The Foundation of Our Liberty: Part 2 – Liberated by Faith – Part 5 – Dr. Charles Stanley

In today’s message, we explore Galatians Chapter 2, focusing on the foundation of our freedom in Christ Jesus. Many of us have grown up believing that to gain God’s approval, we must meet certain standards. We felt that if we didn’t, God would be disappointed, and so we constantly strived to improve, hoping not to let Him down.

However, as we study Galatians, we discover something profound: you cannot disappoint someone who has no expectations of you. God is not expecting us to perform or to earn His love; He has already approved of us. If God has already accepted you, why struggle for approval that is already yours? The truth is, we are already free, but many Christians are still trapped in the chains of legalism, held back by rules and traditions that God never intended for us.

In Galatians Chapter 2, the Apostle Paul addresses this very issue. In a conversation with Peter, Paul confronts the idea promoted by Judaizers that salvation requires not just faith in Jesus but also adherence to the law. Paul responds in verse 16, saying, “A man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” This truth is the cornerstone of our freedom—justification by faith.

Justification means that the moment you accept Jesus as your Savior, God declares you “not guilty.” This declaration is not based on your actions, your past, or even your future promises. It’s a divine statement that you are approved, accepted, and loved by God. Once you realize that you already have God’s approval, you no longer need to live your life striving to earn it.

The law was never meant to save us. Its purpose was to show us our helplessness and our need for God’s grace. Many believers think that after salvation, they must strive to improve themselves to please God. But the reality is, it’s not about becoming better. Nowhere in Scripture does God say He will improve us. Instead, He wants to replace our old selves with the life of Christ. Jesus doesn’t improve our flesh; He lives in and through us.

Trying to live a better Christian life by your own efforts—whether by reading the Bible occasionally, praying only in emergencies, or doing religious activities—will never work. It won’t help when you face trials, temptations, or suffering. The key to living a victorious Christian life is not in our efforts but in allowing Jesus to live His life through us.

This is the true freedom we have in Christ—freedom from the burden of trying to be good enough, and the peace that comes from knowing we are already loved and accepted by God.