Galatians 2:16, 19 (NIV) “Know that a person is not justified by the works of 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 the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.”
Every man wants to know he’s good enough — that he’s doing enough, achieving enough, living right enough to please God. But here’s the truth: you can’t earn God’s approval by keeping rules.
That’s what Paul is saying in Galatians 2. Obedience to man-made standards or moral checklists doesn’t make anyone right with God. Most people today design their own version of morality, and if they live up to it, they assume they’re good with God. But that’s pride disguised as religion.
Only God defines what is right, and only God can declare who is righteous. The One who created heaven sets the standard for who enters it — not us. Our opinions about goodness mean nothing if we reject His Son, because no one is justified by works — only by faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn’t live. He offered that life as the perfect sacrifice, taking the punishment our sin deserved on the cross. His resurrection proved His sacrifice was accepted by God and that He alone has the power to grant eternal life to all who trust in Him.
So if salvation is by faith, not works — why do good?
Because obedience isn’t about earning love, it’s about expressing love.
Think about marriage. There’s no “law of marriage” that says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery or else you’ll go to jail.” The consequence isn’t legal — it’s relational. If I betray my wife, I destroy the trust and love between us. The issue isn’t rules; it’s love.
In the same way, we don’t obey Jesus to stay out of trouble; we obey Him because we love Him. Real faith works through love (Galatians 5:6). When we love God, we want to please Him. We live to strengthen our relationship with Him — not out of fear, but devotion.
Those who refuse to love God through faith in Jesus will be separated from Him forever. Their “faith” in their own goodness will fail them, because only faith in Christ justifies.
But those who live for God — who love Jesus and obey Him out of faith — will dwell with Him forever.
Stop trying to prove you’re good enough for God. You’re not — and that’s exactly why Jesus came. Put your faith fully in Him. Love Him with your whole heart. Obey not to earn His favor, but to enjoy His fellowship.
Run Today’s Play: Live today not by the law, but for God — because real men of faith don’t perform to impress Him; they pursue Him to please Him.
