Galatians 2:21 “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” The Grace is rooted in the sacrifice of Christ (v. 20). B. It is impossible to be saved without the grace of God (Eph. 2:5,8)

Setting Aside the Grace of God Galatians 2:21

How to Set Aside the Grace of God C. It is possible to frustrate (“set aside” NKJ; “make void” ASV; "nullify" ESV) the grace of God. 1. To frustrate is to render the death of Christ in vain. 2. Several ways that people effectively render the death of Christ in vain:

By Binding Old Testament Law Christ died to remove the Law (Eph. 2:13-16; Col. 2:13-14).

By Binding Old Testament Law “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity” (Eph. 2:13-16).

By Binding Old Testament Law “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Col. 2:13-14).

By Binding Old Testament Law He died in vain if Mosaic Law was enough (Gal. 2:21; Heb 7:11; 10:14).

By Binding Old Testament Law “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” (Gal. 2:21).

By Binding Old Testament Law “Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?” (Heb. 7:11).

By Binding Old Testament Law “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Heb. 10:14).

By Binding Old Testament Law Those who seek justification by the Law are “fallen from grace” (Gal 5:2-4).

By Binding Old Testament Law “Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:2-4).

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience Salvation without baptism is salvation without the death of Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Acts 22:16).

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). A. To seek salvation without baptism is to seek salvation without death of Christ. 1. Baptized into death, raised to new life (Rom. 6:3,4)

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Washing away sins occurs in baptism!

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience To continue in grace of God requires godly living (Titus 2:11-12; 1 John 1:7, 9).

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). To continue in the grace of God unto salvation requires godly living (Tit. 2:11, 12)

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Fellowship with God (salvation) requires walking in the light (1 John 1:7)

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Walking in the light includes applying the blood of Christ to our sins (1 John 1:7,9)

By Making the Church Non-Essential Jesus died to save the church—the church is the saved (Acts 20.:28; Eph 5:23-25). Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28

By Making the Church Non-Essential “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).

By Making the Church Non-Essential “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Eph. 5:23-25).

By Making the Church Non-Essential Jesus died to reconcile men to God in ONE BODY by the cross (Eph 2:14-16). 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 2:16

By Making the Church Non-Essential “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity” (Eph. 2:14-16).

By Making the Church Non-Essential Jesus died to reconcile men to God in ONE BODY by the cross (Eph 2.16). If “many churches” are acceptable Jesus died in vain. If no church is acceptable Jesus died in vain. 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 2:16

By Continuing in Willful Sin “If we go on sinning willfully” (Heb 10:25-29, NASB). Similar to “sin unto death” (1 John 5:16-18). Sin from which we have repented and confessed can be forgiven (1 John 1:9). To go on sinning willfully sets aside the sacrifice, blood and grace of Christ.