Here's The Bottom Line.

Galatians 2:21 (NIV)

²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

There is a mode of reasoning whereby we are called to anticipate the end of our thinking.  We are called to carry our conclusions to their logical destination.  Here Paul makes this very clear.  Seeking to become righteous by obedience is tantamount to rejection of Christ.  Why would Christ come in incarnation, live a sinless life, die on Calvary's cross and rise in three days?  Why do that if righteousness could be gained by law-keeping (Or as Catholics believe, by congruence.)?

"The law is good, holy, and profitable, and yet it justifieth not. He then that keepeth the law to be justified thereby, rejecteth grace, denieth Christ, despiseth his sacrifice, and will not be saved by this inestimable price, but will satisfy for his sins through the righteousness of the law, or deserve grace by his own righteousness." [1]

To seek out and embrace any other means of salvation -- any other means, is to reject Christ's grace and render His passion a waste of time. This cannot be right.  "Mine eyes shall behold nothing else but Christ the Son of God. He ought to be such a treasure unto me, that all other things should be but dung in comparison of him. He ought to be such a light unto me, that when I have apprehended him by faith, I should not know whether there be any law, any sin, any righteousness, or any unrighteousness in the world. For what are all things which are in heaven and earth in comparison of the Son of God, Jesus Christ my Lord, who loved me and gave himself for me?" [1]

To reject Christ and embrace law-keeping as a means to be justified invites amplified condemnation: “How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29, NIV)

Father, this drive within us to find satisfaction and acceptance in our own efforts or through reward of our own goodness accents our pride; emphasizes our lack of appreciation for Your Son, Jesus; and reveals what a callous view of sin we hold. Your Son is the inestimable Treasure of all.  Nothing in this life can compare to Christ.  He great love and complete salvation is brought to us through mercy that is incomparable.  What a contempt one must have to reject so wonderful a Savior?  To turn from such grace is suicidal and the most irrational choice of all time.  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:12, NIV). Today we thank You for Jesus, who loved us and gave Himself for us.  There is no other Savior but Him.  O what a Savior!

 

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 2:21). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.