Titled - "Legal Troubles"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Inherent within The Law is a problem that is nearly insurmountable. While it adds some substance to the Jewish faith, it also obliterates “faith!” The Abrahamic Covenant is integral with the Jewish faith. It is impossible to separate the two, but not because the Law has added anything to God’s promises within the covenant.
We must remember the Abrahamic Covenant, like all of God’s seven covenants of the Old Testament, is all about God provisional overwatch of the Jewish nation. Now, if anyone can tell me how mankind can add anything to God’s promises, please let me know.
We can argue that the Law is good for mankind, but it was not part of the Covenant. It’s a good reminder is God’s provision and supply in the Garden of Eden: Two trees, don’t eat the fruit of the one. Everything else Adam and Eve needed was provided by God. But when Satan came crawling, he put doubt in Eve’s mind, and she told that old serpent, “Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it lest you die.” Yet God never said it could not be touched.
We understand that adding to God’s word was wrong, but from man’s point of view, it was meant to keep them away from the temptation to taste of that fruit. A scary consequence was added to God’s word to keep the first couple away from the fruit of that tree. Suddenly, man’s understanding of God’s provision was altered. In this case, the Law is good! But it is not based in faith, but in man’s ability to use avoidance to keep himself from the temptation. This stipulation adds a layer of protection for man, but adds nothing to God’s Promise, and adherence to this “law” becomes a “good work.”
So, how then is the Law good, if it puts stipulations on God’s promise? Is not God forgiving? Are His mercies not new every morning? If we break this man-made Law, will God not still be faithful to His promises to us still? And now, we see why God told Adam that “The Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” was deadly to mankind, because it creates a false sense of guilt, hindering a pure faith in Him.
“…If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” - Revelation 22:18b
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
Galatians 3:13-29 - "Legal Troubles"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
Last week, Paul began by addressing the Galatian believers, asking them to consider whether they are truly walking in the Spirit or if they are trying to be justified by their own efforts under the law. He explains that if we relied on human works, the grace of God would be lost. This message hits home for us because it reassures us that our standing before God is not based on our performance. Instead, it is entirely a gift of grace—a grace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, just as it was for Abraham. We learn that the promise made to Abraham was not dependent on the works of the law; it was given on the basis of his belief. That promise, Paul reminds us, extends to all who believe, whether they are Jew or Gentile.
Paul goes on to quote Scripture, emphasizing that the blessings given to Abraham were intended to be for everyone. He reminds us that “Blessed be the man who trusts in the Lord,” a truth that holds regardless of our background. The key point Paul makes is that the inheritance promised to Abraham comes through faith. For us, this means that our salvation is secure when we put our trust in God’s promise, not when we try to earn His favor by obeying the law. In reflecting on this, we can see that our faith in Jesus liberates us from the endless cycle of trying to measure up to standards that are impossible for any of us to fully achieve on our own.
Furthermore, Paul explains that the law was given 430 years after God made His promise to Abraham. This timing is significant because it shows that the law did not originate the promise, but rather it was added later to guide people until Christ came. The law was like a tutor, teaching us about sin and our need for redemption. For us, this means that while the law exposes our shortcomings, it also points us toward the grace that we receive through faith. The law’s role was to make us aware of our need for a Savior, and in that awareness, we find the wonderful truth that Jesus has already paid the price for our sins.
Paul also addresses the issue of the curse that comes from disobedience to the law. He reminds us that Scripture says, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things written in the Book of the Law.” But thanks be to God, Christ has redeemed us from this curse by becoming a curse for us, so that the blessing of Abraham might come to us through faith. This powerful truth underscores that our freedom in Christ comes not from our ability to perfectly obey the law, but from the redemptive work of Jesus. When we understand that Jesus has taken on our curse, we can live with gratitude and joy, knowing that our righteousness is not earned—it is a gift bestowed upon us because of His sacrifice.
Moreover, Paul makes it clear that the promise of God is based on faith and is an everlasting covenant. The inheritance of the promise is secured for those who belong to Christ, and it cannot be nullified by our failure to uphold the law. In our own lives, this means that our identity is not defined by our ability to keep every rule, but by our relationship with Jesus. We are children of the promise, heirs to the blessings that were promised to Abraham. This perspective frees us from the heavy burden of legalism and encourages us to live in the liberty of the gospel.
Paul further explains that the Spirit, given to us by faith, testifies to the promise of God. We are not justified by our works but by our trust in God’s Word. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that our spiritual transformation is an ongoing process—one that is continually powered by the Holy Spirit working in us. This transformation is not achieved by human effort alone, but by surrendering to the grace that flows from our relationship with Christ.
In summary, Galatians chapter 3 calls us to recognize that our justification before God comes solely through faith—faith that connects us to the promise given to Abraham and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The law served its purpose as a guide to reveal our need for salvation, but now that the promise has been realized in Christ, we live under a new covenant of grace. This grace transforms us from within, uniting us as one family of believers regardless of our background, and freeing us from the impossible task of earning God’s favor through our own efforts.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Being Made a Curse for Us (3:13) - By bearing God's wrath for believers' sins on the cross, Christ took upon Himself the curse pronounced on those who violated the law.
It is Written (3:13) - The common NT way (sixty-one times) of introducing Old Testament quotes. Deuteronomy 21:23 is quoted.
The Blessing of Abraham (3:14) - Faith in God's promise of salvation.
Promise of the Spirit (3:14) - From God the Father. Cf. Isaiah 32:14; 44:3; 59:19-21; Ezekiel 36:26, 27; 37:14; 39:29; Joel 2:28,29; Luke 11:13; 24:49; John 7:37-39; 14:16, 26.
Brethren (3:15) - This term of endearment reveals Paul's compassionate love for the Galatians - which they may have begun to question in light of his stern rebuke.
Manner of Men . . Man's Covenant (3:15) - Even human covenants, once confirmed, are considered irrevocable and unchangeable; how much more a covenant made by the unchanging God (Malachi 3;6; James 1:17).
Seed (3:16) - The quote is from Genesis 12:7. The singular form of the Hebrews word, like its English and Greek counterparts, can be used in a collective sense. Paul's point is that in some OT Passages (Genesis 3:15; 22:18), seed refers to the greatest of Abraham's descendants, Jesus Christ.
Promises (3:16) - Those associated with the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:3, 7; 13:15, 16; 15:5, 18; 17:8; 22:16-18; 26:3, 4; 28:13, 14). Because they were made both to Abraham and his descendants, they did not become void when Abraham died, or when the law came.
Four Hundred and Thirty Years (3:17) - From Israel's sojourn in Egypt (Exodus 12:40) to the giving of the law at Sinai (1445 B.C.). The law actually came 645 years after the initial promise to Abraham (c. 2090 B.C.; cf. Genesis 12:4; 21:5; 25:26; 47:9), but the promise was repeated to Isaac (Genesis 26:24) and later to Jacob (c 1928 B.C.; Genesis 28:15). The last known reaffirmation of the Abrahamic covenant to Jacob occurred in Genesis 4:2-4 (c. 1875 B.C.) just before he went to Egypt - 430 years before the Mosaic Law was given.
The Covenant (3:17) - The Abrahamic covenant.
Confirmed Before by God (3:17) - Means "ratified." Once God ratified the covenant officially, it had lasting authority so that nothing and no one could annul it. The Abrahamic covenant was unilateral, eternal, irrevocable, unconditional, but its complete fulfillment awaits the salvation of Israel and the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Because of Transgressions (3:19) - Paul's persuasive argument that the promise is superior to the law raises an oblivious question: What was the purpose of the law? Paul's answer is that the law reveals man's utter sinfulness, inability to save himself, and desperate need of a Savior. It was never intended to be the way of salvation (cf. Romans 7:13).
By Angels (3:19) - The Bible teaches that angels were involved in the giving of the law, but does not explain the precise role they played.
Concluded All Under Sin (3:22) - The Greek verb translated "confined" means "to enclose on all sides." Paul portrays all mankind as hopelessly trapped in sin, like a school of fish caught in a net. That all people are sinners is the express teaching of Scripture (Romans 3:19; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalm 143:2; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:9-19, 23; 11:32).
Before Faith Came (3:23) - From the viewpoints of both the history of redemption and through all times in the area of individual salvation, only saving faith unlocks the door of the prison where the law keeps people bound.
Kept Under the Law (3:23) - Paul personifies the law as a jailer of guilty, condemned sinners, on a death row awaiting God's judgment (Romans 6:23).
Faith...Revealed (3:23) - Paul was looking at the coming of Christ, historically and at each believer's salvation, individually. Faith in Christ alone releases people from bondage to law, whether the Mosaic Law, or the law written on the hearts of Gentiles (romans 2:14-26).
Schoolmaster (3:24) - The Greek word denotes a slave whose duty it was to take care of child until adulthood. The tutor escorted the children to and from school and watched over their behavior at home. Tutors were often strict disciplinarians, causing those under their care to yearn for the day when they would be free from their tutor's custody. the law was our tutor which, by showing us our sins, was escorting us to Christ.
Children of God (3:26) - While God is the Father of all people in a general sense because he created them (Acts 17:24-28), only those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ are God's true spiritual children. Unbelievers are the children of Satan according to Matthew 13:38; John 8:38, 41, 44; Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10; cf. Ephesians 2:3; 1 John 5:19).
Baptized into Christ (3:27) - This is not water baptism, which cannot save. Paul used the word baptized in a metaphorical manner to speak of being "immersed," or "placed into" Christ by the spiritual miracle of union with Him in His death and Resurrection.
Put on Christ (3:27) - The result of the believer's spiritual union with Christ. Paul was emphasizing the fact that we have been united with Christ through salvation. Positionally before God, we have put on Christ, His death, Resurrection, and righteousness. Practically, we need to "put on Christ" before others, in our conduct (Romans 13:14).
One in Christ Jesus (3:28) - All those who are one with Jesus Christ are one with one another in the faith.
Abraham's Seed (3:29) - Not all physical children of Abraham are the "Israel of God" (cf. 6:16), Gentile believers who are not physical children of Abraham are, his spiritual children in the sense that they followed the patter of his faith.
Heirs According to Promise (3:29) - All believers are heirs of the spiritual blessing that accompanied the Abrahamic covenant - justification by faith (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3-11).
No comments:
Post a Comment