Lead With Faith

Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

We were created to have a particular type relationship with God. A Faith Relationship!

Have you ever really listened to the marriage vows.

Very Traditional

I give you this ring, wear it with love and joy. I choose you to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as we both shall live.

More Contemporary

To be my wedded wife. With deepest joy I receive you into my life that together we may be one. As is Christ to His body, the church, so I will be to you a loving and faithful husband. Always will I perform my headship over you even as Christ does over me, knowing that His Lordship is one of the holiest desires for my life. I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, my tenderest care. I promise I will live first unto God rather than others or even you. I promise that I will lead our lives into a life of faith and hope in Christ Jesus. Ever honoring God's guidance by His spirit through the Word, And so throughout life, no matter what may lie ahead of us, I pledge to you my life as a loving and faithful husband.

Non-Religious

When I first saw you I fell in love with you. The way you walk and how you say I love you. Your adorable little nose and that twinkle in your eyes. I cant wait to do life with you. Lets give it a try!

You see the first two deal with a Relationship. The first one was implied, the second was clearly spelled out.

However the third one was void of the words of a true relationship.

A. There is no relationship possible with God through the Law

The Law sits clearly between God having a personal relationship with man (Adam and Eve) and God regaining a personal relationship with man (At the Cross).

Before I begin let me make it clear however that there is no conflict between the Law and The Promises of God as revealed in the New Testament.

Paul uses the words “Certainly Not”. This phrase is a stern dismissal that the law somehow wasn’t from God or was an error from God. The words actually mean “May it never be so” or “Perish the Thought”

It is in how they relate to Man within God’s plan that is in question.

You see it was never the purpose of the Law to bring life. The only way the Law could have ever brought Salvation was if it could be kept perfectly. But clearly makes that impossible.

Romans 8:3-*4

Romans 8:3–4 NKJV

For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The only thing the Law could do was offer a temporary blessing.

Deuteronomy 8:1 NKJV

“Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:21–22

But if the Law is not opposed to the promises, if there is no conflict between them, how can their harmony be demonstrated? By recognizing that while the Law could not justify or give life, it did prepare the way for the gospel.

1. Paul gives a clear picture of what the law does… look at verse 22

Scripture (The Law) has shown the world to be a prisoner of Sin.

Romans 3:9 NKJV

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

Romans 3:23 NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

But this wasn't a new path… Moses himself… said the same thing in the books of the law.

Deuteronomy 27:26 NKJV

‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ”

2. It was as a Guard to those before Christ came Vs 23

This means under the Protective Custody (Awaiting)

Awaiting the eventual Pardon

3. The law also was a tutor

Theres a duel meaning in this passage

a. The law was as an elderly slave who protected the children until Christ return

b. The Law was instruction that led people to Christ and His return.

BOTH however end the same way “eis Christon”, Until Christ Came”

A. There is no relationship possible with God through the Law

B. Faith leads us to the only way to have a relationship with God. Vs 26

You see Paul is writing to the area of Galatia to clear up this very issue. There were Judaizers who said the Law must be followed in order to have the Faith relationship.

(Warning: Some... use this as a reason to say that the Law is no longer relevant… wrong)

The Old Testament Covenant Law has been Fulfilled in Christ, We are under a New Covenant. But that new Covenant doesn't change the truth of the Law. Where before it was a

“Pathway to Faith it now stands as a testimony of Faith”.

The reason we don't impart the punishments that the OT demanded is because the Old Covenant system that involved such harsh punishments has been done away with. We are under a new covenant. We are under GRACE

Jesus said in .....

, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."

1. Our relationship is at the Highest level. We are His Children (En Christo)

I’ve listened to trivial conversations about how we should refer to ourselves.... some say the moniker of Christian has lost it’s meaning.... some believe the phrase redeemed may be better… others believe we should say Disciple.... How about if clarification is needed just proclaim that you are IN CHRIST

a. The believer's adoption as a child of God was determined by God from eternity:

Ephesians 1:5 NKJV

having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

b. This adoption is not the result of any merit on the part of the believer, but solely the outworking of God's love and grace.

Ephesians 1:7 NKJV

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

2. This relationship has a definite beginning (When we are Baptized in Him)

How are we to understand this?

It was the moment you stopped being a child

1 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 3

Christ is to you the toga virilis (the Roman garment of the full-grown man, assumed when ceasing to be a child)

3. This relationship with Christ opens us up to the larger Family and destroys all man made barriers.

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