Class #25: Sinful human reason wrongly assumes that God gave the law so that by keeping it people would become righteous and thus be saved. When told that the law and the works of the law do not contribute to our salvation, the usual response is to assume an antinomian (against the law) position. Slanderously they accuse St. Paul of abolishing the law and saying, “Let us do evil, that good may come” (Rom 3:8). St. Paul’s answer is that the law “was added for the sake of transgressions” (Galatians 3:19). This does not mean that the law’s purpose was to reduce sin, but the very opposite. The giving of the law increased sin (Romans 5:20). The law both exposed sin (Rom 3;20), and stirred up the sinful nature, which desires to do that which is forbidden (Rom 7:7ff).
The law was temporary and designed only to prepare for the promise of the Gospel. The law lasted only until the Seed, Jesus Christ, came. Jesus Christ forgives sin and frees from the requirements and curse of the law.
Overhead: Galatians Class 25 Overhead
Handouts: Use page two of Galatians Chapter Three 15 to 25
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