Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Galatians 2 starts with Paul telling the churches that 14 years later (either after his conversion or his first visit to Jerusalem) he went back to Jerusalem to meet with the esteemed leaders (the Disciples). He took Barnabus, a well-respected leader, and Titus, a Gentile convert, as his two witnesses and “submitted” the Gospel he had received to John, James, and Peter. He didn’t go for their approval but to be unified with what was being taught in Jerusalem and beyond. They agreed with Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles, and requested that he also "remember the poor".

During this time Paul calls out Peter (Cephas) for being hypocritical while they are all meeting together. Peter openly ate with Gentile Christians yet when Jewish Christians came around, he withdrew from the Gentiles. Paul does this in the presence of ALL people there, reminding Peter that they are not only both Jews but also both know that a man is not justified by works. Yes, before Jesus, they were under the Law of Moses, but now that they've placed their faith in Christ, they know that following those rules doesn't save them!

I love the way the NIV translates verse 18: "If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker."

Paul is saying that if he were to "build a way" to God through the Law, it would basically be like looking at Jesus on the cross and telling him: "Thanks, but it's not enough. I think being circumcised and eating like the Jews is enough." WHAT?! That's crazy! Who in the world would say that to Jesus? YET...don't we all do that sometimes? I definitely find myself guilty of this. It's like I put Jesus + reading the Bible + being good + praying = justification. That is not how salvation works. We place our faith in Jesus alone and His work on the cross to save us. Period. We cry out with Paul in verse 20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me!” Did you also catch the past tense in the second part of that verse? “…who loved me and gave himself for me.” He loved you even on that cross! He had a plan for you even before you were born.

There is so much more I want to dive into but I want to ask you to end today meditating on verse 20. As Charles Spurgeon said: “Take these blessed words of the apostle, and put them in your mouth, and let them lie there as wafers made with honey, till they melt into your very soul: ‘Who loved me and gave Himself for me.’"

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence

Reflection:

• Meditate on and memorize Galatians 2:20 today. Rest in the promise that Jesus loves you and lives in you!
• Prayer: Father, we are so undeserving of Your grace yet You freely give to all those who receive. Thank You. Thank You for loving us enough to send Your one and only Son. Grow us to look more like Jesus, exposing our sin and giving us a heart to confess and repent. We love You, Lord. Amen.

Family Devo: Galatians 2

By: Selena Rosetti

Work gloves! What are they used for? We can use them for many things: raking leaves, gardening, yard work, cleaning, building, lifting, and so much more. But here’s a thought, do the gloves actually do the work? No, they are just flat and lifeless. For the gloves to actually do the work, I have to put my hands inside of them. Once I put my hands in them, they can do all sorts of things. It isn’t the gloves that are doing the work, it’s my hands inside of the gloves that are doing the work.  

In the first part of verse 20 of Galatians chapter 2, Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” 

We can do great things because we have Jesus Christ to help us. Sometimes we tend to think we are not capable of doing anything worthwhile for God. We are hesitant to even try because we are afraid of failure. I would love to encourage you by reminding you that BECAUSE we have Jesus, we can do anything He asks us to do! 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for giving us Your Word that encourages us to live bold lives for You. Help us to remember that Jesus is with us always, and we can do anything you ask us to do through the help of Jesus. Amen.