Galatians 2:11-12 When the opinion of people is more important than the opinion of God, it causes problems. John 12:42-43

Galatians 2:11-12 Peter was saying, in effect, that the Law was still in force, that it was necessary to gain eternal life. "Gentiles not welcome...unless they become Jewish converts (and keep the Law!)"

When anyone requires an addition to faith alone, they deny grace. Romans 11:6

What higher moral standard is there than the Law? Jesus explained that His teaching was a fulfillment of the Law.

Works-based gospels exchange the settled relationship of grace by faith for a process. Romans 5:1, 9-10

Peter's actions were serious. What we do matters to others. Galatians 2:13 Peter's actions were serious. They didn't just affect him, all of the Jewish believers fell into sin. What we do matters to others.

Those implications are called, "the truth of the gospel." Galatians 2:14 When we believe in Christ alone for eternal life, it has implications for our lives. Those implications are called, "the truth of the gospel."

Galatians 2:14 It is not uncommon that we ask others to live as we can't, don't, or won't.

Galatians 2:14 Since Peter's sin was public, was affecting others, and he was a leader, it was important for Paul to publicly confront him.

No one can hope to be declared righteous by good works. Galatians 2:15-16 No one can hope to be declared righteous by good works. Romans 3:10-23; 4:4-5

Galatians 2:17 "while" probably = "when"

Galatians 2:17 - Paraphrased "If after we are declared righteous by faith in Christ, if we live as hypocrites, does that indicate that's what this way teaches? Is that what Jesus teaches? Absolutely not!"

Galatians 2:18 "If I reap the benefits of grace and then live like a hypocrite by again embracing the Law, I'm the one who is a hypocrite and stand guilty. It's not God's doing."

The Law brings us to the place of helplessness and the need for faith. Galatians 2:19 The Law brings us to the place of helplessness and the need for faith. Gal. 3:24

All who believe in Christ die to the Law. Galatians 2:19 All who believe in Christ die to the Law. There is no longer an obligation to it. Romans 6:3-4; 7:4-6

All believers have been joined Galatians 2:20 All believers have been joined to Jesus Christ. Eph. 2:6

Galatians 2:20 While vitally joined to the life of Christ, we still live in the flesh. Our growth grows out of that union with Christ as we live by faith in Him.

Believers are declared righteous by faith. Believers grow in righteousness by faith.

The basis of both is the love of Christ. That love was demonstrated at the cross. That love is the basis of our growth, just as it was our justification.

Galatians 2:21 To add anything to grace through faith is to deny grace, the only possible way to be declared righteous and to grow!

Why is this important? If salvation is a process, we cannot know we have eternal life. We don't know we're going to heaven when we die.

Why is this important? If we teach salvation is a process, we take away the assurance others have. They don't know they have Eternal Life.

Why is this important? When we teach salvation as a process we are hypocritical because that is not how we, or anyone else, received it.

When we teach salvation as a process we ruin the basis of growth. Why is this important? When we teach salvation as a process we ruin the basis of growth. We grow in the same manner as which we were justified, by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

We are helpless to earn righteousness. Why is this important? We are helpless to earn righteousness. We are helpless in and of ourselves to grow in righteousness.

We have to die to the Law to have any hope of meeting its demands. Why is this important? We have to die to the Law to have any hope of meeting its demands. Romans 8:3-4

Why is this important? When we act as though we can keep the Law by our outward efforts, we lead others farther from the truth they so desperately need.

We must be careful to never blur grace. Why is this important? We must be careful to never blur grace. Living as though salvation and/or our growth is a matter of simply our efforts makes the death of Christ "in vain".

Christ died to set us free, not to keep us in bondage. Why is this important? Christ died to set us free, not to keep us in bondage. It is only grace alone through faith alone that can bring righteousness...

...only grace through faith. ... not simple commitments, dedications, promises, good intentions, or all the efforts we can make... ...only Christ in us... ...only grace through faith.