The Promise Of God and the Reason For the Law

God Keeps His Promise

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.

16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.

17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

Paul points out that even in covenants made between people are not changed. Once they are ratified they are binding. This means the terms of the covenant cannot be changed. Once a person enters into a contract, that contract is legally binding.

God made a covenant with Abraham.

5 And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your [i]descendants be.” 6 Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

This is the contract

He said, “O Lord [k]God, how may I know that I will [l]possess it?” 9 So He said to him, “[m]Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he [n]brought all these to Him and cut them [o]in two, and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds. 11 The birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

This is the way a contract worked in Abraham’s day. They would cut the sacrificed animal into halves. They would put them on two separate altars and each party would walk between the halves. This would ratify the covenant. They were in essence stating that if either party violates the covenant that they would be put to death as the sacrificed animals.

Today we do not do anything that dramatic, but we do take covenants very seriously. If there is a breach of the covenant then there is a legal penalty that must be paid.

God does something very interesting in this covenant with Abraham.

17 It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. Genesis 16:17

God was the only one who passed through the sacrificed animals. Abraham fell asleep and did not pass through the sacrificed pieces. This is significant in that the covenant was only binding to God. What God was saying to Abraham is that I am obligating myself to make you a blessing to the nations. There is nothing that Abraham could do to attain what God promised. He could only believe!

That is what Paul is saying here to the Galatians and what he is saying to us today. There is nothing that you can do to earn your salvation. All you can do is believe in Jesus.

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His [a]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

So then why did God even give the Law to Moses?

The Law Points Us To Christ

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.

22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

The law was added because of the transgressions. God knew that man could not earn the blessings that God had in store for him. So what God did was set forth the Law to show man that he had to believe in God to receive the blessing. For no one can keep the Law. This is why Paul says that the Scriptures has shut up everyone under sin. We are all guilty of breaking the Law.

21 “You have heard that [k]the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be [l]liable to the court.’22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be [m]guilty before the court

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’;28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

33 “Again, you have heard that [ag]the ancients were told, ‘[ah]You shall not [ai]make false vows, but shall fulfill your [aj]vows to the Lord.’34 But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or [ak]by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Finally

48 Therefore [aq]you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

It is evident that we are unable to keep the Law. For none of us are perfect.

The fulfillment of God’s Covenant Came In Christ

Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law. He is perfect.

17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

Jesus is the seed that God told Abraham would be the source of blessing to all nations. Jesus died. on the cross for the sins of everyone. He did not just die for the Jews. His sacrifice on the cross was enough to pay the penalty for everyone’s sin.

2 and He Himself is the [b]propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the source of your eternal blessing. Because the Law points to our sin and the inherent death that comes from it, we see that our only hope can be the grace of God. God’s grace is demonstrated in the sacrifice of His Son. Just as He promised Abraham that he would be a blessing to all nations and there was nothing he could do about it, Jesus proved this to be true.

The Law does not bring the blessing. Jesus is the blessing!

No Longer Under The Law, But Sons Of God

The Law is the tutor that leads us to Christ. It reveals sin. The revelation of sin provides opportunity for repentance and salvation. Our salvation is our justifier. The penalty of our sin has been satisfied. Jesus satisfied it on the cross. It is enough!

We must have faith in Jesus Christ and not ourselves for salvation.

Not only are we saved in Christ but we become children of God through Christ.

14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery [g]leading to fear again, but you have received [h]a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

In Christ your everything changes. You are not Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, but we are all one in Christ. You are an heir according to the promise.