Faith, Freedom, and the Fulfillment of the Law
Summary
In the exploration of the Christian faith, a deep dive into the teachings of Galatians chapter 3 verses 10 through 14 reveals a profound understanding of the relationship between the law and faith. The central message conveyed is that through Jesus Christ, the curse of the law is broken, and the Holy Spirit is given to those who live by faith, following the example of Abraham. This message is unpacked through a detailed examination of the scripture, which includes four quotations from the Old Testament, used to illustrate the transformative power of faith in Christ.
The law, primarily the first five books of the Old Testament, was given to the nation of Israel to guide their lives. However, the law's purpose is not to be the means of salvation but to reveal the character of God and the need for a savior. The law is described as a mirror, reflecting the true character of those who look into it, showing the imperfections and the need for cleansing. It is not the law itself that is a curse, but the reliance on one's own obedience to the law for salvation that brings a curse, as no one can fully live up to its demands.
The discussion delves into the historical context of the law and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. It is emphasized that the law demands perfection, but it is only through faith in Jesus and His grace that salvation is possible. The law says "do," but Jesus says "it is done." This distinction is crucial in understanding the Christian doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, as opposed to works.
The narrative also includes a personal story of Dr. Everick Storms, who read through the Bible annually for 27 years and tallied a total of 8,810 promises found in the scriptures. This anecdote serves to highlight the richness of God's promises and the importance of holding onto them in faith.
The transformative power of faith is further illustrated through the concept of the new covenant, as prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. The new covenant involves God writing His laws on the hearts of believers, giving them a new spirit, and putting His Spirit within them. This is contrasted with the old covenant, which was external and ultimately broken by the people.
The message concludes with a call to embrace the freedom and new life offered through faith in Christ. It is a reminder that salvation is not something that can be earned but is a gift from God, accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The law, while holy and good, serves as a mirror to reveal human imperfection and the need for a savior, rather than a means to achieve salvation. This understanding shifts the focus from human effort to divine grace, emphasizing the necessity of a substitute who can fulfill the law's demands on behalf of humanity. [58:33]
- Faith in Jesus Christ is the sole basis for salvation, breaking the curse of the law. This central tenet of Christian belief underscores the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the futility of attempting to earn salvation through adherence to the law or personal righteousness. [51:26]
- The new covenant, as prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament, internalizes God's law within believers through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This transformative work of God in the hearts of believers is a cornerstone of Christian theology, highlighting the intimate relationship between God and His people. [01:15:51]
- The concept of redemption in Christ is a powerful illustration of the gospel message. Jesus' act of becoming a curse by dying on the cross demonstrates the extent of God's love and the profound exchange that takes place at salvation—Christ takes on the curse of sin, and believers receive the blessing of righteousness. [01:10:58]
- The freedom and new life offered in Christ are not just theological concepts but are experienced realities in the lives of believers. The testimony of changed lives bears witness to the efficacy of Christ's work and the truth of the gospel, encouraging believers to live in the liberty and hope that come from being made new creations in Christ. [01:13:58]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Galatians 3:10-14
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Galatians 3:10 say about those who rely on the works of the law? ([50:35])
2. According to Galatians 3:13, how did Christ redeem us from the curse of the law? ([10:35])
3. What is the significance of the four Old Testament quotations used in Galatians 3:10-14? ([50:35])
4. How does the sermon describe the law's role as a mirror? ([58:19])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean that "the righteous shall live by faith" as stated in Galatians 3:11 and referenced from Habakkuk 2:4? ([01:00:04])
2. How does the concept of the law being a mirror help us understand our need for a savior? ([58:19])
3. In what ways does the new covenant, as described in the sermon, differ from the old covenant? ([01:15:32])
4. How does the personal story of Dr. Everick Storms and his tally of promises in the Bible illustrate the richness of God's promises? ([42:08])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the statement, "The law says 'do,' but Jesus says 'it is done.'" How does this distinction impact your daily walk with Christ? ([07:23])
2. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn. How does this truth affect your view of your own efforts and achievements? ([49:45])
3. The new covenant involves God writing His laws on our hearts. How have you experienced this internal transformation in your own life? ([01:15:32])
4. The sermon mentions that the law reveals our imperfections like a mirror. Can you identify a recent situation where you felt convicted by the law and how you responded to it? ([58:19])
5. Dr. Everick Storms found 8,810 promises in the Bible. What is one promise of God that you hold onto, and how has it impacted your faith journey? ([42:08])
6. The sermon calls us to embrace the freedom and new life offered through faith in Christ. What are some practical ways you can live out this freedom in your daily life? ([01:13:49])
7. How can you share the message of salvation by grace through faith with someone who believes in earning their way to heaven? ([48:52])
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting God's Holiness, Not Earning It
The law serves as a divine mirror, revealing our imperfections and the holiness of God. It points to our need for a savior, shifting our reliance from personal efforts to the grace of God. This understanding allows believers to rest in the finished work of Christ rather than striving for an unattainable standard. [58:33]
Habakkuk 2:4 - "See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness."
Reflection: How does understanding the law as a mirror change your perspective on your daily struggles with sin?
Day 2: Embracing the Sufficiency of Christ
Salvation is a gift that comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ, who has broken the curse of the law. This truth emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the futility of seeking righteousness through our own deeds. Believers are called to trust in what Jesus has already accomplished on the cross. [51:26]
Romans 4:4-5 - "Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness."
Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to earn God's favor, and how can you instead rest in the sufficiency of Christ's work for you?
Day 3: Internalizing God's Covenant
The new covenant prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament brings God's law into the hearts of believers. This internal transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to live in a way that pleases God, not through external adherence but through a changed heart. [01:15:51]
Jeremiah 31:33 - "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
Reflection: What does having God's law written on your heart mean for your daily life and decisions?
Day 4: The Great Exchange at the Cross
The gospel message is powerfully illustrated through Christ becoming a curse for us on the cross. This profound exchange—our sin for His righteousness—demonstrates the depth of God's love and the complete redemption available to us. We are called to live in the reality of this exchanged life. [01:10:58]
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: How does the reality of the great exchange influence the way you view yourself and your relationship with God?
Day 5: Living in Freedom and New Creation
In Christ, believers experience true freedom and new life, which are not just theological concepts but realities that transform how we live. This new identity empowers us to live in the liberty and hope of being new creations, no longer bound by the past but looking forward to what God has in store. [01:13:58]
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Reflection: What are some old ways of thinking or behaving that you need to release in order to embrace the new life Christ offers you?
Quotes
1) "The law just demands perfection. The law says you must do. Jesus says it is done for you. This is very different. Faith in Jesus, salvation through Jesus." [01:07:17] (Download)
2) "The righteous shall live by faith. Those who have been made right will experience eternal life through the work of Jesus Christ, by faith in the work of Jesus Christ." [01:01:17] (Download)
3) "The law is like a mirror. The law reflects reality. The law shows where the imperfection is. The law is meant to demonstrate to us that there's work that needs to be done." [58:33] (Download)
4) "The law is not the problem. The problem is us. The problem is our hearts. The problem is our performance. The promise is our inability to keep the law." [59:37] (Download)
5) "Old things have passed away. All things have become new. We could go around this room and have people stand and tell the story of how God has made you a new creation." [01:13:58] (Download)
6) "In Jesus, the curse of the law is broken and the Holy Spirit is given to those who, like Abraham, live by faith." [51:26] (Download)
7) "The law is good. The law is beautiful. The law is helpful. The problem is that the law is hard to live up to." [57:24] (Download)
8) "I will put my law within them. I will write it on their hearts, and I will become their God, and they're gonna become my people." [01:15:51] (Download)
9) "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How do you save? By calling on the name of the Lord, by trusting by faith in what Jesus has done for you." [01:17:55] (Download)
10) "Jesus is already across the finish line, and he gets a gold medal, and it's placed on his shoulders, and he takes that gold medal off, and he places it on your shoulders." [01:09:29] (Download)
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