Christian Family Fellowship - PDO, Muscat.
The Law & The Prophets
Galatians Chapters 3 & 4. (Part 1 of 2).
INTRODUCTION.
There are many Christians who are saved by grace but try to keep saved by obeying the law or keeping the commandments. This was the error of the Galatian church, which Paul seeks to correct in this epistle to them. Gal 3:3. Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit (saved by grace), are ye now made perfect by the flesh (keeping of the law)? The essence of the gospel is the grace of God freely given to all men. We shall use the word "gospel" and "grace interchangeably in the course of this study. As we open up ourselves to the letter and the spirit of the "law" and the "gospel", seek and endeavour to apply them to our lives the Lord of grace will lift us unto higher grounds.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
Dt.22:5-12. We need not be curious in explaining these laws; but have reason to be thankful that we need fear no defilement, except that of sin, nor need ceremonial and burdensome purification. These laws remind us that God sees all things, even those, which escape the notice of men. The great gospel duties of faith and repentance are here signified, and the great gospel privileges of the application of Christ’s blood to our souls for our justification, and his grace for our sanctification. However, if we would prove ourselves to be God’s people, we must have respect to his will and to his glory, and not to the vain fashions of the world. Even in putting on our garments, as in eating or in drinking, all must be done with a serious regard to preserve our own and others’ purity in heart and actions. Our eye should be single, our heart simple, and our behaviour all of a piece.
2.What does the law say? Lev 18: 5, Ro 10:5. Who can keep the law perfectly? Ro 3:9-23.
3.What does the law do? James 2:10 (condemns all), Ro 3:19, Gal 3:10
4.What cannot the law do? Acts 13:39, Heb 7:19
5.Why then was the law given? Gal 3:19, Rom 3:20, Gal 3:24
6.What are the common "laws" that we tend to bind ourselves with?
7.What is the gospel? Acts 20:24,1 Cor 15:1-3,11 Cor 11:2-4, Gal 1:6-10, 2:12-16. What is the purpose of the gospel? We have great cause to bless God that we have heard the gospel. The gospel teaches us the way of salvation. We are saved by faith; we live by faith, without law keeping.
8.What does grace say? Jn 5:24, 10:28, Mk 2:23-28.
9.Did the Son who knew no sin have to die to save mankind? Give biblical support for your answer.
10.What does the gospel do? Gal 3:13-14, Dt 28:15-44, Titus 2:11. Col 2:16-22. Grace not only saves the sinner but more grace is added daily to sustain him.
11 .To what extent is the believer under law after conversion? Ro 6:14, Gal 5:18.
1 2. How ought the believer to walk before God and his fellowman? Jn 2:6, 1Pet 2:21 Those who are in Christ while not saved by or kept by the law, nevertheless love the will of God and do from the heart those things which please him, not for salvation nor by constraint, but for love ‘s sake, as they walk in the spirit.
13.What part do knowledge and faith play in the exercise of our liberty in Christ? I Cor 8:1-13
CONCLUSION:
The law was given to guide mankind to Christ — never meant to be the ultimate channel of salvation.
Let us not make the law to overshadow the grace of God revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Nonetheless, we must not continue in sin that grace may abound. May the Lord help us to fully get the import of the salvation wrought by faith in the finished work of Christ.