This week we address the topic of justification. However, we need to keep in mind that in Galatians, justification is in the context of Jewish believers and Gentile believers living in community together. The Jewish believers needed to realize that their believing in Jesus implied that keeping the Mosaic law did not make them accepted and approved by God otherwise there was no need to put their trust and faith in Jesus. The Mosaic law refers to practices such as special diet, circumcision, not associating with non-Jews (Gentiles), hence separation, keeping the Sabbath and many other regulations.  

Our acceptance (justification) is based on our faith in Jesus the Christ. This faith is not merely mental agreement, it is a trust relationship. Faith is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8). Faith is a trust and personal dependence on what God has done in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our initial trust justified us (approved us) however we continue to have a trust relationship with the crucified and resurrected Jesus, continuing our acceptance and approval. We continue to endeavor to be justified (Gal. 2:17) based on this relationship of trust and faith. May we continue to have this personal dependence of trust on the crucified and resurrected Jesus and enjoy the table fellowship will all of those who have believed.