Post by garywalker on Mar 2, 2011 20:02:36 GMT -5
The Law curses "every one that continueth not in all things…of the law" (Gal. 3:10). The words "continueth" and "all" here tell us the Law demands 100% faithfulness 100% of the time! Though this may sound unreasonable, how many of our married readers are satisfied with 99% faithfulness from your spouse? Even if you could go 70 years without sinning, then sin, the Law would curse you. This too might sound unreasonable, but if you go 70 years without killing anyone, then snap, the law won't let you slide just because you've never done it before, and neither will God!
"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident" (Gal. 3:11). The Greek word for "evident" here is translated "certain" when Paul says, "we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out" (I Tim. 6:7). You'll never see a U-Haul trailer behind a hearse! And it is just as evident that no one can be justified by the Law. You might look good in your neighbor's sight, but we're talking about "the sight of God" (Gal. 3:11). Even Abraham looked good to his neighbors, but he couldn't boast before God (Rom. 4:2), for God knew he lied about his wife.
No, "The just shall live by faith" (Gal. 3:11), that is, the way you get to be just is by faith. "And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them" (Gal. 3:12), i.e., live eternally (Lev. 18:5 cf. Luke 10:25-28). God is fair. If you could obey Him perfectly, He would give you eternal life. It is not technically correct to say the only way to heaven is by faith. But while there are two ways to get to the moon, by rocket and by jumping, one of these two ways is impossible! Just so, there are two ways to get to heaven, by faith and by the works of the Law (Rom. 2:6-10), but the latter is just as impossible! (Gal. 2:16).
Thankfully, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13). "That the blessing of Abraham [salvation] might come on the Gentiles through...." Through what? Through Israel? Through circumcision, or the Law? This was true for Gentiles in the Old Testament. But today the blessing of Abraham comes on us "through Jesus Christ." Why not "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). Notice it doesn't say "believe and be good." It just says believe and be saved! "Christ died for our sins…and…rose again" (I Cor. 15:3,4). Don't try to add any good works to Christ's work, for salvation is "to him that worketh not, but believeth!" (Rom. 4:5).