What were we like when we first became a Christian? What are we like now?
1. Public disagreement (between Peter and Paul 2:11-13). The Old Testament laws were symbols of being God's people - but these have been fulfilled in Christ. Peter knew that God had accepted the Gentiles. However, when some people came (the circumcision group) they got Peter out of fear to withdraw from the Gentiles. Paul confronted him for not living by the Truth that there is no distinction between the Jew and Gentile. There is a principle for us all - do not be 'play actors'. It is a temptation we can all fall into.
2. What God has done. (a) Righteousness. Only God is righteous and He is Judge. (b) Justification - the process of declaring something is righteous. Christianity is different to all other religious (v15,16). Justification by faith alone - we can do nothing. The cost is borne by Christ (3:13) who was cursed in our place. A Christian is a someone who makes this personal (2:20). You cannot be saved by someone else's faith.
3. Are you so foolish? (3:1) We are not saved by what we do. The Galatians felt what we do adds to our Salvation (3:1-3). Religious actions and routines are attractive, and we start to think this makes God happy. God does it all - start to end - our role is to trust.
