16 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. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. ~ GALATIANS 2:16-19
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Living a life by faith means we are living in a reality we cannot see. This is true justification. Paul is telling us that since we KNOW that man is NOT justified by the works of the law, or keeping of commandments, then how can we seek to find our justification in things we can see? “If I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.” How can we live in a faith reality, KNOWING we are already crucified IN Christ, and look in the mirror hoping to find a sinless condition? Our flesh is not the thing that testifies of our justification, it is only by faith.