Union with Christ Changes Everything

Union with Christ Changes Everything

Series: Galatians: Church on the Move
Passage: Galatians 2:11–21
Main Idea: The law of God reveals our need for union with Christ.

Introduction

The same theological struggles the church faces today are not new. Centuries ago, books like The Marrow of Modern Divinity addressed the same tensions between legalism and grace.

In Galatians 2, we see a powerful and surprising moment:
Paul publicly confronts Peter.

Why?
Because Peter’s actions were out of step with the gospel.

At stake was not just behavior—but the very truth of the gospel.

At the center of this passage is one of the most important verses in Scripture:

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20)

Union with Christ changes everything.

1. Union with Christ Corrects Wrongly Placed Religious Adherence

(Galatians 2:11–14)

Paul confronts Peter because his actions contradicted the gospel.

• Peter had been eating with Gentiles
• But withdrew out of fear when Jewish leaders arrived
• Even Barnabas was led astray

What Happened?

Peter gave in to the fear of man.

This wasn’t new:

• He denied Jesus three times
• Now he compromised gospel truth to fit in

Even after God clearly showed him in Acts 10 that Gentiles were accepted, Peter drifted backward.

The Danger

When we compromise truth to fit in:

• We drift into error
• We influence others toward error

Two Common Extremes

These same dangers exist today:

Legalism

• Adding rules to the gospel
• Elevating tradition to salvation-level importance

Antinomianism (License)

• Ignoring holiness
• Treating grace as permission to sin

Both distort the gospel and rob us of life in Christ.

Application

Don’t adjust your beliefs to gain approval.

Stand firm in the truth of the gospel.

2. Union with Christ Brings Freedom

(Galatians 2:15–18)

“A person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.”

The Role of the Law

The law is not bad—it is good and holy.

“The law of the Lord is perfect…” (Psalm 19)

But the law functions like a mirror:

• It reveals our sin
• It shows our inability to meet God’s standard

The Problem

We cannot keep the law perfectly.

Because of that, the law becomes a curse to us.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law…” (Galatians 3:13)

The Solution

Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf.

• He took our punishment
• He gave us His righteousness

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

The Result

Union with Christ brings:

• Freedom from condemnation
• Freedom from striving
• Freedom to live for God

3. Union with Christ Reminds Us of Our Need for Him

(Galatians 2:19–21)

“I have been crucified with Christ… Christ lives in me.”

Union with Christ means:

• We died with Him
• We were raised with Him
• We now live through Him

A New Identity

The Christian life is not self-improvement.

It is new life.

• Old self crucified
• New life in Christ

A Growing Desire

Like appreciating sunshine after a long winter,
the more time we spend with Christ,
the more we desire Him.

A New Way to Live

“The life I now live… I live by faith in the Son of God.”

We no longer rely on:

• Our effort
• Our performance

We live by faith in Christ who:

• Loved us
• Gave Himself for us

Warning

“If righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”

We must not mix:

• Grace + works
• Faith + performance

Salvation is Christ alone.

Conclusion

What are you relying on for your salvation?

• Your morality?
• Your effort?
• Your religious activity?

Or are you fully trusting in Christ?

Union with Christ means:

• You have died to sin
• You are alive to God
• You are free in Christ

Main Idea

The law of God reveals our need for union with Christ.

Homework

Psalm 19

Read
Reflect
Respond
Rest