There’s a question every believer must eventually face: Are you living out what you say you believe? Is Jesus truly enough—not just to save you, but to sustain you, change you, and live through you? Too often, we believe the right doctrine but live like we still trust in ourselves. That’s why today’s message is called Spirit-Filled Authentic Living.
Let’s look at Galatians 2:11–21, where Paul confronts Peter—not to shame him, but to protect the heart of the gospel: that our hope is not in rules, appearances, or performance, but in Christ alone, living in us.
Legalism vs. Authentic Faith
There are three ways people often try to live the Christian life:
- Legalism – Trying to be accepted by God through performance.
- Doctrinal Accuracy without Practical Obedience – Believing the right things but living inconsistently.
- Christ-Living-Through-You – The only right way.
Paul says in verse 20:
“I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…”
That verse isn’t just theological—it’s personal. It’s how Paul, and every believer, is called to live.
Confronting Our Compromises (Gal. 2:11–14)
Peter believed the gospel, but when pressure came, he compromised. At first, he freely fellowshipped with Gentiles, knowing the law no longer applied. But when other Jews arrived, Peter separated himself in fear of their judgment.
Paul confronted him publicly—not because he didn’t love Peter, but because the truth of the gospel was at stake.
“They walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel.” (v.14)
This shows how easily performance-based thinking can creep back into our Christian walk. Even saved people can begin living as if God’s approval hinges on keeping the right rules or avoiding the wrong crowd.
Centred on Christ Alone (Gal. 2:15–17)
Paul makes it clear: no one is justified—declared righteous—by works of the law.
“…For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (v.16)
Salvation is not by works. And sanctification—the Christian life—is not either. If we start in grace and then return to rule-keeping, we not only frustrate ourselves, we frustrate the grace of God (v.21). We say with our lives that Jesus isn’t enough, that we still need to earn His love.
But Paul reminds us: Jesus is enough. The gospel that saved us is the same gospel that keeps us.
Crucified with Christ, Alive by His Life (Gal. 2:18–21)
Paul’s solution isn’t more effort—it’s more surrender.
“I am crucified with Christ… yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…” (v.20)
This is not a self-help message. It’s not “try harder.” It’s “stop trying to live in your own strength.” The Christian life is not lived for Christ, it’s lived by Christ—through us.
Pastor Léveillé shared a powerful analogy: just as a Canadian citizen can say “we stormed the beaches of Normandy” despite not being there, we who are in Christ can say “I was crucified with Christ”—because His story becomes our story. His victory becomes our victory. His life becomes our life.
Real Christianity: From Effort to Abiding
Are you exhausted trying to be “good enough” for God? Living the Christian life in your own strength will always lead to frustration.
The gospel to the saint is the same as the gospel to the sinner: Christ in you, the hope of glory.
When Christ lives through you:
- Holiness becomes desire, not duty.
- Witnessing becomes overflow, not obligation.
- Obedience becomes worship, not a checklist.
An Invitation to Surrender
If you’ve never trusted Christ as your Savior, the answer isn’t religion—it’s relationship. You don’t need a list of rules. You need Jesus living in you, saving you, and transforming you.
And if you are saved, stop trying to live life alone. Let Christ go with you to work. Let Christ raise your kids. Let Christ overcome your addiction. Let Christ speak through you, forgive through you, serve through you.
The true Christian life is not lived by striving—it’s lived by surrender.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, we need You. Not just to forgive our past, but to live in our present. Help us stop trusting ourselves and start depending completely on You. Let Christ live through us, so that every conversation, every thought, every action would reflect Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
