The whole book has many great, encouraging words. A quote
from Piper about the purpose of this book is found on page 115, "I am writing this book – if by any
means I might come into the deeper experience of living by faith in future
grace, and take as many people with me as I can."
Another thing I like in this book, as well as others by Piper, is his
transparency when he shares about his life and often his struggles (and then
his victories) with getting a hold of wonderful truths and promises in God's
Word (Bible).
While I love John Pipers teaching, I have many of his books
and have listened to multiple sermons by him, my only problem is I find his
large books (like this one with 400 pages) have a lot of repetition in them,
which to a certain extent is good.Repetition does help a point to sink in, but still a little too repetitious
in my opinion.The most incredible book I ever read by John Piper was "Finally
Alive" with only 208 pages, but it was incredible.
At over 400 pages, "Future Grace" is one of his larger volumes, and
while there is a lot of repetition, he really hits on a lot of aspects of grace.
In the process, he also covers a lot about faith and taking hold of the
promises of God.He even deals with the
sin of doubt in a very effective way.
This book should encourage you in many aspects of your
Christian walk and taking God at His word. If He made a promise to you in
scripture, it is a DONE deal in future grace.God's yes promises are yes, and we need to believe and take hold of them
with all of our hearts.As you read this
book, it may show you that you have not been taking hold of all the promises God
has for you by Future Grace.
This is a good book whether you read it quickly or take your time.I believe by the time you read the last page
(if not way before the last page), you will be able to say this booked enriched
my life and it was worth the read.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah
Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive
review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Before I get into my review
let me encourage you get this book! It
is so needed by Christians today.
My first thought in readying the title almost scared me away from this book,
just because seeing the word "orthodoxy" personally brings negative,
overly traditional connotations to my mind.
But then seeing "humble" in front of it got my curiosity, plus
I respect Joshua Harris as a Christian author and pastor. I'm
happy to have read this small book (61 short pages plus an
added beneficial study guide). If you're a Pharisee in heart you really
need this book, but likely won't want to read it. As stated in his forward to the book,
"Pharisaism is a poisonous weed that grows in every garden of orthodox
religion."
In this book the author, Joshua Harris, does not down play the importance of Biblical
truth, but stresses the importance of having the right spirit about these Bible
truths. The way in which Joshua uses "orthodoxy" is "...right
thinking about God. It's about teaching
and belief based on the established, proven, cherished truths of the
faith." I like that definition
of "orthodoxy." As he
expresses "humble orthodoxy" he says, "We must care about truth, and we must also defend and share
this truth with compassion and humility." He says, "We
don't get to choose between humility and orthodoxy. We need both."
He brings balance to the whole subject of "biblical truth" and
"humility." We so often get in the ditch of all Bible teaching
(doctrine) and not an ounce of love and humility, or we get in the opposite
ditch of all love, love, love and no concern or priority put on Biblical truth
(orthodoxy). As I stated earlier (and worth repeating), I so love how Joshua
says we need Biblical truth (orthodoxy) and humility, it's not either or, but
both!
As you prayerfully read this book, hopefully, you will see the need for both
and that they don't have to be viewed as oxymoron's, but can flow together.
In one to two short readings you will have read this short book. Even if you do
this book as a group, it is basically only going to be 4 sessions (utilizing
the study guide in the back of the book).
When you are finished you will have a lot to think about and pray about.
None of us has a right to be proud of the truth we do understand, even that
knowledge is all by God's grace! And
none of us has the right to dismiss/compromise the truth in the name of love or
humility.
As Joshua says, "We can demonstrate a humble orthodoxy, holding on to our
identity in the gospel. We are not those
who are right; we are those who are redeemed".
To that I simply say, "AMEN!"
I received this
book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
"Simply Jesus" is a book on really experiencing
Jesus in your life. That is not hard to do, as I believe this book shows.
This is a short book and easy read with only 62 pages, but
definitely worth the read.Many authors
would have made this a 200+ page book with lots of drawn out repetition.I like that this book said what was needed to
be said on this subject and did it in 62 pages.He enhances the book by telling some stories which is a good thing.He also makes it clear that this is a 24/7
lifestyle, and you won't experience Jesus in the way he talks about unless you
give your heart to the Lord 24/7.He
also shares how it is God working in us (grace) and not about our doing good
works.Fruit will always be the result of
a life in communion with Jesus (see The Gospel of John chapter 15 and Matthew
7:17 & 18).
In this short 9-chapter book you will find a wealth of good
information on knowing Jesus intimately mostly based on the truth found in
Phil. 3:7-11.
This book is NOT to short and does NOT need to be longer, it is just the right
length to get those wonderful truths into our hearts.
The only negative would be the use of too many versions of
the Bible and some weak paraphrases.
I received this book from
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.I was not required to write a
positive review.
Who ever wrote this did an excellent job and lots of scriptures. I can't really do any justice adding to it (so I didn't). I did bold,underline and color for emphasis. - Jim
"What is Regeneration?
Another word for regeneration is rebirth, from
which we get the phrase “born again.” To be born again is opposed to,
and distinguished from, our first birth, when we were conceived in sin.
The new birth is a spiritual, holy, and heavenly birth signified by a
being made alive in a spiritual sense. Our first birth, on the other
hand, was one of spiritual death because of inherited sin. Man in his natural state is “dead in trespasses and sins” until we are“made alive”
(regenerated) by Christ when we place our faith in Him (Ephesians 2:1).
After regeneration, we begin to see, and hear, and seek after divine
things, and to live a life of faith and holiness. Now Christ is formed
in the hearts; we are now partakers of the divine nature, having been
made new creatures. God, not man, is the source of this (Ephesians 2:1,
8). It is not by men's works, but by God’s own good will and pleasure.
His great love and free gift, His rich grace and abundant mercy, are the
cause of it and these attributes of God are displayed in the
regeneration and conversion of sinners.
Regeneration is part of
the "salvation package," if you will, along with sealing (Ephesians
1:14), adoption (Galatians 4:5), reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20),
and many other salvation concepts. Being born again or born from above
is parallel to regeneration (John 3:6-7; Ephesians 2:1; 1 Peter 1:23;
John 1:13; 1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18). Simply put, regeneration is God
making a person spiritually alive, a new creation, as a result of faith
in Jesus Christ. The reason regeneration is necessary is that prior to
salvation we are not God's children (John 1:12-13); rather, we are
children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3; Romans 5:18-20). Before salvation, we
are degenerate. After salvation we are regenerated. The result of
regeneration is peace with God (Romans 5:1), new life (Titus 3:5; 2
Corinthians 5:17), and eternal sonship (John 1:12-13; Galatians 3:26).
This regeneration is eternal and begins the process of sanctification
wherein we become the people God intended for us to be (Romans 8:28-30).
The Bible is clear that the only means of regeneration is by faith in
the finished work of Christ on the cross. No amount of good works or
keeping of the law can regenerate the heart which from birth is
“deceitful and wicked above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9). This concept of
the new birth is unique to Christianity. No other religion offers a
cure for the total depravity of the human heart, preferring instead to
outline an often massive body of works and deeds that must be done to
gain favor with God. God has told us, though, that“by works of the law
no human being will be justified in his sight”(Romans 3:20). Total
regeneration of the heart is necessary for salvation. Paul explains this
concept perfectly in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with
Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the
life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me.”
(Entire year of devotions is online for morning and evening of every day - FREE)
Spiritual Leprosy of All Sinners!
“Behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh,
he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague". Leviticus 13:13
Strange enough this regulation appears, yet there was wisdom in it, for the throwing out of the disease proved that the constitution was sound. This morning [today] it may be well for us to see the typical teaching of so singular a rule. We, too, are lepers, and may read the law of the leper as applicable to ourselves. When a man sees himself to be altogether lost and ruined, covered all over with the defilement of sin, and no part free from pollution; when he disclaims all righteousness of his own, and pleads guilty before the Lord, then is he clean through the blood of Jesus, and the grace of God. Hidden, unfelt, unconfessed iniquity is the true leprosy, but when sin is seen and felt it has received its death blow, and the Lord looks with eyes of mercy upon the soul afflicted with it. Nothing is more deadly than self-righteousness, or more hopeful than contrition. We must confess that we are “nothing else but sin,” for no confession short of this will be the whole truth, and if the Holy Spirit be at work with us, convincing us of sin, there will be no difficulty about making such an acknowledgment—it will spring spontaneously from our lips. What comfort does the text afford to those under a deep sense of sin! Sin mourned and confessed, however black and foul, shall never shut a man out from the Lord Jesus. Whosoever cometh unto him, he will in no wise cast out. Though dishonest as the thief, though unchaste as the woman who was a sinner, though fierce as Saul of Tarsus, though cruel as Manasseh, though rebellious as the prodigal, the great heart of love will look upon the man who feels himself to have no soundness in him, and will pronounce him clean, when he trusts in Jesus crucified. Come to him, then, poor heavy-laden sinner,
Periodically I
review a books for WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
This is my latest book review - I hope you find this helpful.
When I received Randy
Alcorn's book "90 Days of God's Goodness," I really wasn't sure what
I would think of it.The subject sounded
great, but you can't always judge a book by its title.Up to that point, I had only heard of Randy
Alcorn, I had never read any of his writings.As I cautiously opened this book (as I do with most books), I found it
was well written, theologically sound, and so full of nuggets of truth.The author also shares many personal
experiences of Biblical truths as they applied to his life and also the lives
of others.I find that reading one
"reflection" a day was sometimes not possible for me, I wanted to
read more.
This book gets "5
stars" from me, and I feel it would benefit anyone who reads it. ~I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
I also rate and review books from my personal library Here they are:
" For now I see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known". - I Cor. 13:12
I see through a glass, darkly/dimly (based on I Cor. 13:12)
We often find there are things in life that happen which we JUST don't understand. I have had my share of circumstances where I could question God on things that have happened in my life or around me. I could say, "Why did this happen, God?" With all my studying of the scriptures and what I believe the Bible teaches, I still have times where things that have happened just don't make sense; deaths, illnesses, accidents, relationship breakdowns, and the list goes on. We believe we know why some of these happen, but there are other areas where we just draw a blank. No matter how diligently we study the Word and seek God for answers, we often come up blank or assume the WORST, that God has failed us.
A close friend and I were discussing this issue. We began discussing "Christians" who have fallen away from the LORD; and in many cases, there is some ANGER and BITTERNESS with God over things that have happened in their lives or around them.
Without getting into ALL the theological debates of our often futile attempts to explain these things, I would like to personally share how I have dealt with these "Why, God?" areas in my own life. I feel this will HELP and ENCOURAGE some of you, and prayerfully, BRING SOME OF YOU OUT OF A BACKSLIDDEN STATE.
How I have dealt with this is so basic and practical, yet it has helped me stay in love with my LORD; therefore, I ask you to NOT take my answer too lightly. In spite of my knowledge of the Word of God and thinking I know what the Bible answer is for a given situation, I have learned to acknowledge that God is all-knowing and JIM is not. I see through a spiritual glass or mirror (Thank God, I see!), but ever so darkly, dimly. Now, in ALL my knowing, I ONLY know in PART a fragment of the Truth. But, Praise God, the day is coming when I will get to the other side and I will see clearly, knowing even as I am known! (I Cor. 13:12)
I exhort you today, do not get angry or bitter with God concerning things that happen in your life or around you; even if, because of your theological beliefs, you're convinced that you are SO RIGHT and God is so wrong. Let me submit for your consideration that your THEOLOGY IS WRONG if it justifies your anger or bitterness with God. It may not be until you get to the other side that you will fully understand how or why something has happened. But when that day comes, whether in this lifetime or on the other side, you will surely see that God was ALWAYS just. All things will then make sense and you will see that all anger and bitterness toward God was unfounded. You will then wonder how you could have been so foolish or blind as to think that being angry or bitter with God was appropriate.
So, if you have any area in your life (and I have many) that just makes no sense, a "Why, God?" area, please leave it alone. God in His time will give you the answer even if it is on the other side after your life on earth ends.
Do not let the incomprehensible get in the way of your love walk with Jesus!
If this lesson spoke to you, you may want to pray this prayer:
Heavenly Father,
There are things that have happened in my life, around me, and in this world that have made me angry or bitter with You. I ask You to forgive me for the anger or bitterness. I ask You to help me trust You enough to leave the incomprehensible happenings alone and for You to answer in Your time, even if that time is after I leave this world to be with you in Eternity. Let me ever remember that I see everything dimly and that I know only in part. Thank You, that someday all of this will make sense and I will see that You, never for a moment, stopped being a loving God.
Good place to reflect – I have taught 20 lessons on Galatians
(then took a month off).
This message is going to be dealing with "legalism" as
have many others, as this was the Galatian believer's problem.
I thought it would be good to start off with a good clear
definition of what legalism is, and then ask ourselves 2 questions as we start
back in our Galatians study (verse by verse).
Legalism defined:Legalism...is essentially any
attempt to improve on what God has done for us by adding things that we do for
Him... It is any attempt to earn approval from God with our imperfect
actions, rather than accepting and being pleased with the approval that He
freely offers us because Jesus has earned it for us with his perfect sacrifice.
Legalism is always doomed to failure because we are imperfect and the God that
we seek to impress is perfect. It robs us of peace and joy. (Definition by Mike
Taylor)
I think the
following statement by Jerry Bridges on legalism is worth our attention.
"Legalism
insists on conformity to manmade religious rules and requirements,
which are often unspoken, but are nevertheless very real… There are far too
many instances within Christendom where our traditions and rules are, in
practice, more important than God’s commands."
The question we must ask ourselves.
1. How many of us still have not come out of legalism?
2. How many of us are slipping back into legalism?
Legalism is always a step backward in your walk in Christ.
On the positive, praise be to God for those who are free and
staying free, AMEN!
Now, let's look at today's passage:
8 But then, indeed,
when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9
But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak
and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10
You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid
for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. Galatians 4:8-11
8
But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature
are not gods.
When they were ignorant sinners (before salvation), they had
served their false pagan gods (really demons). As
it states in 1 Cor. 10:20, “…what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons
and not to God.”
9
But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn [turn
is in present tense, meaning in the act of turning]
again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire
again to be in bondage?
Here
we are now looking at the Galatian believers (saved).
Knowing
God is not your great accomplishment, but the Lord’s doing. Our
knowing God is conditioned upon His prior knowledge of us. Paul makes sort of a
correction to his first few words, and to make sure there is no
misunderstanding, he makes it clear “rather are known by God.” God has taken the initiative in grace
to incorporate them into His family. We should be excited, not just that we
have come to know God, but that God knows us!!! (also see 1 John 4:10)
Then,
they go backwards to the weak and beggarly elements and become slaves
again!!!
They
were giving up the power of the Gospel for the weakness of law.
How
were they doing this?
By
putting themselves under the law. Then, it goes into specifics in verse 10:
10
You observe days and months and seasons and years.See Rom. 14:5-8
"One
of the tragedies of legalism is that it gives the appearance of spiritual
maturity when, in reality, it leads the believer back into a 'second childhood'
of Christian experience." (Wiersbe)
We
are not to legislate religious observances for each other. This is the way of legalism!
No
doubt the Judaizers were trying to convince the Galatians that their salvation was
not complete unless they honored Jewish holy days. WRONG!
WRONG! WRONG! If you think you are saving your soul or
growing in God’s grace by religious observances, then you are guilty of
legalism!
Legalism
caters to the flesh, leads to pride (look at what I’M DOING) and really makes
an outward observance replace the work that the Lord wants done in our hearts.
11
I am afraid for you, lest I have labored [literally
"to labor to the point of exhaustion"]for you in vain.
What
we proclaim from our heart of the Lord, even if people don’t listen, is never
wasted in His eyes. But how often are we afraid for the person falling
backwards? In the human sense it would
be in vain (wasted time).
Were these converts under Paul's ministry
in Christ going to go from having faith in Christ for salvation to putting
themselves under the law and legalism in their walk with God? To do so would be
a step backwards.
Closing
Illustration – The religious John Wesley, becomes the Christian John Wesley!
John Wesley was
an honor graduate of OxfordUniversity, an ordained
clergyman in the Church of England and orthodox in theology. He was active in
practical good works, regularly visiting the inmates of prisons and workhouses
in London and
helping distribute food and clothing to slum children and orphans. He studied
the Bible diligently and attended numerous Sunday services, as well as various
other services during the week. He generously gave offerings to the church and
alms to the poor. He prayed and fasted and lived an exemplary moral life. He
even spent several years as a missionary to American Indians in what was then
the British colony of Georgia. Yet, upon returning to England, he confessed in his journal, “I who
went to America
to convert others was never myself converted to God.” Later reflecting on his
preconversion condition, he said, “l had even then the faith of a servant,
though not that of a son.” Wesley tirelessly did everything he could to live a
life acceptable to God, yet he knew something vital was missing. It was not
until he went “very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street” one evening that he
discovered and claimed true Christian life. “I felt my heart strangely warmed,”
he wrote. “I felt I did trust in Christ,Christ alone, for
salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even
mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”He was no longer just a servant. Now, he was a son!
Closing
thought:
Whatever leads one away from sole reliance on
Christ,
whether based on good intentions (or
not), is of disastrous results.
Enjoy this 10 minute video on
Legalism
and what Christianity is really about!
As we close, I encourage you to grow in
the Grace and Liberty
only found through Jesus Christ!
To receive these devotional teaching as they come out please join our site.
Please also check out this new 33 minute movie 180 (dealing with Holocaust and Abortion) a must for all! Warning: Due to some graphic footage of the Holocaust some footage may not be appropriate for children - Thanks!
We made it!We are in chapter 4 (part 20) and I plan to do a study every two weeks during the summer, then in the fall we will go back to a weekly study and do so until we finish Galatians. - Jim
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements (basic principles- comparable to learning your ABC’s) of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Verses 1-3 cover man’s condition under the law (SLAVES)
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child (Gk. Nepios – child, infant or immature one), does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all.
It is important to learn our ABC’s (by the Law), but the man who sits in the library and cites the ABC’s instead of reading the great literature that surrounds him, is showing how immature and ignorant he is – this is NOT a God thing!
2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even though promised one day to be sons, as long as we were under the LAW BEFORE CHRIST came we were under guardians, tutors of the law and were in BONDAGE, but when Christ came we are free from bondage of the law and now are heirs (sons – by Adoption)
3 Even so we(or “so also in our case”),when we were children, were in bondage under the elements(basic principles- comparable to learning your ABC’s) of the world.
This was like going from childhood (under the Law) to adulthood (growing in Christ)THEN BACK to childhood /immaturity – legalistic bondage.
It is never God’s will that we go backward!
Verses 4-7 cover man’s condition in Christ (SONS - which is far better)
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son (shows preexistence of Christ), born of a woman(Jesus in his humanity),born under the law(a Jew), (vs 4) "fullness of time came" – This refers to that time when the world was providentially ready for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ (approx. 2000 years ago). The entrance of Jesus into the physical realm was not a random thing occurring at a haphazard time.
5 to redeem (to set free by paying a price) those who were under the law that we might receive the adoption as sons(Gk. Huios).
Note:The Greek word for a child or infant (Gk. Nepios v. 1) is different than son or adult son (Gk. Huios). Jesus redeemed us (PAID THE PRICE TO SET US FREE), not to makes us slaves but SONS!
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, Abba, Father!”
ABBA (in an Aramaic word) was equivalent to our calling our father “Daddy” or “PAPA” – this is when the relationship is special.
(Example: When my grandchildren (regardless of age) call me PAPA, those are the most beautiful words they can say).
So, as SONS, God looks for the day when we can call him Dad, Daddy, Papa. For one to address their father with the word “ABBA” is not so much associated with infancy (baby talk) as it is with INTIMACY.
It was used by Jesus – Mark 14:36 and as a proof of God’s Spirit in our life (also see Romans 8:14-16). These words “Abba” (daddy, papa) are the instinctive cries of a heart that has been touched by the Holy Spirit. It is the unique cry of a heart of a son of God (believers). 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave(under the Law) but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.(See Romans 8:17)
You are given the right to your inheritance once you go from child to adult.
When you think of it, what a tragedy to be bound by the law AND sin (again AFTER being saved). To be set free in Christ (Salvation/Grace), and thus, to move onto to maturity, only to have the Judaizers lead you back to under Law/legalism instead of growing in the GRACE and in the KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST.
Legalism is NEVER a step toward MATURITY but backwards.
In Closing: Praise be to God; no longer is your relationship to God determined by your race, rank, or role. No longer are you shut up in the prison house of sin. No longer are you under the curse of the law. We are sons of God by faith in Jesus Christ.
22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Galatians 3:22-25
In ending last week’s study in verse 21, the question was asked? Is the law then against the promises of God? Paul's answer was, "CERTAINLY NOT" or "GOD FORBID." While some may have thought or tried to accuse him of being AGAINST the law, Paul said: For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.In other words, there is absolutely no way to be saved by a "law."
The law and the promises are not in conflict because each has a distinct function; they do NOT have the same purpose. The law shows us WE ARE GUILTY before a just and holy God. Whereas, the promise(s) by faith in Jesus Christ shows us SALVATION IS OF THE LORD.
Note: To put it another way, our main problem is we have wrongly been taught to think the purpose of the law (especially the 10 Commandments) were given for us to keep them, and thus, go to heaven. NO! They were to show us we CAN'T keep the law. By showing us that we are doomed to fail in keeping all the law(s) (See James 2:10), we see that we desperately need to turn to God to save us, as it is not in ourselves to save ourselves. That brings us to verses 22-25. Let's take a look at today's passage:
22 But the Scripture [in this case the law] has confined (Gk. Sunkleio) all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christmight be given to those who believe.
Confined in the Greek is an interesting word, Sunkleio – to shut up, to confine [as in a prison].
23 But before faith came (Jesus our Saviour), we were kept under guard (Gk. Phroureo) by the law, kept for the faith (Jesus our Saviour) which would afterward be revealed.
The Greek word “kept” is from “phroureo,” which means “to guard” or "to keep inward under lock and key."Simply put: We were in the custody of the law.
So the law captured us; there was no escape. There was no way to get out from under the law, there was no way to bust out. We were sentenced, we were locked up.
Every man in the world is a prisoner of God's law, waiting on spiritual death row for execution as a law-breaker untilthe pardon is offered by faith in Jesus Christ.
The law shut them up (as in a prison) with only ONE way to escape, namely, faith in Christ.
24 Therefore the law was our tutor (Gk. – paidagogos)to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Paidagogoswas a slave whose duty was to discipline boys. The paidagogos was not the teacher (that's didaskalos in the Greek and would have been the word used if this was talking about a teacher), that's a totally different word), he was the guardian of young boys. He was not the boys' teacher, he was their disciplinarian. It's a very important point. Thus, the word refers to a guardian of a child rather than to a teacher or schoolmaster.
This is one of the purposes of the law, to create in lost sinners a sense of guilt and need. The law has performed its purpose: the Savior has come and the "guardian" is no longer needed.
25 But after faith has come (Jesus our Saviour) , we are no longer under a tutor (Gk. – paidagogos).
If there is a point you must grasp out of these lessons it is this. We can't preach the message of grace until we've preached the standards of God because grace means nothing until people understand that they've broken the law, and have NO hope of keeping it (100 % guilty before God).
The day that you fell on your knees before Jesus Christ and received Him as Savior, the law had done its work. You saw your sin, you came to Christ.
In a nutshell, these verses plainly explain: 1. The purpose of the Law (convict us). 2. The ONLY way to Christ (faith).
I would like to close with this example as shared in “Our Daily Bread” written by D. C. Egner
“THE MIRROR, FLASHLIGHT AND PLUMBLINE” Therefore, the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). The law has never saved anyone, and it never will. God did not give it to redeem us from sin, but to show us our need of salvation. That's why the apostle Paul called it "our tutor."In an unforgettable sermon, evangelist Fred Brown used three images to describe the purpose of the law. First, he likened it to the small mirror dentists use. With the mirror they can detect cavities, but they can't drill with it or use it to pull teeth. The mirror reveals the decayed area or other abnormality, but it can't fix the problem.Brown then drew another analogy. He said that the law is also like a flashlight. If the lights go out at night, you use it to guide you down the darkened basement stairs to the electrical box. When you point it toward the fuses, it helps you see the one that is burned out. But after you've removed the bad fuse, you don't insert the flashlight in its place. You put in a new fuse to restore the electricity.In his third image, Brown likened the law to a plumbline. Builders check their work by using a weighted string. If this plumbline reveals that the work is not true to the vertical, the plumbline cannot correct it. The builder must get out a hammer and saw.Like the mirror, flashlight, and plumbline, the law points out the problem—sin, but it doesn't provide a solution. The only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law. Only He can save.
That brings this week’s teaching to a close. During the summer we will do a lesson every other week.
I look forward to taking you further on this Journey of Faith. I pray that you are no longer a prisoner to the law.
I hope you have allowed the law to serve its purpose of showing you your guilt, and driving you to faith in Jesus Christ.
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
We have learned in the past lesson that our spiritual inheritance is not based on our performance. Our spiritual inheritance is based on God’s promise.
This week’s question: What purpose does the Law serve, if Christianity is all by promise and faith!!!
I would have to say I went many, many years NOT understanding what the answer to that question was. Here in today's passage we have the answer to that question :-)
Let's take a look at today's passage:
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed (Christ) should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator (Moses).
What purpose then does the law serve? In this passage that is THE BIG QUESTION! "...It was added because of transgressions..." The Law is to make transgression known.
Why the law? 1. It was added because of transgressions. See Romans 5:20 which says, “the law was added so that the trespass might increase.”The law brings sin to light in our lives with an overwhelming sense of damnation and wrath. You see the law was not designed to lead us in another way, but to point us back to Christ as the only way.
The problem is not the law, but our sinful disobedience that the law brings to light and further exasperates in order to show us how hopeless we are apart from the interposition of divine grace. God always intended to save by grace apart from law. God gave the law in order that it would condemn all, and thus, prepare negatively for redemption on the basis of faith. The law was not given to make alive – Galatians 3:21. The law entered, then, that it might fail. It has by the great mercy of God directed us back toward salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone.
2. The law was added until the seed had come. The law had temporary parameters and limited duration. "...until the Seed (Christ) should come TO WHOM the PROMISE was made..."
The law was only meant to last “until the Seed” (Jesus) had come.
It was not forever to rule us, as the promise was to forever to bless us."
3. The law was not on the same par as the covenant of promise because it was handed down by angels (Acts 7:38, 53 and Hebrews 2:2) with a man (Moses) acting as a go between.
“it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator (Moses).”
John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
The purpose of the Law of Moses was not to justify humankind in God's eyes (2:16). Rather, the law was added after God's promise to Abraham (v. 16, 17) to clarify the issue of sin until Christ the Seed (v. 16) came.
The law was NEVER intended to stop sin in the world or to save you.
But what the law did do was show man his desperate need for God’s grace and a Savior.
It is not enough that something is free—it must also be NECESSARY.
When I see a sale in a store or an ad, it may be a real bargain, but I pass up the purchase because it serves no real usefulness and I don’t see the NEED! The fact that the gift of salvation in Christ is free is not enough to compel men to accept it. Men must first be convinced/convicted by the Holy Spirit of their need of salvation before grace is recognized as a desirable solution.
The Law was given to bring men to the point of recognizing their NEED for grace.
20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. He (God) alone can apply that plan in accordance with the terms He established – promise, faith, and grace rather than law, works, and ceremonies.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! (Gk - me genoito) For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.(See Galatians 2:21)
You can almost hear the Judaizers shouting at Paul, "Is the law then against the promise of God?"
Is the law therefore against the promises of God? Paul’s answer is absolutely not. “Absolutely not” in the Greek is me genoito– it conveys horror and shock at the very concept under consideration. The thought that God’s law and promises are contrary to one another is UNTHINKABLE to Paul. The REAL ISSUE is that the law by nature was NEVER to save.
Example: The law is like a mirror that helps us see our "dirty faces." James 1:21-25. But you do not wash your face with the mirror. The mirror (the law) doesn’t take the dirt away, it just lets you see you are dirty!
The Law’s purpose was to demonstrate that man is unable to please God by his own works. The Law showed us how imperfect we really are. The Law leads us to the conclusion that we can never make it on our own.
We eventually see that we need Jesus more than anything.
The law was not designed by God to give eternal life and righteousness. Rather, the law showed humanity's need for the promise of life through faith in Jesus Christ (v. 9; 2:16), having confined all people under their sin (see Rom. 3:23; 6:23).
Closing thoughts: If a law could have been given that “could impart life,” then Jesus need not have gone to the cross. If law could impart life, then righteousness would have come through law. But, no law could impart life. No law could pay the price of our sin. All the law could do was EXPOSE our sin.
When we finally see ourselves trapped in sin, it is then we can put our trust in God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ ALONE!
CONCLUSION:
1. You can never fully appreciate the blessings of God’s grace and mercy until you see yourself against the backdrop of the law.
2. When we see how much the law had enslaved us; we appreciate how fully God’s grace has delivered us.
3. When we see how completely the law had condemned us, we appreciate how freely we’ve been forgiven (through Jesus ONLY).
4. When we see how trapped we were under the law, we appreciate how free we are under God’s grace.
Praise God on June 21, 1975 – I saw my desperate state and need for a Savior – And His name is Jesus Christ.
The law is to reveal sin and cause men to see their need of a savior. Its purpose is not to try to achieve salvation by keeping the law"all under sin." Galatians 3:22.
The law imposes a curse on everyone who does not obey it perfectly, which is to say, everyone.Everyone (NO EXCEPTIONS)who has been declared righteous before God (Jew or Gentile) has come into this relationship through faith in Jesus Christ and not by observing the law.
Question: Have you believed (complete trust and abandonment) on the Lord Jesus Christ?
I also pray that if you have lived a legalistic, works kind of contact with God, that the Lord will set you free to live a faith-filled, loving relationship with God through our living Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!!!
THIS CONCLUDES THIS WEEK’S TEACHING.
I look forward to questions, comments, and testimonies from you.
