Galatians 3:10-18

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Salvation is by Faith Alone, Not by Works of the Law

The curse of the law is removed only through faith in Christ. (Galatians 3:10)
The requirements of the law do not invalidate the promise of God. (Galatians 3:15-18)

“The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11) Why does Paul keep hammering at this theme?
What is the gospel that Paul preached, whereby men must be saved? In other words, how does someone get to heaven?
What did the false teachers of Paul’s day, the Judaizers, say about this gospel?
“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse…” (Galatians 3:10) What does this mean?
What is the “law” of Galatians 3:10?
What is wrong with trying to keep the ten commandments and the law?

Because justification is by faith alone, and people don’t naturally believe it – then or today.
In order to get to heaven, we must believe in Christ Jesus by faith. As the perfect Son of God, He went to the cross and died for the penalty of our sins. You have to receive Him into your heart and life by faith.
They said that it couldn’t be that simple. They said that you had to add the works of the law for salvation and sanctification.
It refers to those who try to obtain favor with God by keeping the law.
It is the ten commandments and all the other commandments of the Old Testament.
Nothing, except that it is not good enough for salvation, and it is humanly impossible.

“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’).” (Galatians 3:13) We have already seen that no one can obtain favor with God by keeping the law. So is all hope gone? Not at all! Christ kept the law perfectly when no one else could, and thus redeemed us from the curse of the law by going to the cross and dying as our substitute. Because He died for us, we are free from the curse of the law. How then are we then free? By believing and receiving by faith the finished work of Christ on the cross. The curse of the law is removed only through faith in Jesus Christ. Have you believed and received the work of Christ by faith?
Refer to Galatians 3:15-18. Paul continued his argument that by faith Abraham believed God’s promise. This promise was made 430 years before the giving of the law, so it was still valid and in effect when the law was given. And now the promises find their fulfillment in Christ and are thus in effect forever. God did not give the law as a way of salvation, for salvation comes by faith in the promise of God. The requirements of the law do not invalidate the promise of God. Salvation is in Christ (the Seed), and not in the law. Ponder this carefully, and thank God for His plan of salvation.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16) Inspiration is the process by which God superintended the writers and writings of Scripture. Paul believed in the verbal inspiration of Scripture, down to the very words and letters. Paul’s argument hinged on whether the word “seed” in the promise to Abraham of Genesis 22:18 is singular or plural. Note Galatians 3:16, “And to your Seed, who is Christ.” Do you believe in the verbal inspiration of Scripture? Believe it!

“No one is justified by the law in the sight of God…for the just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)
“…the blessing of Abraham comes upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14)
“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made…the Seed is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16)
“For if the inheritance is of the law it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” (Galatians 3:18)