Why the Law?

Intro: Recap what we’ve talked about.

The Authority of the Gospel

The Gospel comes from Christ, not from anything else.

Paul’s testimony

The Gospel has power in the world

Justification and tribalism

Justification is being made right in the face of God.

Tribalism is only associated with people like you

How do you become a Christian

By faith alone

Without works

Through Christ alone.

Define the Law

The law was a covenant that God gave Moses and all of Israel, it was a system of rules and regulations that were supposed to make people right before God.

The Law is not the first covenant that God gave.

Define covenant: A binding agreement.

Gen. 15, Abraham’s covenant

Therefore, Paul says that the covenant of Abraham was not gotten rid of, because it was one of the first covenants.

If the covenant of Abraham was then taken by the Law, then the covenant with God would be only based on who could fulfill the Law perfectly.

And none of us can fulfill the Law perfectly. Vs. 22 says that the entire world is shut up under sin so that none can follow the Law perfectly.

The Law is a mirror. (19-22)

Rules don’t change hearts

Don’t think of a zebra

What are you thinking of right now? A zebra!

We don’t follow our own rules, or our own law.

So, you can’t change your heart because of the Law.

Romans 5:20-21 “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The Law acts as a mirror in that it shows you that you aren’t good enough.

The Law means that you don’t have the ability to compare yourself to other people

You’ll always be better than the people you can compare yourself to, but the Law brings the focus on you. It shows you your faults.

The Law points us to Christ.

When we know that the Law can’t save you, but it can point out your failures, we can use the Law for its ultimate intention,

It can point you to Christ!

If we make the Law a way for us to be right with God, you will fail.

But, if you look at the Law as the mirror that shows your sin and your need for a Saviour, that guides you to Christ

Therefore, if you put your faith in God and follow Him, there’s no other identity that you could have.

Jew, Greek, white, black, slave, free, child, adult, dumb, smart, none of it matter!

You are a son or daughter of God because He adopted you through His sacrifice on the cross.

Questions.

If you could live in one different universe (book world, movie world, Marvel, etc) what would it be?

Why are we incapable of following any law?

Read Galatians 3:19-22. How does the Law act as a mirror?

Does this mean that you don’t have to follow the law at all anymore?