Monday, December 3, 2012

Free Indeed - Galatians 3:15-29

15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. 19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. 21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free,male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. - Galatians 3:15-29

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS:
1) To whom were God's promises given? (v.15-16)
2) Why was the law given and did it nullify God's promise to Abraham? (v.17-18)
3) What was the purpose of the law? (v.19-25)
4) What makes us children of God? (v.26-27)
5) Who is the seed of Abraham? (v.28-29)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1) How do you know that you're a child of God?
2) Who, or what, made it possible for you to become a child of God?
3) What promises are you believing God for because of your position in Christ?

LIFE LESSONS:
1) We can never be saved by keeping the law.
2) The children of Abraham are heirs of the promises God made to Abraham.
3) Christians receive the the promises of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

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