Justified by faith in Christ

Galatians 2:15-21 was written because of a fight between Peter and Paul. The fight was about whether Jewish laws should be imposed on Gentile followers of Jesus. Pastor Phil Kniss spoke of this fight, and of the importance of Paul's stand to keep following Christ separate from ethnic or cultural practices. To be justified by faith means to confess our trust in Jesus Christ. It is not what we do that gives faith meaning, but what God has done. Faith is not something we muster up to gain God's approval. Faith frees us up to be obedient to following Jesus Christ and actively participating in the mission of God. The story of Luke 7:36-8:3 is a story of this kind of faith. Being made righteous is God's work, not ours, but our confession of our faith is required of us.