Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 25: The Law Increases Sin

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

Baptismal Life Bible Class – Word, Faith and Holy Spirit put to death the old Adam, Part 6

The Triune God works through the Word to give the gift of faith and the Holy Spirit by means of which He daily puts to death the Old Adam in us.  There are two ways in which others try to achieve a Christian life.  Some groups become antinomian in their teaching, when they refuse to use the Law, but only the gospel.  “There can be no true conversion or contrition where mortifying the flesh and good fruits do not follow” (Ap XII, 131).  Others attempt to put the old Adam to death by means and ways which are not designated by God.  These human ways all end up being human works, which can only change outward behavior, but do not put to death the sinful desires.  “You don’t put the old nature to death , as these prophets do, through works, but through the hearing of the gospel” (Luther’s Works, v.40, p.148).

Resources:
Lesson Six Overheads Sources Feb 14 2016
Lesson Six The Ways and Means of God in Mortifying old Adam