Man's Best versus God's Best

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-13

C.I.: The Nature of “God's Best”

Last week we began a new series of lessons…. – Today we are going to look at the nature of God's best.
In his rebuke of Peter – Paul gives 5 basic reasons why – “God's Best” is best!!!

I. Five Reasons Why “God's Best” is Best…, (Galatians 2:14-21)

A. Promotes Unity among Believers, (v. 14)

1. ( v. 14 ), “But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel , - I said to Cephas in
the presence of all, - ‘If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, - how is it that you compel
the Gentiles to live like Jews?'” – Essentially Paul is asking, “What kind of consistency is that??!”

b. How we behave shows what we believe! – Peter's behavior showed that his beliefs were wrong!
1) ILLUST.: Historically there were differences between Jew/Gentile – 10 Commandments….
2) There is no difference between believers: All are sinners ( Rom. 3:23 ) – all who are saved are
saved by Jesus ( Rom. 5:6 ), “while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for….”

c. Believers who are truly seeking after “God's Best” in their lives – will be unified. - Reasons…
1) Jesus prayed for unity, ( Jn. 17:21 ) – Paul exhorts us to unity ( I Cor. 1:10 ), “Now I exhort
you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no
divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
2) Those who create disunity – are not seeking “God's Best” - ( Jude 19 ), “These are ones who
cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.”
3) Therefore, spiritually, God doesn't see a differences between believers, ( quote Gal. 3:26-28 ).

B. Provides Justification by Faith, (v. 16)

1. ( v. 16 ), “…knowing that a man is not justified by works of law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have
believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of law; since by works of
law shall no flesh be justified.”
a. The word “justified” means “made righteous.”
1) Two ways to be “righteous”: Man's Best ( Rom. 3:10 ) or God's Best ( v. 16 ), “…j. by faith”
2) Justification is an act of God (it's NOT a process) – no Xn is more righteous than any other.

b. A reason so many people never consider becoming a Xn is because, “I could never be good enough!!!”
1) This is “Man's Best” kind of thinking – it's not the “God's Best” way of thinking!!!
2) Even some Xns carry around guilt of their past lives – saying, ‘God forgives but He doesn't
forget. – Yet He says, ( Rom. 4:7-8 ) , “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been
forgiven … whose sins the Lord will NOT take into account.”
3) God never considered our “best” to be all that good – ( Isa. 64:6 ), “All our righteous deeds….”
4) So why place our confidence in ourselves? - ( Rom. 3:27-28 ), “Where then is boasting? It is
excluded. – By what kind of law? Of works? – No, but by a law of faith. – For we maintain
that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law.”

C. Produces Freedom from Law, (vs. 17-18)

1. ( vs. 17-18 ), “But if, while seeking to be justified by Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ
then a minister of sin? – May it never be! – For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be….”
a. If our faith in Jesus – does NOT justify us (but keeps us in sin) – then Jesus is a minister of sin.
1) Thus, “Rebuild” means - returning to a law-keeping/works-oriented system.
2) So the N.T. is NOT just a new set of laws – which replaces the O.T. laws!!!
3) Paul seeks to “destroy” this old “law” system. – For returning to it – would make us sinners.

b. Trying our best to keep law – will not work ( Jms. 2:10 ), “Whoever desires to keep the whole law….”
1) Even if there was only “1 Law” to keep – mankind has proven inadequate for it, ( Gen. 3:1-6 ).
2) Purpose of “the law” – was to teach us God's holy standard (and since we couldn't keep it) -
the law also pointed out our need for a Savior, ( Gal. 3:23-25 )!
3) Therefore, law's purpose was never to save us – ( Gal. 3:21 ), “For if a law had been given
which was able to impart life, then righteousness would have been based on law.”

D. Permits Living by Faith, (v. 20)

1. ( v. 20 ), “I have been crucified with Christ; - and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; - and the life
that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”
a. Being “crucified with Christ” is the decision – to no longer live for ourselves, (i.e. “Man's Best”)!!!
1) We no longer allow sin to be in control of our lives – ( Gal. 5:24 ), “Now those who belong to
Christ - have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
2) Nor do we allow “law-keeping" to control us – ( Gal. 2:19 ), “For through law I died to the
law , that I might live to God.”

b. Once we get ourselves out of the way – we are set free to live for Jesus!
2) Our lives are no longer about “ME!” – For now we live for Jesus.
3) All the old questions: “What do I want?” – “What will they think about ME ?” – are all gone!
4) The pressure is off. – Now we need to ask only 1 thing – “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?”

E. Proffers Grace, (v. 21)

1. ( v. 21 ), “I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through law, Christ died needlessly.”
a. “Grace” = God's Favor (some people say, “unmerited favor”)
1) Trying “Our Best” to please God – doesn't make grace a “favor” – but rather what is owed us.
2) ( Rom. 4:4 ), “Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor but what is due.”
3) Thus, “grace” is NOT , “We do our best & God does the rest!” – But rather, “We put our faith
in God – and He does it ALL!”

b. So seeking “God's Best” by faith – recognizes that “grace” - is given to people who don't deserve it.
1) ( Eph. 2:8-9 ), “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it
is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast.”
2) Those who trust in their own efforts are sadly mistaken, ( Gal. 5:4 ), “You have been cut off
from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

REVIEW : “Seeking God's Best = …!” - … Gal. 3:26-27