Passive Righteousness

Passage: Galatians 2:15-21

Points
1. A person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.
2. We die to the law so that we might live to God.
3. We are crucified with Christ: ". It is no longer I who live, but 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".

Personalize
In our Community Group we have recently been studying the Gospel Centered Life. In our study we have confirmed our understanding of the gospel. We realize that we have a "passive righteousness". What we mean by passive righteousness is that our salvation only comes through the work and person of Jesus Christ. It is only by His active righteousness that we are able to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. It is by "Christ alone and by faith alone" that we receive the gift of salvation and a right relationship with God. As Galatians states: "a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ".

Martin Luther wrote in his Preface to Galatians the following. "This 'passive' righteousness is a mystery that the world cannot understand. Indeed, Christians never completely understand it themselves, and thus do not take advantage of it when they are troubled and tempted. So we have to constantly teach it, repeat it, and work it out in practice. Anyone who does not understand this righteousness or cherish it in the heart and conscience will continually be buffeted by fears and depression. Nothing gives peace like this passive righteousness... So the troubled conscience has no cure for its desperation and feeling of unworthiness unless it takes hold of the forgiveness of sins by grace, offered free of charge in Jesus Christ, which is this passive or Christian righteousness… If I tried to fulfill the law myself, I could not trust in what I had accomplished, neither could it stand up to the judgment of God. So…I rest only upon the righteousness of Christ… which I do not produce but receive, God the Father freely giving it to us through Jesus Christ".

Galatians reminds us that "it is no longer I who lives but Christ lives in me". When we come to the realization that is it not based on my works or abilities, then we will experience great peace. The abundant life Jesus promised comes when we know our salvation and Christian life is solely confirmed and sustained by the work of Christ and not by our works. Our Christian service and life is no longer expressed because "I ought" but because I thank the Lord for the peace and for the wonderful gift of salvation He has given me.

Prayer
May we live our life with the understanding that the work for our salvation has been completed. As you revealed on the cross you said: "it is finished". We know it is finished and now we place our faith solely in you. Help us to walk by faith and receive the peace this walk will bring in our lives.

Created 7 months ago