“…even so, we have come to realize that a person is not declared righteous by God on the ground of his legalistic observance of the Torah commands, but through the Messiah Yeshua’s trusting faithfulness. Therefore, we too have put our trust in Messiah Yeshua and become faithful to Him, in order that we might be declared righteous on the ground of the Messiah’s trusting faithfulness and not on the ground of our legalistic observance of the Torah commands. For on the ground legalistic observance of the Torah commands, no one will be declared righteous.” Galatians 2:16 CJB
The CJB translation provides an even more pointed distinction in this verse than any other translation I am familiar with. The NIV translates the first part of verse 16: “a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ”, placing the emphasis on the believer’s faith. In contrast, the CJB places the emphasis on the “trusting faithfulness” of the Messiah, Jesus.
Mark relays the story of a demon possessed boy’s father who upon hearing that “All things are possible for one who believes,” immediately cries out: “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24. No doubt he keenly felt the inadequacy of his own faith especially in relation to the gravity of the task at hand. Our faith, if it is to have any kind of power, cannot stand alone. It must be tied on (or grafted in) to the faithfulness of Christ–the only One that has lived and lives the Life of Faith perfectly. For in fact, as the writer of Hebrews points out, He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Praise Him! We are never alone! Even in the conjuring of the faith we are required to have, it is He who has done the work of it.