The Old Rugged Cross - Part 2 (Gal. 3:10-14)

2021-09-30

GALATIANS EXPOSITORY SERIES If the law cannot bless us, then how can we receive God's blessing? This is the question Paul has been wrestling with throughout this letter. How do I stand in right relationship with God? What must I do to gain his favor? In a word, how can I be justified? There are two possibilities: Either I am justified by works of the law or I am justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul's answer is that justification comes only by faith and not by works. He has stated this ...

GALATIANS EXPOSITORY SERIES

If the law cannot bless us, then how can we receive God's blessing? This is the question Paul has been wrestling with throughout this letter. How do I stand in right relationship with God? What must I do to gain his favor? In a word, how can I be justified?

There are two possibilities: Either I am justified by works of the law or I am justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul's answer is that justification comes only by faith and not by works. He has stated this before, but here he repeats it: Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for 'The righteous shall live by faith.' But the law is not of faith, rather 'The one who does them shall live by them' (Gal. 3:11-12). Justification cannot come by works of the law; it must come by faith.

Luther rightly understood that only Christ can justify a sinner, and only through his cross. Paul explained it to the Galatians like this: 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' (Gal. 3:13).

The love of Christ is wondrous. He was crucified to remove the curse. Since we are no longer subject to the death penalty of the law, we can receive the promise of the gospel, that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith (Gal. 3:14).

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