Independence from the Law - Galatians 3:10-14

I want to ask you today, what does it look like to be free?

to be really free is to be able to choose for ourselves.

You see anyone who is truly free knows that all freedom costs something

On this wonderful Independence day weekend we celebrate the freedom that we have in this great nation.

The honor that it is to live in a place where we can still for the most part be free.

I think of Independence the term independent by definition is “to be free from outside control”

The sort of Independence I want to talk about today is a freedom from the law of sin.

Galatians 3:10–29 KJV 1900

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Think of this, a convicted man enters a courtroom for stealing.

He stands before the judge, “how do you plea?” the judge asks.

The man, beginning to seat knowing he was guilty begins to say the word.

“I am gui......)

but suddenly, a man takes the fall for him and is punished in the place of a thief.

it would have been justifiable for that convicted man to be found guilty.

But, somehow he wasn’t.

Now as most of us know in a courtroom setting this would never happen.

we could not expect to be set free for something we have done.

But according to Paul we will be justified by or in other words righteous by faith in Jesus Christ.

The world cannot make us righteous.

The law cannot make us righteous.

Paul here was discussing the mosaic law not because the law was inherently wrong, but because people were depending on the acts of the mosaic law to draw near to Christ.

The truth is that nothing can draw us near to Christ except faith in Christ.

When we choose to believe in him and then follow in repentance we receive his most wonderful gift of grace.

At that point friends we are justified, we are set free from the law of sin.

Romans 8:2 KJV 1900

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Now you may say, Paul seems against the Mosaic law here.

The truth is Paul is not against the Mosaic law, he simply knows that we as people are weak in the flesh and we need a savior.

When Jesus came he gave us an opportunity to live for him through our faith and repentance.

I. We are Independent

Thankfully Christ jesus has made us independent of the law.

Meaning this, the law according to Paul is cursed, meaning that grace did not cover mankind.

But now, instead of having to come to the father in a certain manner and certain time and place under the law of Grace our sins may be covered by Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is to say that if we choose to follow him in faith and repentance we are independent from the law.

We live by grace.

Think of what Christ did for us.

he gave us an opportunity to live for him by going directly to him.

Every single time we pray our prayers go directly to the thrown room of heaven, where God the Son is our advocate and God the father hears our pleas.

If you are saved today you have been Justified/ made righteous.

Galatians 3:11 KJV 1900

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

The rabbis at this time were still teaching people as though grace did not exist.

They were pinning people down to the mosaic law as though Christ had never came.

But friends, coming to know God was simpler at this point than it had ever been in the past.

The people had a Segway directly to the thrown of God.

For us today this still means that if we believe in him and follow him in faith and repentance we justified by faith.

Think of one of our opening thoughts, many have died for our national freedom.

We are celebrating our independence because someone gave up their life for us to be free.

The same goes for our spiritual life, someone (his name was Jesus Christ) gave up all so that we could be free today.

Paul told us in verse 23-24

Galatians 3:23–24 KJV 1900

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The law kept mankind until Christ came.

But under the law of grace we are justified by faith in Christ.

II. Are you Justified?

In asking are you Justified what we really are asking is if you have allowed Christ Jesus to make you righteous today.

As we stand here today has there ever been a time in your life in which you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

You see under th e law of grace we do not live by works.

Meaning as much good as you think that you may do that will not justify you?

You cannot spend eternity with Christ based on what good you do.

In the same way, our past evils are not indicative of our current faith.

Really what is at play here is that we do no to live on a points system.

I buy the person behind me a coffee, one point closer.

I honk at someone in traffic, one point farther away.

I give to a homeless shelter, that orta be worth 5 points?!

If we are trying to justify ourselves by anything besides what Jesus Christ did on the cross of Calvary we are wasting our time.

Here is the truth.

Galatians 3:13 KJV 1900

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Meaning Christ has fulfilled the promise given, he has came as the one who would die on a cross that was made by a tree to redeem us from the law.

III. Acting like we are enslaved?

What I really wonder is why are so many still wondering as though they are enslaved.

In placing us in two categories today.

Perhaps, you are one who has followed Jesus with your life.

Is it possible that you think what Christ has done for us is insignificant?

Perhaps you live as though nothing happened, you think that you are saved and good to go.

Friends, I am afraid that their are many out there who have been given a false sense of salvation.

When we choose to live for him by faith, we are expected to act like it.

We are expected to bare the fruit of a Christian.

Jesus himself taught Matthew 7:16

Matthew 7:16 KJV 1900

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

If your life doesn’t indicate Jesus Christ within it.

If he is not radiating from within you.

Who are you really living for.

But perhaps you are watching today and you are not saved.

Perhaps today you realized that you have been going about it all wrong.

You have been thinking about what you could do to get to heaven and not what hew did for you.

You say, I am a pretty good person.

I don’t steal, i haven’t killed anyone, I even try not to lie.

Friends, that isn’t enough to get you into heaven today.

What you do is insignificant.

The reason it is insignificant is that he has already given the ultimate sacrifice.

he died on a tree so that we may live.

As we begin to apply this today I want to ask you once again, what does it mean to be independent?

True independence is when we are no longer held captive.

We are free.

Today I pray that you are free in Christ Jesus your Lord.

I pray that you have been acting as someone who is free in Christ Jesus.

If you haven’t today my friends is the day to begin a new life for Jesus Christ our Lord.

Don't delay, begin to follow Christ today.

I invite you commit yourself to him and be made free today.