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FAQ # 65
QUESTION 65
: Can we frustrate the
grace of God as Paul mentioned in Gal 2:21? If so how does justification
fits in? Better yet, can we not “fall from grace” as mentioned in Gal
5:4?
The texts read,
- “I do not frustrate
the grace of God; for if righteousness come by law, then Christ is dead
in vain” (Gal 2:21).
- “Christ is become
of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye
are fallen from grace” (Gal 5:4).
Firstly, the dictionary tells us that “frustrate” in the first verse
means, to ‘prevent from achieving purpose;’ and in the second verse “fallen
from grace” generally alludes to the same thing.
Before we go into the text, we have a big question and a few verses
to contend with as it concerns the meaning of ‘to frustrate’. For instance,
can anyone or thing prevent God from achieving his purpose. The same God
that said,
“I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the
beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying,
my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isa 46:9-10).
In other words, can a mere man frustrate God’s grace to him or her?
The same God that told us to forgive our brother 149 times in one
day if he offends us (Matt 18:22); how much more him?
If it were possible Paul wouldn’t have confessed,
“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion…it is not of
him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but God that sheweth mercy”
(Rom 9:15-16). In other words, what you do or don’t do isn’t the deciding
factor of God’s grace to you, but rather, because he chooses. Even further,
no one can be save except God pulls him or her (John 6:65).
Gal 2:21 has nothing to do with backsliding, God getting fed up with
you and aborting you, nor does it have any bearings on born again believers
eternal state before God.
To receive the full meaning of Gal 2:21 one has to read the entire
chapter; but let us back up to verse 15.
“We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the
faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we
might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the
law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if,
while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners,
is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again
the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through
the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified
with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I
do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by
the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Paul in this chapter made it very clear to the Galatians that the keeping
of the Mosaic law (Ex 20) nullifies our freedom, which we have in Jesus
Christ. The old Jewish law was used as maker for justification. But Christ
came and made a simpler way; which involves faith in him.
Now, after
receiving such grace from the elements of ‘dead works’ to total liberty,
it would be a hindrance or prevention of what God intended for us. God
gave us freedom from the works of the law through faith in Jesus Christ.
He did it for our good. If one chooses to avoid that freedom and keep
the law, he chooses to be under bondage and prevent salvation from achieving
the purpose (frustrate) of liberty and rest, which was promised. Not that
God’s purpose of giving grace is frustrated, but one would have chosen,
at the time, to reject it.
For example,
God told two men to travel by sea from America to China. He then gave
them each a speedboat with enough fuel, food and he himself would be in
it. However, one chooses to cut his journey in half by swimming (law)
and the other chooses to use the speed boat (salvation).
Not only
will the one in the speedboat reach quicker, but he’ll also be the only
one that survived the journey. Likewise, Paul said, “by the works of the
law shall no flesh be justified” (Gal 2:16).
God would
have provided the boat and provision in vain for the one that choose to
swim. He not only would have died, but also prevented (frustrate) the
purpose of the boat (Grace). As Paul said, “But if, while we seek to be
justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners [using the Law]…I
make myself a transgressor” (Gal 2:18). Notice that both started out in
Grace (boat), but one made himself a transgressor by Law (swimming). God
would still be in America and also in the boat, if he had swim back or
cried out for help. No one could have stopped (frustrate) God from providing
for the brave swimmer; not even the swimmer himself. The provision (grace)
will always be here and you can not frustrate it; but by going back under
the Law you would have given up a good option and also fail in your attempts
towards salvation. That’s why he said, “Christ is become of no effect
unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
grace.” Thanks be to God, it’s not really our attempt (Rom 8:30)!
The reason
why he became a transgressor by going back under the law is cleared up
in this verse, “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of
grace, but of debt” (Rom 4:4). In other words, if you ‘work’ or
use the law, you have to keep all of it to be counted righteous; so if
you only keep apart of it then you are found wanting or having “debt.”
Moreover, it is not “reckoned of grace” because you would be the one who
did it, so to speak. But Christ came and made a simpler way (grace), which
is revealed in the next verse after the above one, “But to him that worketh
not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted
for righteousness” (Rom 4:5).
Therefore,
Gal 2:21 or Gal 5:4 had nothing to do with backsliding or God getting
fed up with you after many failings. It was merely dealing with the law
and grace.
As it relates to us and the Galatians, while in the boat with others do
not suddenly decide to swim part of the journey or the rest of it (become
sanctimonious), you would either drown or be eaten. But if you decide
to get back in the boat you have free access (Rom 11:23); or, if you cry
out for help, God will be there to bring you back. Remember, the scripture
says, “now unto him that’s able to keep us from falling…” The word “able”
there only suggest that he has the ability or more than the ability; but
we have to call. You must continue to believe that you are justified by
faith alone, through this new birth experience, and not by the letter
of the Law. But if you do try to swim and find yourself stuck, worn out,
unsure of salvation and more, CRY OUT HELP! And God will be there in a
rush
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