Purpose of the Law
Notes
Transcript
INTRO
The First week we started a series called Galatians.
We talked about how The Good News is only found in Christ
The Good news is only found in the Grace of Jesus.
Last week we talked about the Hypocrisy of Peter and the Accountability Paul had.
Peter was not allowing Gentiles to live in the freedom of Christ
Paul held him accountable for it.
This week we will be in: Galatians 3
We are going to be looking at the purpose of the Law.
Let’s pray
BIBLE
The last two weeks have been all about Grace. Understanding that we are saved because of grace and through grace alone.
Paul was explaining this again (in a funny way to me) at the beginning of this chapter.
But he gets to this point where he uses their knowledge and history as proof that grace has always been an attribute of God and always a part of God’s plan.
Galatians 3:6-7 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.
Abraham - big deal to bring up
Known as “The Father of Faith”
trusted God’s promise above all odds
believed He would have a son despite his old age
Was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac.
He is also famous for this verse Paul is quoting (Genesis 15:6)
Paul then wants to connect the dots for the readers
v.7
Then he points out the power of that statement.
Galatians 3:8-9
8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Scripture foresaw - to “foresee” or “foresaw” means to have insight or knowledge ahead of time, often by divine revelation or prophecy.
What did it foresee? (Gentiles being justified by faith)
this is important because this is a reminder that ever since the fall of man, Jesus was the answer, and gentiles were included in that.
So (therefore) those who rely on faith, are just like Abraham.
That would have been a HUGE deal to the Jews listening to this being read.
He makes one more major point when it comes to the law, and then asks three questions. But let’s take a look at his last major point.
Galatians 3:17-18
17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
The Law introduced 43- years after Abraham would have been the Mosaic law
It does not set aside (or remove) the covenant (God’s promise) to Abraham.
What was that promise? Being made righteous by faith.
V18 sums it up perfectly.
If we have to uphold the law to be made right then God’s promise was for nothing.
Similar to the argument last week that Jesus would have died for nothing.
Not we get to the two questions, and the first major burning questions as we talked about Grace vs Law for the last two and half weeks.
Galatians 3:19-20
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
The big question, why was the law given at all?
It was added (put in place) because of sin
The Law showed people what sin was so they could recognize their need for forgiveness.
Romans 7:7 - What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.
“The law was intended to reveal sin in its true character as transgression.”
So why was the law given?
It was to point out our sins, until the Seed (capitalized) had come. (Jesus)
“God’s covenant with Abraham was an unconditional promise of blessing; the law resulted only in cursing. The law demonstrated the unworthiness of man to receive free and unconditional blessing. If man is to be blessed, it must be by the grace of God”
Paul then asks the second question.
Galatians 3:21
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
Is the law opposed (against) the promise of God?
Absolutely not.
How is the law part of God’s plan?
To demonstrate that we need grace because we will never be righteous based on the law (our own actions)
Paul gives an illustration that was so eye-opening to me.
Galatians 3:23-24
23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.
We (Jews) were held custody (required to obey) the law
UNTIL – big word
The faith that was to come would be reveled
Then he uses this illustration
The law was our Guardian
“a person who has the care and charge of a child”
Question for you
What laws do you give your child?
Why do you give your child those laws?
Show them right from wrong
Protect them from consequences
Helps teach healthy relationships
The law served that same purpose.
Showed the jews right from wrong
Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Protected them from consequences
Proverbs 3:7-8 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Helps teach healthy relationships
The Law includes commandments that promote justice, fairness, and love toward others
But the law wasn’t the final, the end all.
The law also pointed to Jesus was our ultimate salvation.
V24 – The law served as the guardian, until Christ came.
Galatians 3:25
25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
