Promise of Faith

To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Paul spends significant time discussing Abraham. In fact many of the New Testament authors looks back to the Patriarchs because of their spiritual significance in the plans of God. Here, Paul is showing the importance in understanding the promise of God and the law of God.

We Are Saved By the Promises of God

Lean on the Promises of God

Paul starts this section as an example of the ideas that came earlier in ch 3

This primary idea is that we are not saved by works of the law, but by faith.

Paul brings out the idea that once a covenant is made, it is not broken.

As a side note this is something we need to remember more today, especially when it comes to the contract of marriage. It is not just a contract but a covenant.

More so, what Paul is saying when a covenant is made, even a human covenant is made, it will not be changed when it is ratified.

How much more is a promise or covenant made by God to be unaltered.

What we see here is that one covenant does not discount another. As Christ said he did not come to abolish the law, but to complete it.

We Are Saved By the Promises of God

Live According to the Law

Abraham was given a promise by God. He was saved through his faith. This promise came from his faith. The law did not do away with this saving faith. When Moses came 430 years after Abraham, these promises did not pass away. These aspects of God’s promises remained even under the law.

The law did not annul the promises made to Abraham.

The promise is not of the law, but that which was given to Abraham.

So if the law does not alter the promises of God, why is the law given.

This is made clear in v. 19

Galatians 3:19 ESV

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.

The law is given because of transgressions

Human kind was given direction on how to act and learn more about God

App: We see aspects of how to live from the law

Ill: We see principles to live by, its not that it saves us, but helps us live right. Jordan Petersons 12 Rules for Life, Tim Challis Do More Better, James Clear’s Atomic Habits

V20 brings out that an intermediary is needed, but God is the one.

God made a promise that only requires action on His side, he will give all of the promsises made to the decendents of Abraham, the spiritual children of God.

We Are Saved By the Promises of God

We Are Saved By Faith in Christ

All of these issues lead to verses 21-22 on what we need to know in our faith.

Galatians 3:21–22 ESV

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

There is no part that the law of God is in contrary to the promises of God.

The law of God is perfect to His will

It fulfilled a purpose for its time.

But the law condemned us because we were unable to meet the requirements of the law

So in the promise of faith we are saved by our faith in Christ

We are not saved in our actions, but we are saved in believing.

We Are Saved By the Promises of God

YOU

Lean on the promises of God

Live according to God’s law

We are saved by Faith in Christ

All of the commands and instructions of God are important, but we are not saved by works. We are saved by faith. As we leave here, let us walk and live in the grace of God.

Ill:

We Are Saved By the Promises of God

Let us remember that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the Scriptures alone, for the glory of God alone.

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