Wow - this one is for the Theologians!!! Many a "group" or "denomination" has split hairs, so to speak, on this chapter. But as I read it and also read some commentaries, it really is very simple. We humans in our human nature, want to make it difficult. Why do we always think a rule is better than letting people be placed under the hand of God???? I think we just like to control and God's way is to let us "choose" Him not be forced to serve Him.
Paul saw Peter as a hypocrite because he did one thing in front of the Gentiles and another in front of the Jews - wow, I know I have done that too. Like watch an R rated movie at home but tell other people I don't watch R rated movies!!!! When what I should be doing it not watching them at all. Right???? Well, I'm glad you aren't my judge - but my conscience is and that is God in my life. Lord help me to listen to that little voice closer than ever before!
That's why verses 20 thru 21 are the ones I have underlined in my Bible and I have memorized!!!
"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die." Wow - these verses give me a reason to live for Him and to be transparent with my life before others.
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“For when I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God’s approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ. I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” (vs. 19-20 NLT)
I am so thankful that God loved me and gave His son Jesus to pay the penalty for my sin. I do not have to earn God’s approval. He loves me unconditionally!!! Because I have been crucified with Christ, I have been raised with Him and the Spirit of God lives in me, conforming me to His image. So I choose to live each day by faith that my sinful nature will not rule but rather that I will be led by the Spirit of God. When the ugly flesh trips me up, I run to Jesus and repent and allow the blood of Jesus to wash me white as snow. Without Jesus in my life, I have no life or hope for the future.
I also love Romans 8:11 (NLT), which goes along with Galatians 2:19-20, “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you (me). And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you (me).” The Holy Spirit of God, the anointing of God, lives in us/me, not only to bring life to our mortal bodies, but to help us live out Galatians 2:19-20!
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