The intention of the law Now that we know that the law does not set - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The intention of the law • Now that we know that the law does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise (3.17), and that God made a promise that fulfilled in Christ, the question that remains is: why, then, was the law given at all? (3.19)

The intention of the law • The law was given because of transgressions (3.19). God gave His law not as a replacement of His promise, but to show us who we really are and how much we need a Saviour.

• I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 … when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death… 13 in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. Romans 7.7-13

Narcissus in order that sin might be recognized as sin (Rm 7.13)

The impossibility of the law • The law cannot make us righteous neither give us life, for if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. (3.21)

The impossibility of the law

The imprisonment of the law • Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin… we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. (3.22-23). • Paul understood that he was a prisoner of sin, helpless to free or cure himself (Tim Keller)

The imprisonment of the law

The instruction of the law • So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3.24

The instruction of the law • The law as put in charge … under whose supervision we live. • The paidagogos was usually a slave who supervised the children on the parent’s behalf.

The indication of the law • … the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. (3.24-25). • When we learn the lesson that we must go beyond the law to find God’s approval, we allow Christ to be our Saviour.