Who we are “In Christ”: “Co-Crucified” – Galatians 2:15-21

1. Who we are “In Christ”:“Co-Crucified” –Galatians 2:15-21 Forest Hills Bible Chapel 25 November 2007

2. Some Background to Galatians • Between Paul’s founding of the churches of Galatia, and the writing of Galatians, the church as been infiltrated by “Judaizers.” • Judaizers – folks who preached faith in Christ plus… • For the Judaizers, it was faith in Christ, plus observance of the Law of Moses – circumcision, Sabbath-keeping, observing of the Levitical dietary laws, etc.

3. Some Background to Galatians • While Paul was in Galatia, Peter came for a visit as well – Galatians 2:11ff. • Initially, Peter had table fellowship with the Gentile Christians in Galatia. • But after a party of Jewish Christians from James arrived (2:12), Peter withdrew and ate only “kosher” food with the Jewish Christians in Galatia. • Paul then confronted Peter openly in front of everyone – 2:14ff.

4. Galatians 2:15-21 15 “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

5. Galatians 2:15-21 17 “If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.

6. Galatians 2:15-21 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

7. “Co-Crucified” • There is absolutely nothing we can do to save ourselves – not even keeping the Law of Moses! 2:15-16 • This raises the question – Why did God give the Law of Moses to the people of Israel? (See Galatians 3:19)

8. A Little Biblical History • The Exodus – Exodus 12:31-14:31

9. A Little Biblical History • The Giving of the Law at Sinai – Ex. 19ff.

10. A Little Biblical History • The Law of Moses was not given to Israel as a means by which they could become God’s people. • The Law of Moses was given to Israel because they already were God’s people – at least those who had placed their faith in God’s redemptive work. 2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. – Hebrews 4:2

11. A Little Theology

12. A Little Theology • I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. – Galatians 2:20 • In the 1930’s, there was a sharp division between the Fundamentalists and the Modernists. • The Modernists wanted to bring a “modern” understanding to the old statements of Scripture. • The Fundamentalists wanted to hold onto the “fundamentals” of the faith.

13. A Little Theology • Sometimes, the term “Fundamentalist” is a good thing – it asserts that there are certain “fundamentals” or foundational truths, without which we do not have biblical Christianity. • These included the inspiration of the Bible, the Deity of Christ, the bodily resurrection, and the Substitutionary Atonement. • That is, the death of Jesus was a substitute for my death – Jesus died for me, or for us.

14. A Little Theology • But Paul gives us a little different take on the atonement. • Paul teaches not a substitutionary atonement, but a participatory atonement. • “I have been crucified with Christ…” • I don’t ever have to worry about whether or not the Lord will expect me to pay for my sins, because in Christ, I already have! • Insert “Amen” here! 

15. A Little Greek • New Testament Greek is somewhat different from English in many ways. • There are 3 different ways that Greek communicates the “past tense.” • The imperfect tense – which describes action in the past that is depicted as “continuous action” – “Jesus was preaching.” • The aorist tense – which describes completed action usually occurring in the past – “Jesus preached.”

16. A Little Greek • The perfect tense – this tense describes action that occurred in the past, but which has abiding results into the present and beyond. • Examples: • Aorist tense: “I ate lunch.” • Perfect tense: “I got married.” • Marriage: past tense action (April 29, 1978) with abiding results! 

17. A Little Greek • Paul is saying, “I have been crucified with Christ” – meaning that God reckons me as having been crucified with Christ, and that “co-crucifixion” continues into the present and beyond. • I died to my old, sinful self. • I now live a new life, in Christ – that is, Christ lives in me. • From God’s perspective, my life and the life of Christ are intertwined, and indistinguishable.

18. A Little Chorus I am crucified with Christ. Therefore I no longer live. Jesus Christ now lives in me. I am crucified with Christ. Therefore I no longer live. Jesus Christ now lives in me.