Galatians 2:16a

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ..."

In fact, as is drummed into us throughout the New Testament (and in some spots in the Old Testament as well) if we're going to be found acceptable in the estimation of our maker, it will not be becuase of anything we do (though we are also exhorted to do much). We rely on the mercy and love of God for our saving grace. Scary in some ways. After all, there is no way for US to guarantee that God will, in fact, love us -- there is no right number of box tops to collect. We are totally dependent. For many this is unnerving. Wouldn't it be better to know that if you complete certain tasks, difficult as they may be, that you'll gain God's approval (not to mention blissful eternity in Heaven)?

And yet, having known God for many years now, I can say without equivocation that it is far better to rely on God's mercy and love rather than on the strength of my arms (or my courage or my organizational skills, etc). With as often as I fail at even the tasks I set for myself, I'd much rather rely on the unchanging, infallible qualities of God. He knew what he was doing when He set up the arrangement between himself and mankind in this format.

Yet, does it keep one from worrying about their salvation? I think it should. After all, it isn't in our hands, frail as they are. It rests with God ultimately, and His hands are large, gentle, and strong.

Galatians 1:15, 16a, 23, 24

This is a bit strange to contemplate, but the ways of the Lord are mysterious and this proves it, i think.

15 "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 to reveal his Son in me..."

23 "... they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me."

Now here is the strange part. The passage suggests both predestination and free will. God chose Paul and separated him out from the time he was in his mother's womb. On the other hand, Paul did not always do God's will -- he persecuted the church, killing many. This seems like an exercise in free will, no? Yet, this led to the greater glory of God. So did God separate him out from the earliest possible moment in order to persecute the church AND repent thus bringing God greater glory?

So then, (for the application) can we never know what action of ours, what trial we suffer through, is ordained of God? Do we look at even our failings, our sins, as points through which grace may abound? Certainly Paul would say (he did say) that we should not sin that grace may abound. But having sinned (and, really, who hasn't?) what do you make of it? In what way does your sin get turned into God's glory? I guess this is one of those making lemonade from lemons things, no?