GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 420 June 5, 2012
Paul's Rebuttal to Law Keepers
"You foolish Galatians…this is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" Galatians, Chapter 3, verses 1 & 2. (All Passages from the New American Standard Version)
Paul is pretty tough on Law Keepers; all of them. He explains that "God shows no partiality" (2:6). Paul notes that Peter was wrong to withdraw from the Gentiles, eating only with the Jews (2:12). And, Paul reprimanded the Apostles for their Jewish approach that neglected the Gentiles (2:9).
Then, Paul speaks straight forward on the subject, "Nevertheless, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus" (2:16). How can men today practice the Law and expect to be faithful?
Paul's words explained carefully how the New Covenant works; as well as, how it works in all men of faith, saying: "…through the Law, I died to the Law, that I might live unto God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."
Paul practiced the Law at one time – hating those who did not; but, he met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus and all things changed. By grace, Jesus has a way of changing the hearts of men (See Acts 9). After we meet the Lord, Jesus Christ, it is clear that, "…the Seed (Jesus Christ) had come to whom the promise had been made," Galatians 3:19b.
Following a changed heart, Paul served God apart from the Law. But, to explain why the Law was no longer in effect, he goes back to the promise to Abraham and makes the point of why faith includes both Jews and Gentiles. "…in Christ, the blessings of Abraham might come to the Gentiles…through faith," Galatians 3:14.
Both Jews and Gentiles are no longer under the La; it has been removed, having been fulfilled because Jesus paid the sin debt. That's why Jesus came into the world. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us - for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree," Galatians 3:13.
One of my favorite verses on the promise is found in Galatians 3:16. "Now the promises were spoken to Abraham AND TO HIS SEED. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as referring to many, but rather to one, 'And to your Seed' that is Christ."