Throughout chapters one and two of Galatians, Paul strongly defended the divine origin of his apostolic calling and the gospel of grace he preached, both of which had come under fire from the Judaizers. Then, in chapter three, verses 1 to 9, which is what we covered in our last study, Paul points out to the Galatians, how stupid they were in turning their backs to the gospel of grace alone and returning to a subtle form of legalism, salvation partly by grace and partly by their performance. He reminds them that Abraham, not the Judaizers, is the true father of the Jews. He is the true prototype of salvation for all men and he was justified by faith alone and nothing else. Now, in verses 10 to 14 of Galatians 3, Paul will contrast the false gospel that the Judaizers were preaching, salvation by faith plus works of the law, or the same thing, salvation by legalism, with the true gospel which is salvation by faith in Christ alone. This is the fundamental issue Paul is addressing in the whole of the epistle to the Galatians. It is a battle between the true gospel that Paul proclaims and the false gospel the Judaizers were preaching. As we study this passage, Galatians 3:10-14, it will become absolutely apparent that these two roads to heaven can never meet in partnership for they are two opposite methods of salvation. They totally contradict each other. They are mutually exclusive. With this in mind, let us start by reading Galatians 3:10-14. What is Paul saying here? “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. But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for the just shall live by faith. Yet the law is not of faith, but the man who does them shall live by them. 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), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” NKJV This is a passage full of meaning. “For as many as are of the works of the law.” Paul is saying here “All who rely on observing the law as a means of going to heaven.” The word “rely” means depending on the law or our observance of the law for salvation. The phrase Paul uses is “the works of the law.” It means using the law as a method of salvation. We would call that in English, “legalism.” Such people, Paul says are under the curse. Why? He quotes Deuteronomy 27:26 and what does that text say? It is part of the book of the law. It says, “Cursed is everyone who does not confirm all words of this law.” In other words, if you are trying to be saved through the law, the law demands from you two things. (1) It demands perfect obedience and (2) this perfect obedience has to be continual. We fall once and we have failed. That is what happened to Adam and Eve. God placed them in the Garden of Eden and gave them a commandment. The first time Adam and Eve sinned, they came under the curse of the law. If we want to be saved under the law, our performance has to be perfect and continual. As we know, this is impossible. Paul says in verse 11 of Galatians 3, “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident.” What is the evidence Paul is referring to here? It is basically two things. (1) It is evident from our own experience, if we are honest with ourselves, that our law-keeping is never perfect, that all of us are coming short in performance when it comes to our own good works. (2) It is evident also from Scripture. Let me remind you of two statements Paul made in Romans 3 where he concludes dealing with the sin problem. In Romans 3:9 he says, “What then? are we better than they?” The “we” is referring to the Jews and “they” is referring to the Gentiles. His answer is “Not at all. For we have previously charged (or proved) both Jews and Gentiles or Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.” Continue…
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 01:36:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015