An Appeal from Allegory - Page 4 of 4 (series: Lessons on Galatians)

by John Lowe
(Woodruff, S.C.)

Summary
We conclude along with Paul that “no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God” (Gal. 3.11).
Failure to save is not the fault of the Law. The inability of the Law to justify a sinner is not a sign of the Law’s failure or weakness. The Law cannot, nor is it expected to save a sinner. That was not the purpose of the Law. God gave the Law to PROVE that man could not be saved by LAW WORKS, so that it might convince mankind of the need of the grace of God, and to get them ready to accept the grace of God in Jesus Christ. The Law is perfect; that is why imperfect man cannot keep it. The Law is holy; that is why sinners are condemned by it. The Law is just, and therefore cannot show mercy to the guilty, because that would be a violation of its justness and justice. The perfect Law can only show the nature of sin. The Law condemns and says, “Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Gal. 3.10).
We serve God now, because we are under grace, and Paul says in Romans 12.1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”


ENDNOTES
i He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."
ii It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
iii But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.
iv But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,
v I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
vi Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
vii Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.
viii Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
ix The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;