Made Righteous by Grace

 ”knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.“

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul explains, “we know that no one receives God’s perfect righteousness as a reward for keeping the law, but only by the faith of Jesus! His faithfulness has saved us, and we have received God’s perfect righteousness. Now we know that God accepts no one by the keeping of religious laws!”  It is not simply our faith, but His - the faithfulness of Jesus to fulfill the Father’s pleasure in His life and the sacrifice for our sins in His death.  Salvation is found in the “faith of Jesus.”  Jews were the first to know that righteousness is not a reward for good behaviour according to the requirements of the law, having pursued righteousness for generations under the system of personal performance but failed miserably!  Jesus Christ embodies God’s belief concerning mankind’s redeemed righteousness and this is the only valid basis of our belief.  Jew and gentile were equally disqualified by the law but now are equally justified because of Jesus and for no other reason!  Jesus is the Author and Finisher of faith.  Hallelujah!