After a brief hiatus of a few weeks due to preaching on Famous Last Words (Jesus’ 7 Last Sayings) and the Resurrection, I am returning to Galatians. This week I will be preaching on Galatians 2:15-21. Earlier this week I had a post about the subject I am preaching on this week.  However, this week’s message will be more foundational in discussing the Great Exchange.  Here’s what I mean:

One “rule” of Bible study is divorcing a passage from its context. It would be a big mistake to do that to this passage. It is vitally linked to the previous verses where Paul confronted Peter for his duplicity (hypocrisy). But there is something much deeper in this week’s passage. It runs against the common grain which says man is basically good and capable of pulling himself up by his own bootstraps. As we are want to say: “Good luck with that.”

The Great Exchange takes place when our sinfulness is erased and we “take on” the righteousness of Jesus. We cannot do that on our own…and that is Paul’s point. After trying to live his life by a code of religious conduct, Paul found himself doing a face plant from a horse coming face-to-face with the very ONE he was denying and trying to exterminate. Paul’s adherence to the Law could not save him; he needed Jesus.

Still goes today. No adherence to any moral code, religious code, or code of conduct will do what only Jesus can do. We can’t do it on our own. It needs an “I surrender.”

Appreciate your prayers for Sunday. Thanks.