WHAT IS OUR POSITION? Do you remember in our first study in Galatians, we stated that there are some difficult sections in this epistle? We have come to one of them. What can we do with it? Let's read it again and ask the Lord to help our understanding. In this passage it would seem that Paul is still quoting from what he said to Peter at Antioch. In verse 15 he spoke to Peter and the others, "We who are Jews..." Then he said (v.17), "When we Jews come to Christ, we discover that not just the Gentiles are sinners, we Jews are too." All are sinners - everyone is a sinner. In verse 19 Paul points out that the Law tells us that truth - that we, both Jews and Gentiles, are sinners and worthy of death. We have broken the Law of God and are under its condemnation. But Christ has died for us. When a person dies, the Law no longer has any claim on him. The Law cannot punish the same man twice. He is dead to the Law. Now in the case of a Christian, he has died to the Law through Christ's death. But he is also alive through Christ. He is not free from the Law to live any way he wants to, but to "live unto God". Paul says it so plainly in verse 20, "I was crucified with Christ when He died. But I am alive spiritually now as well as physically. Actually it is Christ living in me!" What a wonderful way to live! How many ways can you think of in which we are identified with Christ? 1. We died with Him. 2. We were buried with Him. 3. We rose again with Him. 4. We are seen as if in heaven with Him. 5. We will come again with Him (if we die before He returns). 6. We will reign with Him. What a marvellous gospel! God sees us in Christ as if everything that has happened to Christ or will happen to Christ has also happened or will happen to us. Praise the Lord! Aren't you glad you know Christ? |
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