Galatians 3:10-18

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Salvation is by Faith Alone, Not by Works of the Law

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The curse of the law is removed only through faith in Christ. (Galatians 3:10)

  2. The requirements of the law do not invalidate the promise of God. (Galatians 3:15-18)

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s believe in the verbal inspiration of Scripture.

QUESTIONS

  1. “The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11) Why does Paul keep hammering at this theme?

  2. What is the gospel that Paul preached, whereby men must be saved? In other words, how does someone get to heaven?

  3. What did the false teachers of Paul’s day, the Judaizers, say about this gospel?

  4. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse…” (Galatians 3:10) What does this mean?

  5. What is the “law” of Galatians 3:10?

  6. What is wrong with trying to keep the ten commandments and the law?

ANSWERS

  1. Because justification is by faith alone, and people don’t naturally believe it – then or today.

  2. In order to get to heaven, we must believe in Christ Jesus by faith. As the perfect Son of God, He went to the cross and died for the penalty of our sins. You must receive Him into your heart and life by faith.

  3. They said that it couldn’t be that simple. They said that you had to add the works of the law for salvation and sanctification.

  4. It refers to those who try to obtain favor with God by keeping the law.

  5. It is the ten commandments and all the other commandments of the Old Testament.

  6. Nothing, except that it is not good enough for salvation, and it is humanly impossible.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. We’ve already seen that no one can obtain favor with God by keeping the law. The curse of the law is removed only through faith in Jesus Christ. Have you believed and received the work of Christ by faith?

  2. God did not give the law as a way of salvation, for salvation comes by faith in the promise of God. The requirements of the law do not invalidate the promise of God. Salvation is in Christ (the Seed), and not in the law. Ponder this carefully and thank God for His plan of salvation.

CHALLENGE

  1. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16) Inspiration is the process by which God superintended the writers and writings of Scripture. Paul believed in the verbal inspiration of Scripture, down to the very words and letters. Paul’s argument hinged on whether the word “seed” in the promise to Abraham of Genesis 22:18 is singular or plural. Note Galatians 3:16, “And to your Seed, who is Christ.” Do you believe in the verbal inspiration of Scripture?

KEY VERSES

  • “No one is justified by the law in the sight of God…for the just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

  • “…the blessing of Abraham comes upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14)

  • “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made…the Seed is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16)

  • “For if the inheritance is of the law it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” (Galatians 3:18)



Galatians, New Testament, TalksDeb HarmsGalatians 3:10-18