From Law to Grace: Embracing Faith in Christ
Summary
In Galatians chapter 3, we are confronted with the profound truth of our need for God's mercy. The law, as given in the first five books of the Bible, sets a standard of perfection that none of us can meet. It is a mirror reflecting our inability to save ourselves, revealing the curse that hangs over us due to our failure to uphold every commandment. This curse is not just a shadow but a reality that follows us, reminding us of our shortcomings and the impossibility of achieving righteousness through our own efforts.
The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, makes it clear that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God. The law was never meant to save us but to show us our sin and our desperate need for a Savior. It is a schoolmaster leading us to Christ, the only one who can redeem us from the curse of the law. Jesus Christ, in His perfect obedience and sacrifice, became a curse for us, taking upon Himself the judgment we deserved. This act of love and grace offers us a choice: to continue striving under the law or to embrace the gift of faith in Christ.
Faith in Jesus Christ is the path to justification, freeing us from the curse and granting us the righteousness of God. It is not a mixture of our works and His grace but a complete reliance on His finished work on the cross. The law points us to our need for Christ, and once we place our faith in Him, we are no longer under its condemnation. We are liberated, justified, and invited to rest in the assurance of salvation that comes through faith alone.
Key Takeaways:
- The law reveals our inability to achieve righteousness on our own, highlighting the curse that results from failing to uphold its commandments. It serves as a mirror, showing us our need for God's mercy and grace. [07:20]
- Justification cannot be achieved through the law; it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we are made righteous. The law serves to lead us to Christ, who fulfilled it perfectly on our behalf. [14:55]
- The choice between law and faith is crucial. We must decide whether to rely on our own efforts or to trust in the finished work of Christ, who offers redemption and freedom from the curse. [20:43]
- Jesus Christ became a curse for us, taking upon Himself the judgment we deserved. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love, offering us salvation and the righteousness of God. [26:26]
- The law's purpose is to show us our sin and lead us to our Savior. Once we place our faith in Christ, we are no longer under the law's condemnation but are justified and liberated by His grace. [38:00]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Craving God's Mercy
- [02:50] - The Law and Our Failures
- [04:43] - Prayer for Understanding
- [07:20] - The Curse of the Law
- [14:05] - The Impossibility of Perfection
- [14:55] - Conclusion of the Law
- [19:56] - God's Standard vs. Our Standard
- [20:43] - The Choice: Law or Faith
- [22:09] - Justification Through Faith
- [23:39] - The Problem with Mixing Law and Faith
- [25:15] - Christ Redeems Us
- [26:26] - Christ Becomes the Curse
- [31:08] - The Father's Plan
- [31:50] - The Visible Testimony of the Cross
- [35:04] - The Purpose of the Law
- [36:38] - The Law Shows Us Our Savior
- [38:00] - Justified by Faith
- [39:24] - Freedom in Christ
- [40:53] - Invitation to Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 3:10-14
- Romans 3:22-23
- James 2:10
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Galatians 3:10, what is the consequence for those who rely on the works of the law? How does this relate to the concept of a curse? [07:20]
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about the impossibility of achieving perfection through the law? How does this relate to the idea of the law being a mirror? [14:05]
3. What does Romans 3:22-23 say about the righteousness of God and how it is obtained? How does this contrast with the idea of self-justification through the law?
4. How does James 2:10 illustrate the severity of breaking even one part of the law? What does this imply about human ability to fulfill the law completely?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the pastor emphasize that the law was never meant to save us but to show us our sin? How does this understanding affect our view of the law and its purpose? [35:04]
2. How does the sermon explain the role of Jesus Christ in redeeming us from the curse of the law? What does it mean for Christ to become a curse for us? [26:26]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith in Jesus Christ liberates us from the condemnation of the law? How does this liberation manifest in a believer's life? [39:24]
4. How does the pastor describe the choice between law and faith? What are the implications of choosing one over the other? [20:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own efforts to achieve righteousness. How did that experience compare to relying on faith in Christ? What changes can you make to shift your reliance? [20:43]
2. The sermon mentions that the law serves as a mirror to show us our need for God's mercy. How can you use this understanding to deepen your relationship with God this week? [07:20]
3. Consider the idea that Christ became a curse for us. How does this profound act of love and sacrifice impact your daily life and decisions? [26:26]
4. The pastor talks about the impossibility of achieving perfection through the law. How can you embrace the freedom that comes from faith in Christ rather than striving for perfection? [14:05]
5. How can you actively rest in the assurance of salvation through faith alone, as discussed in the sermon? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this truth daily? [39:24]
6. The sermon highlights the choice between law and faith. What specific areas of your life require a conscious decision to trust in Christ's finished work rather than your own efforts? [20:43]
7. How can you share the message of redemption and freedom in Christ with someone who is struggling with self-justification or legalism? What approach would you take to communicate this effectively?
Devotional
Day 1: The Law as a Mirror of Our Need
The law, as presented in the first five books of the Bible, serves as a mirror reflecting our inability to achieve righteousness on our own. It sets a standard of perfection that none of us can meet, highlighting the curse that results from failing to uphold its commandments. This curse is not merely a theoretical concept but a reality that follows us, reminding us of our shortcomings and the impossibility of achieving righteousness through our own efforts. The law's purpose is to show us our sin and our desperate need for God's mercy and grace. It is a tool that reveals our need for a Savior, pointing us to the only one who can redeem us from the curse of the law. [07:20]
Galatians 3:10-11 (ESV): "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.' Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for 'The righteous shall live by faith.'"
Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to achieve righteousness through your own efforts? How can you begin to rely more on God's mercy and grace today?
Day 2: Justification Through Faith Alone
Justification cannot be achieved through the law; it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we are made righteous. The law serves to lead us to Christ, who fulfilled it perfectly on our behalf. The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, makes it clear that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God. The law was never meant to save us but to show us our sin and our desperate need for a Savior. Faith in Jesus Christ is the path to justification, freeing us from the curse and granting us the righteousness of God. It is not a mixture of our works and His grace but a complete reliance on His finished work on the cross. [14:55]
Romans 3:28-30 (ESV): "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith."
Reflection: How does understanding that justification comes through faith alone change your perspective on your relationship with God? What steps can you take to deepen your faith in Christ today?
Day 3: The Crucial Choice Between Law and Faith
The choice between law and faith is crucial. We must decide whether to rely on our own efforts or to trust in the finished work of Christ, who offers redemption and freedom from the curse. Jesus Christ, in His perfect obedience and sacrifice, became a curse for us, taking upon Himself the judgment we deserved. This act of love and grace offers us a choice: to continue striving under the law or to embrace the gift of faith in Christ. Once we place our faith in Him, we are no longer under the law's condemnation but are justified and liberated by His grace. [20:43]
Galatians 3:13-14 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What areas of your life are you still trying to control through your own efforts? How can you begin to trust more in Christ's finished work and less in your own abilities?
Day 4: Christ's Sacrifice as the Ultimate Act of Love
Jesus Christ became a curse for us, taking upon Himself the judgment we deserved. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love, offering us salvation and the righteousness of God. This profound truth is central to the Christian faith, reminding us of the depth of God's love and the extent of His grace. By becoming a curse for us, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, offering us a new life in Him. This act of love calls us to respond in faith, embracing the salvation and righteousness that He freely offers. [26:26]
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: How does Christ's sacrifice on the cross impact your understanding of God's love for you? In what ways can you respond to this love in your daily life?
Day 5: Liberation Through Faith in Christ
The law's purpose is to show us our sin and lead us to our Savior. Once we place our faith in Christ, we are no longer under the law's condemnation but are justified and liberated by His grace. Faith in Jesus Christ is the path to justification, freeing us from the curse and granting us the righteousness of God. It is not a mixture of our works and His grace but a complete reliance on His finished work on the cross. We are liberated, justified, and invited to rest in the assurance of salvation that comes through faith alone. [38:00]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the freedom that comes from faith in Christ? How can you continue to stand firm in this freedom and avoid returning to a yoke of slavery?
Quotes
"And what God does for you and I in the book of Galatians, particularly chapter number 3 in these verses we're going to read, is he strips all of the hope out of yourself so that you are ready for the cure that God has prescribed for sin. God has a law. All the first five books of the Bible are known as the books of Moses or the books of the law, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and they contain God's love for sin." [00:02:05]
"And what we find in the book of Galatians is the wonderful truth that you and I have blown it. We didn't keep it. But besides that, we find the solution that God has after we have blown it and that God's got a band-aid for our boo-boo. And God has a remedy for our mistakes. And God has a solution for our sin." [00:02:50]
"For as many as are of the works of the law are what under the curse he opens this up with telling us about the curse of the law and he says that all that are under the works of the law are just the same under the curse for it is written cursed it is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God what a truth it is evident for the just shall live by faith." [00:06:24]
"It paints the picture that the curse is up here and you're down here and everything that you do is under the shadow of that curse. It doesn't matter how good you want to be you're still cursed. It doesn't matter how good you try to do and it doesn't matter any of those things if you don't do everything good all the time then you are under the curse and although you give your best attempts and although you give your best tries there is still a curse looming over everything that you do." [00:08:09]
"These are folks that have yet to place their faith in Jesus Christ and rather they are looking to the Ten Commandments they are looking at God's word and that's a wonderful thing to do but they are thinking that somehow they are going to be able to keep all of it and they're going to have this long record of all the things that they're going to have to do. All the things that I did and I checked all the boxes and when I stand before God I've got my sheet of everything that I did and all my good works and he says those people that think they're going to stand and they're going to have to do it." [00:08:53]
"Romans 3 .9 says this, what then? Are we better than they? No. And no wise for we have proved both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin. All under sin. Romans 3 .23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. of God this is the conclusion of the law that everybody is underneath this curse you say well that means everybody deserves to go to hell then absolutely absolutely you deserve to be in the same hell that Adolf Hitler deserves to be in you know why because you broke the same law." [00:16:02]
"See, we can't wrap our mind around it because we can't wrap our mind around how holy God is. We can't imagine that a little kid stealing a candy bar would offend somebody enough to send them into hell because we don't understand what righteousness really is. We don't understand that holiness desires and demands perfection because we are so flawed that the idea of righteousness is not what we want. The idea of righteousness is just so far beyond our minds that it escapes our capability to comprehend and therefore we settle for a standard that is so far less than what God's standard is." [00:19:20]
"Another path you can take. You can either take law and end up in the condemnation and judgment of God or you can go by faith. You make your choice. He says in verse number 12, The law is not of faith, but the man that doeth them shall live in him. He tells us there are two options here. And I want you to understand that every individual must and will make this decision. Every one of them. You sitting in your pew right now are making a decision whether or not you are going to stand before God with the law in your hand or the blood of Jesus Christ. You're making that decision right now." [00:20:57]
"And what we've already found is that you can't. There are two options. One justifies, one doesn't. He said in verse 11, No man's justified by the law on the side of God. The law doesn't justify, but faith does justify. Ain't that what verse 11, the last line says? He said the just shall live by faith. Those that have their faith in Jesus Christ, they are just. Those that have their faith in the law, they're not justified. Two options. One justifies, one doesn't. And you cannot choose both." [00:22:09]
"He said, but there is one, Christ, the Son of God, God incarnate, God in human flesh, walking amongst men, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law. That curse that in verse number 10 was upon you, that was over the head of the sinner, that was on those that broke God's law, and all of a sudden Jesus sweeps in like a superhero in a movie plot, and he rescues us from that curse that our impending judgment was riding upon, and he takes the curse and he makes it his own so that it no longer rests on my shoulders and yours." [00:25:47]
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. What a thought. I don't have the time to unpack that. I wish I did. How does that happen? Can anybody tell me? He was made a curse. The blessed one, the one who walked in perfect obedience and knew nothing but the smile of God the Father on his life, and yet in a moment's time at Calvary, he no longer is under the blessing and the righteousness and the fellowship of God, but the Father turns his back and the Son says, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken?" [00:26:26]
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster, our tutor, our teacher to bring us unto Christ. Why was the law there? To get you to Christ. To show you that you can't. To show you that you can't do it. And show you that there's one who not only can but did do it. Perfectly. 33 years. Fulfilled all 613 commandments. Fulfilled all the prophecies. Fulfilled all of the sacrificial laws. Fulfilled all the ceremonial laws. Every word in Genesis through Deuteronomy. Jesus did all of it. And the law shows you and bears record that you need him." [00:38:08]
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