Lesson 22 July 28, 2002

Review:

3:17 Conclusion of the argument begun in vs:15

What I am saying is this: This tells us that he is drawing a conclusion.

the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

In giving the law God in no way intended in any way to annul the promise.

The Law does not invalidate the previously ratified promise.

Summary 3:17

1. Paul makes his argument here in context [vs:15-17] from the lesser to the greater.

- If this is true, that is, the permanence of a legally ratified covenant, in human relations than it is even more sure in respect to God and His promise.

- It’s a character issue! He would be more true to His promise because of His essence than man could. Veracity, immutability.

2. Think about it, if the M-law was able to invalidate the promise made to Abraham it would render God a liar not only to Abraham but also to his progeny by faith and to his seed, Jesus Christ.

3. What the Judaizers had argued in their presentation to the Galatian churches was that if you desire to partake of the covenant of promise you had to obey the law.

4. In doing so they missed the very basis or foundation on which the covenant was made with Abraham, faith. Gen. 15:6

5. Being a partaker of the Abrahamic Covenant has always been based on grace through faith.

6. In this context Paul has been giving a basic theology course concerning salvation:

a. Who = all nations/peoples. 3:8

b. What = redemption from the curse of the Law by Justification by faith. 3:13; 2:16

c. When = at all times by faith. 3:6,17

d. Where = the cross. 3:14

e. Why = curse of the Law. 3:10

f. How = faith in Jesus Christ. 2:16;

g. Results = heirs of the promise (3:29) as sons of God (3:26).

Justified and declared righteous!

7. All questions about salvation are answered by faith, none by works.

8. Legalism seeks to work for something that is provided by grace through faith.

Biblical Faith Some Basics

Hebrews 11:1 reads, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Faith means learning to trust God for what we cannot see with our visible eyes.

It means learning to think and act on the principles and promises of the Word regardless of how things seem to us.