This week, before moving on to chapter 3 of Galatians, we
will spend some time feasting on some leftovers from chapter 2 – specifically
Galatians 2:17-21.
This is a sermon I’m inserting into our series, “The
Rescue”, not out of a concern raised by others, but out of a concern that
arises within me. The simple truth is Galatians 2 is the heart of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ where Paul sets out in an economy of words the essence of our
justification and sanctification. It’s all here; and yet, as we get into
chapter 3 we will see Paul focusing on our sanctification as a direct result of
our justification.
Here’s the issue that biblical justification always raises:
If my standing with God, my acceptance and identity is fixed by the finished
work of Christ – where does obedience come in? Why can’t I just live any way I
want to, without regard for the law of God? That’s the question Paul answers at
the beginning of Romans 6. The truth is; it’s the question that justification
by faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone, always elicits. And while
Galatians 3 details the answers, Galatians 2:17-21 establishes the foundation
for the answer.
Walking in step (orthopedeo)
with the truth of the Gospel means avoiding two errors that lurk on either side
of the Gospel – legalism and lovism (or antinomianism).
In preparation for Sunday’s message, “Serious Security”, I’d
like to cite a hymn written nearly 250 years ago by a man named William Cowper.
The hymn’s title is “Love Constraining to Obedience.” It goes like this:
Chorus: To see the Law by Christ fulfilled,
To hear His pardoning voice,
Changes a slave into a child
And duty into choice.
To hear His pardoning voice,
Changes a slave into a child
And duty into choice.
No strength of nature can suffice
To serve the Lord aright
And what she has, she misapplies,
For want of clearer light.(Repeat chorus)
To serve the Lord aright
And what she has, she misapplies,
For want of clearer light.(Repeat chorus)
How long beneath the Law I lay
In bondage and distress
I toiled the precept to obey,
But toiled without success.(Repeat chorus)
In bondage and distress
I toiled the precept to obey,
But toiled without success.(Repeat chorus)
Then to abstain from outward sin
Was more than I could do
Now if I feel its power within
I feel I hate it too.(Repeat chorus)
Was more than I could do
Now if I feel its power within
I feel I hate it too.(Repeat chorus)
Then all my servile works were done,
A righteousness to raise
Now, freely chosen in the Son,
I freely choose His ways.
A righteousness to raise
Now, freely chosen in the Son,
I freely choose His ways.
What shall I do was then the word,
That I may worthier grow?
What shall I render to the Lord?
Is my inquiry now.
William Cowper (1731-1800) had a sad life. His mother died
when he was 6. At the same time, he was sent to a boarding school where he was
bullied and beaten.
Later in life he fell in love with his cousin, but her
father didn’t approve of the relationship and neither he nor her cousin ever
married.
He studied law and earned the position of special counsel of
Parliament, but he became so stressed by the assignment that he nearly
attempted suicide. As a means of coming to grips with his raging depression he
was institutionalized for a time in a private asylum.
After a time he moved to Olney, England, where his pastor
was none other than John Newton, the former slave trader and author of Amazing Grace and scores of other hymns.
(On Newton’s tombstone in Olney is the following inscription: “John Newton,
clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slavers in Africa, was, by
the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored,
pardoned, and appointed to preach the Faith he had long labored to destroy.”)
Newton soon became alarmed over Cowper’s sadness and depression so he suggested
that they work together on writing hymns that illustrated Newton’s sermons.
Immediately, Newton discovered Cowper’s extraordinary talent for poetry,
imagination, and grasp of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In many of the hymns
Newton wrote, Cowper made significant contributions. What’s more, William
Cowper wrote many hymns of his own that were complied, along with Newton’s, to
form several Olney Hymnals.
Interestingly, as he neared death, Cowper became
increasingly convinced that he had been predestined to damnation. All
confidence of his justification faded as doubts assailed him. In 1800, as
discouraged and depressed as ever, he died of heart failure.
Someone has said of Cowper, “It always fascinates to read of
a man like Cowper, who is so gifted in writing poetry and composing hymns that
uphold the wonderful doctrines of the Christian faith, and yet, struggle so
deeply to live them out. However delightful heaven must be for him as he basks
in the freedom, acceptance, and love of Christ with no depression or darkness
to haunt him.”
In preparation for Sunday’s message, “Serious Security”, you
may wish to consider the following:
- How do you define legalism?
- How is legalism anti-Gospel?
- How do you define antinomianism?
- How is it anti-Gospel?
- How would you define a Christian?
- How does Paul define a Christian?
- Why is our identity in Christ the necessary ingredient for true obedience?
- How is living as a justified sinner more demanding and far-reaching than living by the law?
- Someone has said, “The Gospel goes where the rules don’t.” Do you believe that is true?
- What does Paul mean in verse 20 when he says that “Christ lives in me”?
