Main Passage: Galatians 2:16 “...know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”

Core message: This message focuses on the daily decisions of the heart that either lead us into deeper intimacy with God or cause separation from God. We are constantly faced with a choice to either ‘save face’ by justifying ourselves and our actions, or to surrender to God's standard of righteousness, which is Jesus. In this message, we examine what it means to be justified by faith, exchanging our need to be right for the true righteousness of God. 

Seeking Righteousness, Not Just Being Right

The concepts of being "right" and being "righteous" are at constant war within our hearts. Being right means seeking self-justification, defending our own image, and blaming outside influences to avoid responsibility. Being righteous, however, is a gift of God that can only be found in the arms of our Savior. We surrender the need to be right for a godly desire to be righteous before God; we ask Him to search our hearts and reveal His will in the situation.

• Right (Self-Justification): The desire to be ‘right’ focuses on being approved in one's own eyes; characterized by arguing, excusing behavior, and maintaining a self-image without seeking God or a concern for His approval.
• Righteousness (Gift from God): Romans 3:22-24 and Romans 5:9 explain that all have sinned and are, therefore, deserving of God’s wrath, since He is a holy God. Yet in God’s mercy, He sent His sinless Son, Jesus, to die and pay the penalty for our sin. True righteousness, therefore, is a gift paid for by Christ's blood. We only need to open our hearts and believe in His perfect sacrifice to receive it. A new desire then springs from our hearts that says, "I don't need to be right, Lord, I need to be righteous in your eyes.”
• The Law vs. Faith: Galatians 2:21 says "...if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" God’s justification comes only through faith in Jesus Christ and not by our own works (Galatians 2:16). We must stop seeking our own justice outside of God’s perfect judgment over our lives through the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Innocent in God's Eyes vs. Innocent in the World's Eyes

• Whose Standard?: The standard of whether we are innocent or guilty depends on whose standard we accept. Jesus was innocent in God's eyes. He committed no sin, yet was found “guilty” by the world's law and public opinion- a profound error. We face the same choice today: to seek the world's approval or God's approval.
• God's Innocence: True innocence is found only at the cross. God looks down and sees a person not without sin, but one who is covered by the blood of His Son. This is what He calls innocent and righteous. Jesus is the righteousness of God, and when He enters, Jesus becomes our righteousness! 
• Trusting God's Judgment: We follow the humble path of Jesus, who trusted God to vindicate Him, even to the point of death on the cross. As 1 Peter 2:23 states, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” Like our Savior, we must lay down the need to be 'right' in the eyes of man and trust in the justice that only God provides. 

Saving Face vs. Saving Grace

Saving face is the attempt to minimize our sin to save our reputation and ego. Saving grace, however, is the moment we acknowledge our wrongs and surrender that weight at the cross of Jesus Christ.

• Saving Face: This behavior leads to arguing and refuses to take responsibility; it separates us from God and allows sin to grow. When we are more focused on protecting our own image, we try to conceal our ‘wounds’ so that no one sees our brokenness. This does not lead to the righteous and abundant life God desires for us.
• Saving Grace: It is the undeserved favor, love, peace, and forgiveness of God; it is the power of redemption that comes through Christ's cross. In thanksgiving, we seek to remain in this grace that gives us the power to live godly lives.
• The Choice: We cannot experience the power of saving grace as long as we are justifying and saving face. One requires us to hide our wounds; the other invites us to have them healed.

Next Step: Ask yourself - Are there areas of my life today where I am saving face by minimizing and justifying sin? Today, you can surrender them all before the cross and, by faith, receive saving grace- true righteousness found in Jesus Christ!