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.