01/03/2024: Galatians 2:15-16 – We are not justified before God by our heritage or good works.

Galatians 2:15-16 (NASB)

¹⁵ “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from the Gentiles; ¹⁶ nevertheless, knowing that a person is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

Thought for today – Neither our heritage nor the best we do will justify us before God.

Unlike the Gentiles who did not have the Law as a guide, Paul, as a Jew, had lived all his life under the Law, but he was not justified by is birth or his keeping the Law.  Justification before God is only through faith in Jesus Christ.   Even the very best works of the Law will not bring justification, so both Jews and Gentiles stand before the Lord equally dependent on faith in Jesus Christ.

That’s what the Book says!