We see Paul begin the heart of this teaching in Galatians. If we are saved by works, then Christ died for nothing. The equation is not Jesus plus correct doctrine equals salvation. It is not Jesus, plus the right church equals salvation. It is not Jesus, plus the right gifts of the spirit equals salvation. It is Jesus equals salvation. Just Jesus. He alone saves. That’s the Gospel.

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you on this wonderful Thursday morning as we continue our journey through Galatians. I really enjoyed yesterday’s reflection where we saw Paul and Peter in conflict over what grace and works truly mean—a core tension in the Christian faith.

Today, we dive into one of the most formative sections of Scripture regarding the doctrine of justification by grace through faith. Galatians is foundational here, right alongside Romans and parts of Ephesians, in shaping this essential Christian belief. Starting with today’s passage in chapter 2 and continuing through chapter 5, Paul unpacks what it means to be saved by grace, not by works, and how the law fits into the Christian life.

Let’s read Galatians 2:15-21.

Boom. There it is. The whole gospel in a single line: “If justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.”

That’s the heart of it all.

If there’s anything—any single thing—you must add to Christ in order to be saved, then it’s not Christ who saves you. It’s Christ plus that thing. And that completely undermines the gospel.

• If you believe it’s Christ + correct theology that saves you, then it’s not Christ—it’s the theology.
• If you think it’s Christ + a specific form of baptism, then baptism is the savior, not Christ.
• If you say it’s Christ + the right denomination, worship style, or political view, then those things are the key to salvation—not Jesus.

That’s why I’m always hesitant when I hear people say things like, “You’re not really a Christian unless you [fill in the blank].” Whether it’s about doctrine, worship preferences, political views, or specific practices—if it’s not Christ alone, it’s not the gospel.

Paul hammers this home here. He’s being a little snarky in the opening: “We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners…”—but then he immediately flips it. He says, “We know that no one is justified by works of the law.” Not even the most devout Jews. Not Peter. Not Paul. Not you. Not me.

The law, Paul explains, shows us our need for Christ. Think of it like a stress test at the doctor. The test itself doesn’t fix anything—it just reveals what’s wrong. That’s what the law does. It reveals our brokenness, our inability to meet God’s perfect standard, and our desperate need for grace.

Paul then gives us one of the most powerful lines in Scripture:
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

This is where real life begins—not in striving to earn salvation, but in dying to ourselves and letting Christ live through us.

Paul’s message is clear:

It’s just Jesus.
That’s it. Jesus equals salvation.