Galatians 3:19-22

                                                                     Galatians 3:19-22

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.  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.

The law was given for a purpose.  However, that purpose was never to provide a means of salvation.  Rather, it was to point people to Christ as the only means of salvation.  When people confuse the purpose for the law, they run great risk of becoming confused about how God promised to provide salvation.  Many Jews faltered under this confusion and now Paul is striving to prevent the church in Galatia from making the same mistake by pointing to the true reasons the law was given.

 

THE LAW REVEALES TRANSGRESSION: The purpose of the law has mostly to do with transgression or sin.  The law reveals the fact that we are transgressors.  Any time a standard is set and we fall short of that standard, it reveals the reality of our sinful situation.  The law also helps to curb the sinfulness of men in that it gives us a standard at which to aim though none of us could ever fulfill it.  The law was giving in preparation for the coming of Christ as the promised offspring of Abraham.  Once Christ came and fulfilled the law perfectly, it demonstrated the true standard of God and qualified Him to be the sacrifice for the sin of mankind.  Today as we look at the law, it should continue to reveal our sinful state, challenge us to live lives that are pleasing to God, but most of all it should point us to Christ as our only hope for salvation through faith. 

 

THE LAW REQUIRES CONDEMNATION: The problem with the law are the consequences associated with it.  All of us who break the law are condemned by the law.  We are sinners and condemned as such by the law.  The law has no ability to give life.  It only has the ability to show that we have no true spiritual life.  There is no way to be justified by the law because it can only condemn.  The Scriptures make it clear that all of mankind is under the blight of sin and only has the hope of salvation because of the Gospel.  Justification is made available through faith in Christ alone.  He is our only hope.  The law points us to Him.

 

APPLICATION: Look at the law for recognition of our sin and a motive to live in a way that is pleasing to God.  Recognize our failures and be eternally grateful to the Lord for His gracious gift of salvation through Christ.  Faithfully proclaim the Gospel of justification by faith so others might experience this gift of God’s grace.

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