Gal. 3:6-29
1. The Example of Abraham
6Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith… 16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise… 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
• Abraham is presented as the example of salvation in the OT
• Abraham was chosen by God and become the father of the Jewish nation
• Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness
• Abraham is a prototype for all who would come to God by faith
• God made a Promise/Covenant with Abraham
• It is this covenant that was inaugurated by Jesus and sealed by the Holy Spirit
• When we believe the gospel we are following the example of Abraham who believed the promise of God
2. The Promise of God
16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise… 21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law…29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
• The Promise/Covenant supersedes the Law
• The inheritance depends on God’s promise
• The Promise is based on grace
• When we belong to Christ we are heirs of the Promise
• We belong to Christ when we respond to His grace with faith and receive His promise of salvation personally for our lives
3. The Purpose of the Law
10All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree…17What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. 21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law…23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
• When we try to come to God on the basis of law we are under a curse
• The Law demands perfect and continual obedience
• Law is in contradiction to faith
• Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law
• The Law was added because of transgressions
• The Law is a tutor to lead us to Christ
• The Law is no longer our supervisor
• Our relationship with God is based on the “by grace through faith” principle not on law
4. The Blessings of Believing
6Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. …11Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”…14He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit…22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. 26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus
• We are declared righteous by faith
• Faith is the basis for receiving the Abrahamic blessing
• The righteous live by faith
• By faith we receive the Holy Spirit
• We receive God’s promise by faith
• Faith sets us free from the Law
• We are sons of God through faith in Christ
Faith is accepting that God’s Word is true. His promises are truer than our feelings or our perceptions. We live by faith when we relinquish our autonomy and surrender to God and the authority of His Word. Salvation and transformation are by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.