As we come to the middle of chapter 3, Paul turns his attention from what faith does for us and toward what the works of the law can never do for us. Paul is essentially setting up for us a clear contrast between those who live their lives by trusting in the work of Jesus on the cross for their salvation and those who are going to try to do something to earn and to secure their salvation.
- Those who rely on their moral works to be right with God
do not experience but a .
- For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” – Galatians 3:10
- Those who rely on their moral works to be right with God do not operate by but by the power of their .
- “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” – Galatians 3:11-12
- Those who rely on their moral works to be right with God do not rest in the of God in Christ, but in and .
- “To give a human example, brothers; even with man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. ” – Galatians 3:15
- “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. – Galatians 3:16
- “This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.” – Galatians 3:17-18
- Those who rely on their moral works to be right with God always their .
- “Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.” – Galatians 3:19-20
- Those who rely on their moral works to be right with God are not , but due to sin.
- “Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. ” – Galatians 3:21-22
Through faith in Jesus Christ God performs a spectacular !
- “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us – for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. ” – Galatians 3:13-14