Lesson 18  July 17, 2002

Review:

 

 

 

 

3:11-12  The blessing of faith 

It was by faith that men, like Abraham, were justified before God, not by law‑keeping.

 

“Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘the righteous man shall live by faith.’”

 

 

We must remember that faith is an active noun and speaks of believing in something, it is not passive. In fact faith-resting in the promises of God is not a passive thing at all. You need to know them and believe them and apply them.

 

Summary  3:11

1.  Paul demonstrates through this quote of Hab. 2:4 that even in the OT in the age of Israel, under the M/L salvation and the life lived before God was on the same basis, faith.

 

2.  Paul is really appealing to the harmony of Scripture. 

 

3.  The future of   za,w (zaw)  we shall live speaks of enjoying our new life in Him, in the time he grants to us and in eternity.

 

3:12    Law and faith are like oil and water,  don't mix.

Possibly Paul is responding to the input from someone that both faith and works were necessary for justification. 

 

 

 

However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM."

 

 

 

Summary 3:12

1.  Only perfect performance under the law could win divine approval. 

 

2.  No one, except for Jesus Christ ever fulfilled the law completely  Mt 5:17;  1 Pet. 1:19;

 

3.  Man's inability to keep the law completely demonstrates the futility of attempting to gain salvation by law keeping or any works from our own ability.

 

4.  Faith exhaled in the only one who kept the law completely, was without spot or blemish and therefore the only means of salvation.