August 4, 2019

God’s Law Lessons

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Passage: Galatians 3:15-18
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God’s Law Lessons

Galatians 3:15-18 (NASB)
15  Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.
16  Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ.
17  What I am saying is this: 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.
18  For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

  1. Understanding The Permanence & Priority Of God’s Promise 

Galatians 3:15-18 (NASB)
15  Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.
16  Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ.
17  What I am saying is this: 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.
18  For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

  1. Understanding The Limitation Of God’s Law 

Galatians 3:19-21 (NASB)
19  Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
20  Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.
21  Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.

Genesis 15:17-18 (NASB)
17  It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.
18  On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates: 

  1. Understanding The Intention Of God’s Law   

Galatians 3:22-26 (NASB)
22  But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23  But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.
24  Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
25  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.