Christians are not lawless.
We are not under Moses, but we are under Christ.
IV. Faith in Christ Must Remain Obedient and Faithful.
Paul asks, “Who hindered you from obeying the truth?”
Galatians 5:7 matters to the argument.
They were running well.
Someone hindered them.
Paul calls the Christian life obedience to the truth.
Paul did not separate faith from obedience.
To abandon the gospel was disobedience.
To accept the Judaizers was disobedience.
To remain in Christ required standing firm.
Faith must keep listening to Christ.
It must reject false gospels.
It must reject religious pressure.
It must reject human systems that compete with Christ.
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Galatians 5:9 warns against tolerating doctrinal corruption.
False teaching spreads.
It does not remain contained.
It affects the whole church.
The doctrine of justification is not a minor matter.
Get this wrong, and the cross is distorted.
Get this wrong, and baptism is mishandled.
Get this wrong, and obedience is either denied or turned into legalism.
The church must guard the gospel carefully.
Not with panic.
Not with bitterness.
With truth, clarity, and courage.
Christians can fall from grace.
Galatians 5:4 warns that some had been severed from Christ.
They were seeking to be justified by law.
They had fallen from grace.
Paul’s warning is real.
This destroys unconditional security.
Paul is writing to Christians.
He warns them of real spiritual danger.
A Christian can abandon grace by turning from Christ’s gospel.
The answer is not fear-driven religion.
Stand firm in Christ.
Trust His sacrifice.
Refuse false doctrine.
Walk by the Spirit.
Obey the truth.
Faith works through love.
Galatians 5:6 says neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
Faith is active.
Faith works.
Faith is moved by love.
This is not works of the Law.
This is not earning salvation.
This is the living faith God requires.
The faith that refuses to obey Christ is not the faith Paul preached.
Biblical faith obeys without boasting.
Noah obeyed by faith.
Abraham obeyed by faith.
Galatians calls Christians to faith in Christ that lives under Christ.
Application.
For the one confused by “faith versus works.”
Paul is not saying obedience to Christ is unnecessary.
He is saying the Law of Moses cannot justify.
Do not let faith-only teachers make Paul contradict himself.
For the one tempted by tradition.
The Jews had ancestral tradition, zeal, and history.
None of it could replace Christ.
Your religious heritage cannot justify you either.
For the church.
Guard the gospel.
Do not tolerate a doctrine that empties the cross.
Do not tolerate a doctrine that removes baptism from faith.
Do not tolerate a doctrine that makes Christians lawless.
For preachers and teachers.
Be precise with Galatians.
Do not use “works of the Law” as though it means every act of obedience.
Do not help denominational error by sloppy preaching.
For the next generation.
Teach children the difference between legalism and obedience.
Legalism trusts human merit or unauthorized systems.
Obedience trusts Christ enough to do what He says.
If we do not teach that clearly, they will either become legalists or rebels.
Conclusion.
Galatians 2:16 does not weaken obedience.
It exalts Christ.
It rejects the Law of Moses as a system of justification.
It places the sinner’s hope in the Son of God.
Paul did not nullify grace.
The Judaizers did.
A doctrine that makes righteousness come through the Law makes Christ’s death needless.
Paul did not preach faith only.
He preached faith in Christ.
He preached baptism into Christ.
He preached standing firm in Christ.
He preached faith working through love.
A sinner is justified by faith in Christ.
Not by Moses.
Not by circumcision.
Not by tradition.
Not by human merit.
Not by denominational invention.
The question is whether your faith is actually in Christ.
If it is, you will stop arguing with His terms.
You will trust His blood.
You will obey His gospel.
You will live under His authority.
Plan of Salvation
Hear the word.
Faith comes from hearing the word of Christ.
No one can believe a gospel he has not heard.
Reference: Romans 10:17.
Believe Christ.
The sinner must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Faith is not confidence in self, tradition, or Law, but in Christ.
Reference: John 8:24.
Repent.
Repentance turns the sinner away from sin and self-rule.
God commands all people everywhere to repent.
Reference: Acts 17:30.
Confess Christ.
Faith must confess Christ openly.
The sinner must confess Him as Lord.
Reference: Romans 10:9–10.
Be baptized for the remission of sins.
The sinner must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
Baptism is not a work of the Law of Moses.
Baptism is gospel obedience and the point at which Scripture says one is baptized into Christ and clothed with Christ.
References: Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21.
Live faithfully.
The Christian must stand firm in grace and not return to false systems.
Faith must keep working through love.
The Lord calls His people to faithfulness until death.
Reference: Revelation 2:10.
Word Study.
| Word | Original | Meaning | Use in Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justified | δικαιόω / dikaioō | To declare righteous, make right, acquit. | Paul says no flesh is justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ. |
| Faith | πίστις / pistis | Faith, trust, conviction, fidelity. | Faith is directed toward Christ and submits to Him. |
| Works | ἔργα / erga | Works, deeds, actions. | In Galatians 2:16, works are tied to the Law of Moses. |
| Law | νόμος / nomos | Law. | Context identifies the Law as the Mosaic system, especially seen in circumcision. |
| Grace | χάρις / charis | Grace, favor. | Paul refuses to nullify God’s grace by seeking righteousness through the Law. |
| Circumcision | περιτομή / peritomē | Circumcision. | In Galatians, circumcision represents submission to the Mosaic covenant system. |
| Freedom | ἐλευθερία / eleutheria | Freedom, liberty. | Christ freed believers from the old bondage, not from obedience to Him. |
|---|---|---|---| | Justified | δικαιόω / dikaioō | To declare righteous, make right, acquit. | Paul says no flesh is justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ. | | Faith | πίστις / pistis | Faith, trust, conviction, fidelity. | Faith is directed toward Christ and submits to Him. | | Works | ἔργα / erga | Works, deeds, actions. | In Galatians 2:16, works are tied to the Law of Moses. | | Law | νόμος / nomos | Law. | Context identifies the Law as the Mosaic system, especially seen in circumcision. | | Grace | χάρις / charis | Grace, favor. | Paul refuses to nullify God’s grace by seeking righteousness through the Law. | | Circumcision | περιτομή / peritomē | Circumcision. | In Galatians, circumcision represents submission to the Mosaic covenant system. | | Freedom | ἐλευθερία / eleutheria | Freedom, liberty. | Christ freed believers from the old bondage, not from obedience to Him. |
Scripture Interlock Table.
| Testament | Reference | Original Context | Connection to Main Text | Doctrinal Use | Sermon / Teaching Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Testament | Galatians 2:16 | Paul states that a man is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ. | Main text. | Establishes justification in Christ rather than the Law of Moses. | Governs the sermon. |
| New Testament | Galatians 1:6–12 | Paul rebukes the Galatians for deserting to a different gospel and defends the divine source of his gospel. | Shows the seriousness of the Galatian error. | Guards the exclusivity of the gospel. | Supports Introduction. |
| New Testament | Galatians 1:13–14 | Paul describes his former life in Judaism and zeal for ancestral traditions. | Shows what Paul had left behind. | Demonstrates that religious zeal without Christ cannot justify. | Supports Point I. |
| New Testament | Galatians 2:20–21 | Paul says he was crucified with Christ and refuses to nullify grace. | Shows the cross-centered basis of justification. | Refutes righteousness through the Law. | Supports Point I. |
| New Testament | Galatians 3:19–29 | Paul explains the purpose of the Law and sonship through faith, including baptism into Christ. | Clarifies that the Law was a tutor and that baptism belongs to faith in Christ. | Refutes both Mosaic justification and faith-only misuse. | Supports Points I–II. |
| New Testament | Galatians 5:1–6 | Paul warns against circumcision as submission to the Law and speaks of faith working through love. | Identifies the Law issue and shows active faith. | Refutes legalism and dead faith. | Supports Point IV. |
| New Testament | Galatians 5:7–10 | Paul says the Galatians were hindered from obeying the truth. | Shows the Christian life involves obedience to truth. | Refutes the idea that faith excludes obedience. | Supports Point IV. |
| New Testament | Galatians 5:4 | Paul says those seeking justification by law have fallen from grace. | Shows the danger of leaving Christ for law-based justification. | Supports conditional security. | Supports Point IV. |
| New Testament | Romans 3:28 | Paul says a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. | Parallels Galatians 2:16. | Shows Paul’s consistent doctrine against Mosaic justification. | Supports Point II. |
| New Testament | Romans 6:3–4 | Baptized believers are baptized into Christ’s death and raised to walk in newness of life. | Shows baptism is union with Christ, not a work of Moses. | Supports obedient faith and new life. | Supports Plan of Salvation. |
| New Testament | James 2:14–26 | James teaches that faith without works is dead. | Balances false misuse of Paul. | Shows living faith obeys and acts. | Supports Point II and Application. |
| New Testament | Acts 2:38 | Peter commands repentance and baptism for remission of sins. | Shows gospel response under Christ. | Supports baptism as required gospel obedience. | Supports Plan of Salvation. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---| | New Testament | Galatians 2:16 | Paul states that a man is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ. | Main text. | Establishes justification in Christ rather than the Law of Moses. | Governs the sermon. | | New Testament | Galatians 1:6–12 | Paul rebukes the Galatians for deserting to a different gospel and defends the divine source of his gospel. | Shows the seriousness of the Galatian error. | Guards the exclusivity of the gospel. | Supports Introduction. | | New Testament | Galatians 1:13–14 | Paul describes his former life in Judaism and zeal for ancestral traditions. | Shows what Paul had left behind. | Demonstrates that religious zeal without Christ cannot justify. | Supports Point I. | | New Testament | Galatians 2:20–21 | Paul says he was crucified with Christ and refuses to nullify grace. | Shows the cross-centered basis of justification. | Refutes righteousness through the Law. | Supports Point I. | | New Testament | Galatians 3:19–29 | Paul explains the purpose of the Law and sonship through faith, including baptism into Christ. | Clarifies that the Law was a tutor and that baptism belongs to faith in Christ. | Refutes both Mosaic justification and faith-only misuse. | Supports Points I–II. | | New Testament | Galatians 5:1–6 | Paul warns against circumcision as submission to the Law and speaks of faith working through love. | Identifies the Law issue and shows active faith. | Refutes legalism and dead faith. | Supports Point IV. | | New Testament | Galatians 5:7–10 | Paul says the Galatians were hindered from obeying the truth. | Shows the Christian life involves obedience to truth. | Refutes the idea that faith excludes obedience. | Supports Point IV. | | New Testament | Galatians 5:4 | Paul says those seeking justification by law have fallen from grace. | Shows the danger of leaving Christ for law-based justification. | Supports conditional security. | Supports Point IV. | | New Testament | Romans 3:28 | Paul says a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. | Parallels Galatians 2:16. | Shows Paul’s consistent doctrine against Mosaic justification. | Supports Point II. | | New Testament | Romans 6:3–4 | Baptized believers are baptized into Christ’s death and raised to walk in newness of life. | Shows baptism is union with Christ, not a work of Moses. | Supports obedient faith and new life. | Supports Plan of Salvation. | | New Testament | James 2:14–26 | James teaches that faith without works is dead. | Balances false misuse of Paul. | Shows living faith obeys and acts. | Supports Point II and Application. | | New Testament | Acts 2:38 | Peter commands repentance and baptism for remission of sins. | Shows gospel response under Christ. | Supports baptism as required gospel obedience. | Supports Plan of Salvation. |
Invitation.
Hear the word.
Romans 10:17 says faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Believe Christ.
John 8:24 warns that unless you believe that Jesus is He, you will die in your sins.
Repent.
Acts 17:30 says God commands all people everywhere to repent.
Confess Christ.
Romans 10:9–10 teaches confession with the mouth and belief in the heart.
Be baptized for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38 commands repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
Live faithfully.
Revelation 2:10 calls the Christian to be faithful until death.
