Nullifying the Grace of God Galatians 2.21

Galatians 2.21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. 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)

How to Nullify 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. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 2:13-16

By Binding Old Testament Law And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14

By Binding Old Testament Law Christ died to remove the Law – Eph 2.13-16; Col 2.14 He died in vain if Law could save – Gal 2.21; Heb 7.11; 10.14

By Binding Old Testament Law I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. Galatians 2:21

By Binding Old Testament Law 11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? Hebrews 7:11

By Binding Old Testament Law 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:14

By Binding Old Testament Law Christ died to remove the Law – Eph 2.13-16; Col 2.14 He died in vain if Law could save – Gal 2.21; Heb 7.11; 10.14 Those who seek justification by the law are “fallen from grace” – Gal 5.2-4

By Binding Old Testament Law Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. Galatians 5:2-4

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience Salvation without baptism is salvation without the death of Christ – Rom 6.3-4; Rev 1.5; Acts 22.16

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 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 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood Revelation 1:5 2. Washed from sins by blood (Rev. 1:5), when baptized (Acts 22:16)

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name. Acts 22:16 Washing away sins occurs in baptism!

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience Salvation without baptism is salvation without the death of Christ – Rom 6.3-4; Rev 1.5; Acts 22.16 To continue in grace of God requires godly living – Tit 2.11- 12; 1 Jn 1.7, 9

By Seeking Salvation Without Obedience 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives 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 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus 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 9 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 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 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Ephesians 5:23-25

By Making the Church Non-Essential Jesus died to save the church – the church IS the saved – Acts 20.28; Eph 5.23-25 Jesus died to reconcile men to God in ONE BODY by the cross – Eph 2.16 If “many churches” acceptable – died in vain If no church acceptable – 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 Heb 10.25-29 (NASB) “If we go on sinning willfully” Similar to “sin unto death” – 1 John 5.16-18 All repented of and confessed sin can be forgiven – 1 Jn 1.9 To go on sinning willfully nullifies sacrifice, blood and grace

Nullifying the Grace of God Galatians 2.21