"Love and Concern for Those Departing the Way of Grace"

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"Love and Concern
for Those Departing the Way of Grace"

Gal. 4:12-16    Lesson 22, 10-16-11 

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.

13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.

14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.

16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.

Paul is pleading with the Galatians to join him in rejecting the law as a means of being justified with God. Paul was a Jew by natural birth, but he had forsaken the law as a means of being reconciled to God. Therefore, he was living like a Gentile in that sense. He's saying, "be like me (free from the law) because that's the way you really are." See 1 Corinthians 9:21

The Galatians' tendencies toward legalism hadn't affected Paul. He was going to continue in grace.

Paul was in essence saying, "Why are you dropping out of the university of grace, and enrolling again in the kindergarten of the Law?"

13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first [visit].

What this "physical infirmity" was is not made clear in the Bible (though many think they know what it was), so I chose to leave it as is. I don't know what it was, but it was a "physical infirmity" of some sort. That is enough information for me to know that when the Galatians first met Paul his outward appearance was not good, but they didn't let that factor in.

Question: Do we allow someone's appearance affect how open we are to hear them?

Paul also said he was not eloquent in speech (see 1 Cor. 2:1). Historians usually say he was short and balding. Not quite your picture of most modern day tele-evangelists. We as a people can be really shallow when appearance factors into our receiving from someone. We do this with: Physical attractiveness, height, weight, speaking voice, charisma, etc. We may miss out on hearing from a man of God because of such thinking.

14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

They received Paul as an angel/messenger of God, as if Paul's words were straight from Christ Jesus (which in a real sense they were as Paul was the Lord's spokesman). What matters most is the message, not the messenger.

As we see in verse 14, instead of turning from him in disgust, as might have been expected, the Galatians had given most earnest heed to Paul's testimony for JESUS and had accepted the SAVIOUR with an enthusiasm that knew no bounds. They received Paul, prostrated with pain and weakness as he was, as an angel of GOD, as the personal representative of the Son of GOD Himself. How ingloriously, then, did their present apostasy contradict their early zeal for CHRIST!

15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? (or What happened to all your joy?) For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 

Legalism causes people to lose their joy. This is what happened to the Galatians. The NIV translates this phrase as, "What happened to all your joy?"

Their former state of JOY was caused by the fact that they responded to the doctrines of the grace of God in Christ.

Next, this verse talks about Paul's eyes. Whatever happened to Paul likely affected his eyes, and at one time they would have done anything for him, even given him their own eyes (if that were possible). This was the depth of their affection toward the one who had brought them the liberating message of salvation in Jesus Christ alone, but now they had turned away from him.

Note: Another possibility for this text is that Paul does not literally mean by these statements that there was something wrong with his eyes. Just as today when someone says, "I'd give my right arm for them," that doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong with the other person's right arm. This is just a way of expressing an individual's commitment to another person, even to the point of sacrificing a valuable part of his own body for the benefit of the one he loves. Likewise, Paul may just be saying that these Galatians were at one time willing to do anything for Paul; what had changed?

16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Those (Galatian believers) who had once been so very close and thankful for the message of liberty (grace) are now looking at him as an enemy for telling them the truth (in love).

They had become hostile to Paul.

"Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" How typical is this reaction to wholesome admonition of the attitude of men and women today! Regardless of how much he may need it, the average person resents correction. The servant of CHRIST dare not change his course with every shift in the wind of popular favor.

The truth isn't always welcomed, but it truly is love to tell a person the truth regardless of whether he welcomes it or not.

Question: Will you stand for truth even when those closest to you are going in the path of error?

A must listen to song here!

Until next time, walk in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

You Are All One In Christ Jesus - Gal. 3:26-29

REVIEW:
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).

Today’s lesson:
Galatians 3:26-29
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor
female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

26 For you are all sons (Gk. Huios – Someone of full age) of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Sadly, some translate this “children” instead of “sons.” The better translation is definitely “sons.” We are now sons (maturing, full-aged sons) and no longer needing a “tutor” (the law), but able to come to Jesus. We have gone from child/infant to a full-aged son.

Note: The Greek word for a child or infant (Gk. Nepios) is different than son (Gk. Huios). Who is he addressing here? Then he qualifies who it is (those sons of God)“…through faith in Christ Jesus.” This verse, these words are only meant for the believer (one who puts faith in Christ). This verse is NOT to be taken out of its context (as some have done) and teach Universal Sonship. Those ONLY are “…sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

ALL that are sons, are sons THROUGH FAITH (not works, laws, etc.) in Christ Jesus. Shortly, in v. 28, we will see that there are no distinctions.

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There are many ways baptism might and has been interpreted. But to stay in the flow of what the Holy Spirit is saying through Paul, I believe this is talking about our receiving salvation at the new birth (baptized into the body of Christ (i.e, placed). Greek Scholar Kenneth Wuest states: “The reference cannot be to water baptism, for that never put a believing sinner in Christ.” Also, it says in I Cor. 11:12 - For by one Spirit (Holy Spirit) we (believers) were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

We are baptized (immersed) into the Body of Christ. This happens at salvation (before we have even had a chance to be water baptized (which we are commanded to do AFTER salvation). We don’t come out covered in water, but covered and washed by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ).



We have “PUT ON” Christ. We have changed from spiritually filthy garments (Isa. 64:6) and put on new garments (we’re clean). We HAVE “put on Christ” and are new creations (II Cor. 5:17, 21 also see Eph. 4:24 & Eph. 6:14).

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Part of a good prayer for a Religious Jew went like this:
“I thank thee, God, that I am a Jew, not a Gentile, a man, not a woman; and a freeman, and not a slave.”

All three of those things are addressed in this passage.
1. RACIAL PREJUDICE
2. SOCIAL STANDING
3. SEXUAL DISTINCTION

Verse 28 spells out the implications of being in Christ.

As far as our standing before God is concerned, all human distinctions are done away with in Christ. This frees the Christian from seeking a superior spiritual status by striving to change his social, economic, ethnic, or sexual status. In Christ, human distinctions of man’s worth are abolished, thus, giving all Christians equality before God.

“…FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.” Amen!!!

NOTE:
While looking down upon a woman is wrong, Woman’s lib is wrong, too. Most women at some point in their life were treated disrespectfully by a man (anywhere from infancy to death). Yes, there are a lot of men who are jerks, BUT that does not eradicate God’s roles for a man or a woman. Male and female, husband and wife and their distinct roles are not bad. God made them (male and female, husband and wife) so BEFORE sin entered the world. So don’t say you have been cursed with being a certain sex, or in being married. Those distinctions are of God and good. Sin is the thing that has messed up our roles as male/female and husband/wife.

This is also true in your ethnic background accept it – don’t fight it. This is also true in social realm, too; you need to accept where you are and that you may never be up there with the “Jones” socially. Who cares, accept where you are and let God bless you there.

29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

IF one belongs to Christ I (that comes first) THEN one is Abraham’s seed.

If we’re all ONE IN CHRIST, then we, regardless of race, social standing, or sexuality are Abraham’s Seed. What did v. 16 say, but that Christ is Abraham’s seed, now that we are IN CHRIST, we too are by Christ, Abraham’s seed, and thus “…heirs according to the promise.” PTL!

As we are in Christ, the promise is ours. We become heirs of all the promises of God when we are in Christ. This, friends, is according to faith, not law or works.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father lead us into all truth, thy Word is truth. If in any area of our lives and beliefs (and traditions) we have been lead astray from your Holy Word (Bible), we ask that you would open our hearts and eyes to see the glorious Good News of Jesus Christ and to obey those wonderful truths. We pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

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 hope you have allowed the law to serve its purpose of showing you your guilt, and driving you to faith in Jesus Christ.

"The Law - A Death Sentence Ended Through Christ" Galatians 3:22-25

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 Christ might 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 until the 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.

Paidagogos was 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.

"Purpose of the Law" Freedom Series Galatians 3:19-21

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.

"The Changeless Promise" Galatians 3:15-18

Galatians 3:15-18
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but some may ask then what is the purpose of the law??? We will get to that next week. This study is one where we try to keep questions and comments to the weekly passage, but this is an open book study and reading ahead is a good idea as it will answer many, if not all, of your questions. Also, read Romans as it is a great letter that will give many answers to our questions on the law and on grace.

Review:
Paul takes the Old Testament, which the Judaizers claim to believe and study and use to support their view of works, and he turns it around to show them that the Old Testament, in fact, teaches salvation by grace through faith. If you go back through our previous teachings in this series, you will find Paul quoted MANY Old Testament scriptures to prove his points.

Let's take a look at these 4 verses in today's study.

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men [in a human analogy]:Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

In Genesis God made a promise to Abraham. This promise, or covenant as Paul called it here for the first time, was unconditional! No ifs, ands, or buts; no strings attached. When Moses delivered the law it contained burdensome requirements, a code of behavior that makes demands and issues threats. Quite a difference between a covenant promise and the law!

I here quote John Macarthur: “ Let me show you the difference [Abraham’s Covenant and Moses’ Law]. To Abraham, God said, "I will. I will. I will." To Moses, He said, "Thou shalt. Thou shalt. Thou shalt, or else." There is quite a difference. The promise set forth a religion for God; the law set forth a religion of man. The promise talked about God's plan, God's grace, God's initiative, God's sovereignty, God's blessing, God's promise. The law talked about man's duty, man's works, man's responsibility, man's behavior, man's obedience. The promise, which stood for grace, had only to be believed; the law, which stood for works, had to be obeyed. They were two different things.

Once a will or covenant (Greek diatheke) has been ratified (with Abraham), it cannot be altered. The covenant God made with Abraham is irrevocable, it can never be annulled or added to. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 4:29

16 Now to Abraham and his Seed (singular) were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds (plural),” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed (singular),” WHO IS CHRIST.

Christians are the spiritual seed of Abraham (see v. 29).

To avoid ANY misinterpretation of the word "seed," this passage clearly brings out that this passage was NOT referring to "seeds" as of MANY, but as of ONE. So NO spiritualizing this to be many seeds. And then it goes even further to say that this Seed is CHRIST, not the Jews, in this passage. So we see the PROMISE was made to Abraham AND Christ. This scripture makes that point clear!

Note: Thank God for the extra clarification of this verse or we would likely have many misinterpretations of who is the "seed."

17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.

Keep in mind the LAW (through Moses) did not come until 430 years LATER and that law CANNOT annul the covenant! The covenant still stands, it was NOT made ineffective by the law. The law did not replace the covenant!!!

The law, which was put into force after 430 years, could not override or annul the standing covenant with Abraham (see Gen. 15:18).

Thus, stressing the seniority of the Abrahamic covenant over the Mosaic law. For Paul, the law

was not merely a late edition in the history of salvation; rather it was completely different from the covenant God completed with Abraham centuries before.

18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

In this passage we just read, Paul shows the supremacy of the way of GRACE over the way of the LAW.

Our inheritance IN CHRIST is not of the law, if that were the case it would not be of promise. But it was given to Abraham BY PROMISE.

For Paul, it was crucial that this original covenant of promise be distinguished from the law of Moses. The law demands, “Do this!” The promise grants, “Accept this!” Paul drew the two into sharpest antithesis. If law…not promise; if works…not grace.

There is really not a whole lot of commentary or understanding of the original Greek to get this message. It's so clear! We sometimes make the Bible harder to understand than it has to be. This passage is a clear example of this.

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!!!

For some reason the 3 last blogs from this series are not showing. To view and read them go to:

Galatians 3:1-5: http://biblefood.blogspot.com/2011/04/freedom-series-stop-your-foolishness.html

Galatians 3:6-9: http://biblefood.blogspot.com/2011/05/who-are-sons-of-abraham.html

Galatians 3:10-14: http://biblefood.blogspot.com/2011/05/curse-of-law-freedom-series-gal-310-14.html

THIS CONCLUDES THIS WEEK’S TEACHING.

I look forward to questions, comments, and testimonies from you.

“The CURSE of the Law” Freedom Series Gal. 3:10-14

Galatians 3:10-14
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

In our last teaching we covered Galatians 3:6-9. We saw that Paul made it very, very clear to the Galatian believers and ALL present (Judaizers, etc.) that salvation has always been the way of faith. To prove this is so, he uses the most respected Jew in the Old Testament – Abraham. Then shows “…just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness…”.

Now that brings us to verses 10-14. Here we will cover the curse of the law.

Verse 10
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."

Paul is here quoting from Deut. 27:26 to prove his point!

Paul here teaches that the Law BRINGS a curse. He does NOT say the law IS A curse; rather striving for “salvation” by keeping the law is doomed for failure – 100% of the time.

Inevitably, the outcome of anyone who seeks the law to obtain righteousness, ALWAYS has a 100% chance of falling short of its demands. To fail in part is to fail in the whole. – As we have seen in Gal. 2:14-15 and also seen in James 2:10 - 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. And Gal. 2:16 “…by the works of the law shall NO flesh be justified”.

Verse 11
11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
“NO ONE is justified by the law…” This is makes it clear NO ONE!

Paul quotes Hab. 2:4 to demonstrate that a person can only be justified through faith.

Verse 12
12 Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them."

“…the law is NOT of faith…” The law and faith are NOT mutually compatible ways to God.

He then cites Lev. 18:5 to buy into one part of the law is to be indebted to do ALL the law.

To claim ANY righteousness apart from the Righteousness of Christ (II Cor. 5:21) is to be drawn into an entire system of LEGALISM, and thus GRACE is taken out of the equation.

Verse 13
13 Christ has redeemed (Redeemed = literally means, "Paid the ransom, buy out a slave) us [first person plural pronoun referring to both Jews and Gentiles] from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),

Paul here quotes Deut. 21:23 – “...he that is hanged (upon a tree) is accursed of God…”

Being under the curse through trying to be justified by the works of the law is contrasted with being blessed as a believer (v. 9). The quotation from Deut. 27:26 says that those who do not keep the whole law are cursed, proving that all are cursed who follow the law, because all fall short of the law's standards (see Rom. 1:17; 3:10, 23).

Just as II Cor. 5:21 says Christ became SIN for us (IN OUR PLACE).
So here it says Christ took the CURSE of sin for us (IN OUR PLACE).

Verse 14
14 that the blessing of Abraham [by faith NOT the law] might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Praise God the plan of salvation does not run on two tracks, one for Jewish people and the other for Gentiles. There is only one way for all and that is through faith!

Note:
Six things that Galatians show the Law CANNOT accomplish:
1. The Law cannot JUSTIFY the sinner (Gal. 2:16)
2. The Law cannot give man RIGHTEOUS standing before God (Gal 2:21)
3. The Law cannot give the gift of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:2)
4. The Law cannot guarantee our spiritual inheritance (Gal. 3:18)
5. The Law cannot GIVE LIFE (Gal. 3:21)
6. The Law cannot GIVE LIBERTY (Gal. 4:8-10)
(Taken from material gathered by Warren Wiersbe)

Praise God, the law has a purpose – It shows you are in trouble, you need help, and that help is only found in TRUSTING in Jesus Christ as your LORD and SAVIOR. AMEN!

So do you want to put yourself under the law? If you do so, you must keep every bit of it, which is impossible. BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!

Question: Have you believed (complete trust and abandonment) in the perfect one, the Lord Jesus Christ. Many others had experienced the brutal crucifixion, but none other was cursed on the cross for us but JESUS.

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.

“Who are the SONS OF ABRAHAM?”

Galatians 3:6-9
6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

In our last teaching covering Galatians 3:1-5 we saw that Paul made it very, very clear to the Galatian believers that they were saved not by the “works of the law, or by the hearing of faith.” Now, he takes it a step further and shows that the way of faith has always been God’s way, EVEN in the Old Testament. To prove this is so, he uses the most respected Jew in the Old Testament – Abraham.

Abraham believed in the Christ who was to come, just as we trust in the One who has already come.

Note: Paul references Abraham 8 times in chapter 3 and once in chapter 4. Understanding of Abraham is key to understanding righteousness by FAITH alone (not of works). The spiritually blind Jews of that day had never expected “Father Abraham” would be used as an example of salvation by Faith alone (not of works). Surprise, Surprise!!!

Verse 6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted (credited, or declared) to him for righteousness."

Believing in God resulted in Abraham being credited righteous.

Paul uses the truth that Abraham was declared righteous by “faith alone” in contrast to the Jewish (Rabbinic) belief that God blessed Abraham because of his meritorious deeds (a tradition of man).

In verse 6 Paul is quoting from Gen. 15:6 – “ And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” *before being circumcised*

Abraham “believed GOD” and it (his believing) was counted righteous, JUST LIKE the Galatians (gentiles), who through faith, not by doing deeds/works, were also made righteous.

Isn’t it amazing how clear things are in the Bible when our eyes are opened!

Note: There may be some repetition here, but I believe this is a truth we can’t spiritually afford to miss. I hope you’re getting it! Sadly, most “Christians” today have a works based relationship with God.

Verse 7 Therefore (consequently) know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

Only by FAITH is it possible to be “sons of Abraham.” The Jews didn’t like that!!! Paul’s words were a stinging rebuke to the false teaching of these Judaizers. Decent by bloodline does NOT create sons of Abraham in the sight of God. The thought that you could be of the flesh, from the lineage of Abraham (Jewish) and NOT be true “sons of Abraham,” and thus, have salvation from the Lord, was not what they wanted to hear or had been taught.

Even Jesus told the Jewish leaders who were against Him, “…You are of your father the devil…” (John 8:44)

What a shocker! You have to understand the Jewish people were very proud of their relationship with Abraham. The trouble is they thought their blood relationship to Abraham guaranteed them salvation.

NOTE: Do we not see this same problem today? People think if they are brought up in a Christian home that they are automatically Christian. In the Northeastern United States where I grew up, if you asked someone if they are a Christian, they usually say “I’m Catholic” and that comes to most by being born into it; or here in the south where I live now, the most common thing you will hear is “I’m Baptist” or some other denomination. *This is not a bash against Catholics, Baptist, etc. – My closest friends come from a variety of churches. But that wasn’t the question!!! I asked if they are Christian!!! Christians are not born that way and you aren’t Christian just because you go to a church. ALL Christians at some point yielded their lives to Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It has well been said, “God has NO grandchildren.”

Then verse 8:
Verse 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."

God did and continues to justify all who come to Him by FAITH ALONE.
You could be a “Gentile” (non-Jewish) and by FAITH be “sons of Abraham.” Thus, the Lord said to Abraham, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."
(See Genesis 12:3)

Verse 9 So then, those who are of faith [including Gentiles]are blessed with believing Abraham.

The believing (of faith) Gentile is as equally blessed as the (of faith) believing Jew.

By “Belief in God” – Meaning those who have entered into a real relationship with God as master of their lives, not just head knowledge (mental-assent) that we see so common today.

For more on this topic (Abraham and faith) in the holy scriptures, please read all of Romans 4. As some have put it, Romans 4 is the best commentary on Galatians 3.

Question: Are you among the true “Sons of Abraham”?

You are if you have 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.

Freedom Series: “Stop Your Foolishness!” Gal. 3:1-5

Galatians 3:1-5

¹ O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? ² This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ³ Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? ⁴ Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? ⁵ Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

As we start this new section of Galatians (Chapters 3 and 4), we will get into the Biblical doctrinal position and the Gospel of Grace.

These two chapters should set you and me free from any form of legalism or self-centeredness in our Christian life. May we all grow as we study these next 60 verses.

Today, we will see some questions Paul asked these Galatian believers.

He was having them evaluate the foolishness of their being influenced by the Judaizers, who falsely taught that salvation required not ONLY faith in Christ, but also circumcision and keeping of the law.

As we look at this verse-by-verse, I will try to accurately expound on these verses based on the Greek (New Testament originally written in Greek) and in the context of scripture.

¹ O foolish (Gk. Anoetos - stupid) Galatians!

[Question One] Who has bewitched [fascinated by emotional appeal of Judiazers] you that you should not obey the truth [that is the pure Gospel], before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed (plackered, announced on a poster) among you as crucified? Answer: Judaizers (and their own stupidity).

Check out brain before entering Church
(nothing preached is to be questioned – NOT!)

Verse One: In the Greek “foolish” is the word “Anoetos” – It is meaning that the Galatians were being foolish/stupid because they weren’t thinking this through scripturally!!! They were getting misguided by Judaizers. Letting themselves get sidetracked from the very clear message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified that they had received when Paul preached to them.

Application: Watch your “emotions” or “anything” that is getting you off the PURE Word of God. We need to be careful! Don't Check Your Brains OUT at the Door. We aren’t supposed to be “stupid” and swallow everything we hear hook, line and sinker when we go into a church or hear a sermon. We need to be like the “Berean” believers who, after hearing Paul preach, it says, “…searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (See Acts 17:11)

²[Question Two] This only I want to learn from you (we would say, answer this one question) Did you receive the Spirit by the works (legalistic observance) of the law [Answer: An obvious NO], or by the hearing of faith? [Answer: An absolute YES]

The Galatians had to agree that they received the Holy Spirit as a free gift of God from the sovereign God apart from any good works or human merit on their part. Faith was awakened in their heart through the preaching of the gospel (by the Bible). It is so important that we preach the Bible that faith may arise in the hearers heart (See Romans 10:17).

³[Question Three] Are you so foolish (stupid)? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect (complete, brought to spiritual maturity) by the flesh?

“…made perfect by the flesh…” In other words, by your own human effort!!!

Anytime you start in the Spirit and go back to the flesh, which is trusting in yourself, i.e., it is independent reliance on one’s own accomplishments rather than trust in the Holy Spirit. When that happens, you are going backward not forward!

⁴[Question Four] Have you suffered so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? They suffered ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in vain!!! All they had suffered/experienced in and for Christ was NOT IN VAIN and they knew it.

Their salvation was a work of Christ from beginning to end!

Don’t fall for legalism to grow spiritually, it won’t happen!!!

This brings us to our fifth and final question!

⁵[Question Five] Therefore He who (constantly) supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles (Gk. Dunamis – elsewhere translated “Power”) among you, does He do it by the works of the law [no], or by the hearing of faith?— [yes]

The Galatian believers had to remember how they came into their relationship with God (Christ) in the first place, which was by a work of the Holy Spirit. The evidence of the Holy Spirit changing them and doing miraculous things in their lives was clear! It didn’t happen by the law, and it won’t happen by the law. But it is and always will be by the hearing of faith (the Gospel).

What can we learn for our lives from this passage.

1. We can start right – Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and go backwards and try to get “closer” to God by works!!! I would venture to say when you and I got saved (by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ), we did so of a pure heart. THEN others (in the church, or so-called Christians) said you needed to DO MORE! Thus, was the beginning of a love relationship with God turning into a sad, miserable, and legalistic relationship with God. It is so sad to see the life of God sucked out of a new believer by legalism.

Note: This is absolutely NOT saying we can live a life of sin. A true Biblical salvation experience will ALWAYS lead to a changed life!!! (Ezekiel 36:26, 27 & II Cor. 5:17) Sin will lose its overwhelming power over you (you are no longer a slave to sin, but to righteousness - Romans ). I like to tell people when we get saved (and as we grow spiritually) God will change our “WANT TO’s.” We will find we no longer “want to” sin. We “want to” live in fellowship with God, not out of legalism, but out of a love relationship with God. ISN’T THAT AWESOME!!!

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 hope to get questions, comments, and testimonies back from you all.

Paul Takes a Stand (No More Racism) - Galatians 2:11-14

NOTE:

In verses RED is actual verse,

BLUE is my inserted thoughts for clarity,

and Green is the Greek meaning, not always seen in English.

v. 11-12

Now when Peter had come to Antioch [third largest city in the Roman Empire with a half million people] at this time , I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed [this shows us Paul’s Apostolic authority]; for before certain men came from James, he would eat [love/agape feast] with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew (Gk. Hupostello – In the imperfect tense meant gradually) and separated (Gk. Aphorizo – Complete and final separation) himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

PETER’s PRESPECTIVE:

Peter came to Antioch and, at first, he was enjoying 

fellowship with his Gentile brothers disregarding the

old taboos. He shared the common meal with his 

Gentile brothers.  It was all cool and good to eat

together until some strictly Jewish Christians from

Jerusalem came across Peter in Antioch.  Then, 

Peter “withdrew” in the Greek it meant he 

gradually pulled away from eating with the

Gentiles. Also, the word “separated” in the Greek 

meant a final separation from eating with Gentile 

believers.  

Peter let them (Jewish believers) get to him and he 

FEARED them.  Knowing they did NOT approve 

of a Jew EVER eating with a Gentile 

(even if both are saved – hmm!)

Peer pressure (in the form of FEAR) got the best of

him.  

Peter, so to speak, folded under the pressure (fear).

THOUGHT: Do we let the “fear of man” influence us 

in how we act or who we hang out with.

Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a snare.”

Peter knew Gentiles could be saved – Acts 10, and in

Acts 15:9 he stated that God had “…put no

difference between us (Jews) and them (Gentiles).”

So his behavior of no longer eating with Gentiles was

nothing short of being hypocritical.

v. 13-14

And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward (lit. walking straight) about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all [public rebuke, not private], "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles [Peter no longer observed Jewish food regulations] and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

PAUL’s PRESPECTIVE:

Paul could not allow Peter to do this. It was hypocritical

on Peter’s part, and because of Peter’s role (influence)

in the early church, his hypocritical actions could lead 

others astray.

Although Peter was a leader of the church, he was 

acting like a hypocrite.  He knew better, yet he was 

driven by fear of what others would think. 

Paul knew that he had to confront Peter before his

actions damaged the church.  

Paul did not wait to correct Peter.  It made no 

difference to Paul that it was “one of the pillars”

of the church – Peter!  

It was wrong, and that was all that mattered to him. 

A famous name can never justify an infamous 

action to the point that other Jews believers

followed Peter’s (poor) example, and

EVEN Barnabas was influenced. (v. 13)

THOUGHT: Today, we see many high-profile 

ministers who are almost considered above 

correction.  The name of the minister or fame

of a Christian does not make them exempt from 

living Christ-like.  We need to stand for the

truth regardless of who it is that is promoting error.

With the acceptance of Christians being either 

Jewish believers (plus keeping the law and traditions)

and also of Gentile believers being Christian

(but not required to keep the law and Jewish traditions),

resulted in two distinct classes of Christians

(Jew believer more looking down on Gentile believer)

in the church.  Not a good thing.  This is a real problem

today, too.

Example: I see Jewish believers (original branch) acting 

like they’re one up on Gentile believers (grafted into 

the branch).  I think it’s great to see Jewish believers, 

but that doesn’t make them one up as believers 

because they are Jewish.  Also, people do this regarding

tongues or no tongues, water baptism sprinkled or 

immersed, etc, etc.  We will have varying views on

“non-essentials”areas, but we do need to stop making

these distinctions points of division, or acting like one is

a better Christian than another because of his

NON-ESSENTIAL beliefs.  

BOTTOM LINE WE ARE ALL SAVED BY GOD’S 

GRACE – NO CREDIT TO YOU!

It could not be right that the Gentiles come to God 

by grace and Jews come to him by the law. For Paul

there was only one reality - GRACE.

A church ceases to be Christians if it contains 
clas
s (or race) distinctions.

Three practical truths we learn from this passage are:

1. Great leaders can fall - May God help us to test every 

message we hear by His Word, and help us from

exalting ANY human leader above measure.

2. God’s grace means no second-class Christians - 

May we never distinguish in the body of Christ 

those of different social status, race, or anything else.

3. Standing for the Gospel can be lonely – Paul stood

alone here.  History shows many great Christian 

leaders stood alone.

So, we conclude this week’s lesson

on Galatians.

This coming weekend we will cover

Galatians 2:15-21 (conclude chapter 2).

Do invite people to join us at: http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/

or on FB go to the group: “Galatians Study”

Comments welcome!