By: Robert Serreyn
Question? Can you Sir explain Galatians 2:17?
Galatians 2:17 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.
Answer:
The answer can be found in V16 of the same Chapter, which states…
Galatians 2:16 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.
To put it simply what the Apostle Paul is saying in V17 if we try to be Justified (saved or uptain eternal life) by Christ PLUS our works (Law) then we are STILL UNSAVED (found sinners) because as V16 states at the beginning Knowing that a man is NOT JUSTIFIED by the works of the law.
Romans 11:6 put it this way…
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
The Word of God simply states that we are either saved BY our works or By Grace period it is NOT BY both, it is either one or the other and the scriptures DECLARE that every person is SAVED BY GRACE by PERSONALLY believing that the Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross to Die, shed his blood, and resurrect from the dead three days later as the complete payment for their sins.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 4:5-6 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (6) Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.
IN CONCLUSION:
To add anything to the Gospel NO MATTER how small or commendable it may be is turn it into a FALSE GOSPEL and rejected by the Lord.
Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The Word of God simply states that all we have to do to recieve eternal life is to…
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. – Acts 16:31
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH