Justified by the faith OF Christ and not faith IN Christ; Part 3

Gal 2:16 NET Translation "yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified."

This is the third post in a series, and while I am not certain how many more posts will follow, I am certain that this subject is a most important concept in the message and mission of Jesus Christ, (Jeshua Hamashiach.) I include the Jewish name for Jesus to assure all that I am referring to the Jewish Messiah, the Saviour of the World.

For many years I have had to switch between translations of the bible. The reason for this was that some render a passage differently than I believe to be faithful to the original language. This has been especially true for the New Testament (the first century Greek Scriptures.) I believe I have found one that will allow me to switch no longer. It is the NET (New English Translation.) I have not read it completely or thoroughly at this point but in looking at the passages that I have had concerns about in the past it certainly passes muster.

In the above rendering of Galatians 2:16 the translators have rendered the faith of Christ as the faithfulness of Christ which I actually think is more accurate and it directly relates to Christ's faith. If one renders Gal 2:16 faith IN Christ Jesus then it speaks of something we do. If on the other hand, it is rendered the faithfulness or faith OF Christ Jesus, it is then something that God does through and in Christ. Paul states in 2Cor 5 that God was IN Christ reconciling the world to Himself and this certainly is in agreement with justification coming through the faithfulness OF Jesus Christ.

Further, Romans chapter five falls into line with the concept of the faithfulness of Christ. Rom 5:18 NET  "Consequently, just as condemnation for all people came through one transgression, so too through the one righteous act came righteousness leading to life for all people." Adams unfaithfulness resulted in death and condemnation, and Jesus Christ's faithfulness resulted in life and justification. In both cases the first and last Adam, the faithfulness or unfaithfulness of the one ended up affecting the many or all.

This is why John's gospel becomes key in this. Especially in chapters 7-17 one finds details of the faith/faithfulness of Jesus Christ. In reading this passage it becomes obvious that Jesus faithfulness/faith was indeed perfect, which in turn, was a perfect offering to God making Jesus the perfect sacrifice. Now understand this. It was not a sacrifice to appease God, but rather, a sacrifice to appease the conscience of humanity. This is why the Christus Victor atonement view is so important. Jesus Christ's faithfulness/faith was victorious over Satan's attempt to  destroy humanity with Adam's unfaithfulness/faithlessness.

In fact, the writings of Paul and the gospel of John unite to show a consolidated view of God's actions in redemption and salvation. In this view it is God who initiates and God who completes redemption. Humanity has nothing to do with it except to apprehend it by faith. Yes, this shows radical grace, and it is in fact this radical grace that transformed the world in the first century, Acts 17:6. It was this concept that turned the world upside down.

As I have stated in the past two posts in this series, make of it what you will, as for me and my house we will believe the gospel!

Links to the other two posts in this series...    Part 1  Part 2