Galatians 2:16 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.
20. I am Crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ lives in me: and THE LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, who love me and gave himself for me.
21. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if Righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain.
A man is justified or saved if you will by the Faith of Jesus Christ. (by the faith of Christ, I believe it is to be understood that this is Faith in who Christ is and what Christ accomplished at Calvery. 1 Corinthians 15:3, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures)
This is how every man is saved. Not some, not most, but all men are saved this way. (By Faith of Jesus Christ) At some point in every persons life (if that person is to get saved), he must come to the point of realizing what Jesus Christ did for him at Calvary. Shedding his innocent blood, the very Lamb of God, he gave his life on the Cross. After, believing the reality of this which happened for the sinner’s sake, it is the most natural thing in the world for them to have a penitent heart and feel sorry for ones sinful life which was the cause of Christ having to of necessity give his life on the Cross. This can all happen very quickly as soon as any person is given (For by Grace are you saved through Faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast, Ephesians 2:8,9) Faith in Christ. This Faith of Jesus Christ is what cleanses the sinner from all sin and justifies him in the eyes of God; then the Holy Spirit can dwell in him continually.
This all hinges on one believing that Christ shed his blood for us and gave his life on the Cross at Calvary. Without Faith in Christ and what he accomplished on the Cross, there is NO SALVATION.
Now, this person should want to live for God. He has been set free from his sin nature (not that the sin nature is no longer there, for it is; it just no longer holds any power over him. Romans 6:12-14.)
How does he do it? How does he live as God wants him to (walking after Spirit instead of walking in the flesh), understand the word of God as he desires, pray the way he should, come to the understanding of how God wants him to walk in love toward all men? How can he possibly sort out all the scriptures and understand the meanings that were previously undesernable to his natural mind (1Cor. 2:14). How will he be able to tell when someone is giving him doctrines which are in error?( unfortunately, there are actually more doctrines of error than there are truly scriptural doctrines of God, which are available to whoever chooses to listen)
The answer is actually not difficult. If you want to deal with the flesh the same way the Apostle Paul did, then just follow his prescription given in Gal.2:20. the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the Faith of the Son of God.
It is the exact same faith he had in order to be Justified (saved).
How can this be, I can hear someone asking. It is this way because the Holy Spirit works exclusively through the finished work of Christ. Whether it is for salvation, baptism in the Holy Spirit, or when you take up your Cross daily, as Jesus said to do in Luke 9:23(and yes the Cross which is yours to take up is also the same Cross he gave his life on; Gal.2:20), you are creating the only foundation upon which the Holy Spirit will stand while doing his work in your life.
If this is done first and continually by the believer (every day), everything else which is necessary for the believer will be revealed on a continual basis by the Holy Spirit. The believer will then find himself desiring to read the Word of God more. And when he reads the Word it will be more easily understood. The believer will find within himself a need and desire to pray and commune with God as never before. He will find that when he needs to make a decision about something, the Holy Spirit will be there to guide him. When such a believer picks up a book at the bookstore which he believes to be Christian inspired, he will more quickly understand if the doctrines and ideas put forth in that book are skewed or corrupt.
The sad fact is that many Christians do not feel the leading of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis and sometimes very seldom, if at all. And the reason for this lack of the Holy Spirit in their life is simply because they do not take up their Cross daily. And I might add without taking up our Cross daily, it is impossible to follow Christ.
