As you study the entire book of Galatians, you'll understand why Paul scolded the Galatian Christians so sharply. They had drifted from the Gospel, which is the Word of faith, which they had received. Some false teachers came, telling them that they had to also obey the Law of Moses to be justified, and they accepted this deception. When Paul heard all this, he asked them, "Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?"
He wanted them to remember how they received the Holy Spirit; it wasn't through obedience to the Law, but by faith in Jesus Christ alone. The salvation they had received didn't happen by keeping the Law: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Your righteousness and right-standing with God aren't the results of your good works; they're by the faith of Christ, the result of what He did.
Galatians 2:16 says, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." God's righteousness was credited to you and imparted to your spirit by your faith in the God that justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:5). It was by faith that you received eternal life and the Holy Spirit to live in you. Therefore, keep hearing the Word of faith, and don't be swayed from the truth of this glorious Gospel you've received.
Confession
I thank you Lord for the righteousness I've received; the righteousness which is by the faith of Jesus Christ, to stand in your presence confidently without fear, inferiority, guilt or condemnation. I have no confidence in the flesh because you are my justifier. Hallelujah!
