But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? (Galatians 2:14)

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED.” That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. (Romans 9:6-8)

Galatians 2:11-21 outlines the issues that the visible churches faced at that time. Circumcision was given to Abraham and his descendants as a symbol of God’s chosen people. However, circumcision was only a shadow of the real circumcision, the circumcision of the heart, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After Christ’s ascension, some Israelites joined the visible church, but they did not understand that circumcision done on the body was replaced by the ceremonial baptism. With their wrong understanding of circumcision, some Israelites tried to put a heavy yoke of the Law on the new members of the church. Paul explains here that true Israelites are the believers, chosen by grace, and that the Law does not lead to righteousness.

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly. (Galatians 2:21)

Paul never says that the sinless Adam could earn righteousness by works if he had endured till the end of the probation period, which the Covenant theologians insist. It is because his understanding (and all apostles’ understanding) of righteousness has a different root. Paul’s understanding of righteousness is always connected to Christ’s death (and resurrection). Paul does not talk about only death of Christ but also His resurrection as the two events are inseparable. Paul’s idea of righteousness is from God because Christ has also said this:

… regarding righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you no longer are going to see Me (John 16:10)

Christ has never told us that our righteousness is from His perfect keeping of the Law apart from His work on the cross. This is why God has shown me that the Covenant Theology along with the Active Obedience of Christ is rootless. Emphasis on the Law may appear to bring lawfulness in churches but keeping of the Law (agape) comes from God not from our own initiatives. True keeping of the Law is from understanding and knowing God, which the Word and the Spirit give. Distorting the words of God does not lead to lawfulness. On the contrary, it leads to death of churches, which we now face. That is what the false Christians intended to do as shown in Galatians 2:4.

Yet it was a concern because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy on our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. (Galatians 2:4)

The Covenant Theology has actually led people to legalism and false piety. Many Protestant churches have abandoned God’s absolute grace. The false Christians appear to live a pious and disciplined life. Many think their way of life will please God. But God does not approve of their works.

Galatians 2:14 may appear confusing to some. But its interpretation is simple.

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew (Christian), live like the Gentiles (unbelievers/idolaters) and not like the Jews (Christians), how is it that you compel the Gentiles (unbelievers/idolaters) to live like Jews (Christians)? (Galatians 2:14)

Paul asks us how we as Christians can compel the idolaters to live like Christians when we live like the idolaters. Peter was proud to be a physical descendant of Abraham and was enticed by his pride. While he thought he acted like a chosen man of God, he, in fact, acted like an idolater, who does not know God. Many in the Reformed churches say that they are chosen by God and yet, they believe in the miserable doctrines that lead them to death.

The Covenant theologians believe that our eternal life is from Christ’s perfect keeping of the Law. Some interpret the Law as agape. But the majority of them interpret the Law as the written code. And they promote people to keep the written code written in the Ten Commandments. True Christians uphold the Law by the power of the Holy Spirit. However, we do not believe that our eternal life is from Christ’s keeping of the Law apart from the cross.

Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life. (John 6:47)

This faith is always connected to Christ’s work on the cross.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Paul says that love is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:10). However, he often explains the Law as the written code that condemns and brings death to people. The righteousness that the saints receive is God’s righteousness that comes from believing in Christ who died and resurrected for His church. Our righteousness is not mere uprightness that Adam had. Christ died and yet, the work is not only from Him but also from the Father. Christ believed in the Father because He is one with the Father. We receive His righteousness by believing in Him.

No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it back. This commandment I received from My Father. (John 10:18)

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.” (Romans 1:17)

We died to the Law. Christ came and paid for our sins as the sole representative of the saints, which Romans 5 explains. As He resurrected to life and lives forever, the saints who believe in Him live forever. Christ’s sinlessness is for the once-for-all perfect sacrifice, which the Book of Hebrews explains in depth.