Christ's Sufficiency Guards Against Antinomian and Legalist Errors

Paul's rebuke in Galatians 2:17 exposes two corruptions of justification by Christ. The legalists nullify grace by rejecting Christ as the sole means of salvation, seeking righteousness through works of the law—which can only intensify consciousness of sin rather than remove it. The Antinomians abuse grace by treating it as license for presumption, making Christ morally complicit in their wickedness. Both distortions lead to the same blasphemous conclusion: Christ ministers to sin.

Yet Paul's horror at this proposition reveals its preposterous nature. Justification in Christ is complete and effectual—He fulfilled the law, bore its penalty, and delivered us from its claims entirely. This achievement secures pardon, acceptance, and Divine privileges that no human effort could procure.

C. H. Spurgeon's warning proves vital here: many preachers distribute "opium lozenges" stamped mash Allah (the gift of God)—sermons that preach grace while denying duty, exalt predestination while rejecting human responsibility. This narcotic doctrine sends souls to sleep who will wake in hell.

True justification by Christ produces the strongest incentive to righteousness. Grace and obedience are inseparable. The justified live righteously not from fear of condemnation, but from gratitude for Christ's sufficient work. Any teaching that severs justification from sanctification contradicts the Adonai's character and corrupts the Gospel's power.