Dead or Alive?

Read Galatians 2.

The Apostle Paul had been well-trained as a Pharisee.  Zealously, he led in pursuing and persecuting those who failed to obey the Old Testament Law due to their new faith in Christ.  But all of that changed the day he met Jesus.  Paul, then, had to be re-trained in his thinking and his teaching of God's word.  It took time with the help of the Holy Spirit and the confirming work of godly leaders.

As the ministry expanded, some confusion and questions naturally arose.  Peter remained in Israel with a calling to reach Jews for Jesus, while Paul, a Jew, was called to plant churches among the Gentiles.  Added to this were the ever present false teachers who wanted Christians (both Jew and Gentile) to obey the Law.  What was a believing Jew to do concerning the Old Testament Law?  What were Gentiles to do?  After all the Law was/is the word of God.

Peter fell into hypocrisy when he flip-flopped on this issue, depending upon whom he was with at the time (vv.11-15).  But Paul had learned his lesson well.  He boldly confronted Peter and the issue head-on.

Here is the dilemma.
1. If I embrace freedom in Christ, I am violating the Law.  Christ becomes a means of sin against God's word. (vv.15-17)
2. If I try to keep the law after it has been put away, I violate my faith in Christ. (v.18)
Either way I sin.

So, what is a follower of Jesus to do?
Hebrews 7:12, "For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law."  Even more, Paul said, "I died to the law, so that I might live to God."  A dead man has no feeling, no thoughts, no responsibilities, and no accountabilities.

Verse 20 is one of the hallmark verses in all of the Bible.  When one places their personal faith in Jesus, an eternal change happens.  Our old self was what nailed Jesus to the cross in full and final payment for our sin against God.  That personal identification with Jesus gives one a new life, a new beginning.  For the first time that person is able to live in faith's freedom.  Such a change and ability has nothing to do with self-effort of any kind.  It is solely because of "Christ who lives in me."  This new life comes to us by God's grace and His love for us.

Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.  He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24)