Galatians 3:15-4:7 - The Gospel of Grace Last time:True children of Abraham, come through faith, not by observing the Law (6-9) This week: What, then, is the function of the Law? (10-14)

If the Law does not qualify a child of Abraham, then what is the purpose of the Law?

The Mosaic Law was for a specific time and purpose, but was never intended to fulfill God's promise to Abraham. The Law came after the promise to Abraham (15-18) The Law came earlier than the fulfillment of the promise (19-25)

Galatians 3:15-18 16. Covenants cannot be set aside or added to. 17. The promise to Abraham was to his "seed" - Jesus Christ, the true son of Abraham. Jesus was the true son biologically (like the Israelites - and others), in perfect faith, and as the recipient of God's promises. The Law came 430 years after God's promises to Abraham and therefore, cannot nullify the promise. The Law prepared the way for the fulfillment of the promise in the coming of Jesus. 18. God's promises to Abraham were given in grace, so you cannot receive the promises through the Law, which demands specific behavior (works).

Galatians 3:19-25 19. The Law was for a specific time. God had made a promise to Abraham that would not be fulfilled until Christ came. The Law was put into effect between the giving and the fulfillment of the promise.

1. The Law was subordinate to Christ's fulfillment: it was added (19), intended to restrain sin and to bring it to light (Romans 3:19-20), it was mediated mediated by angels

21-22. Is the Law opposed to the promise? No, but cannot make you right before God. "The whole world is a prisoner of sin." So that the gift of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23-24. Before Jesus, the Law held us as prisoners. The Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ (paidagōgos). A guardian/tutor/guide of boys. Greeks and Romans had trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys.

1. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the guardian/tutor/guide.

Application: people may see Christianity as a negative, restraining burden. But the opposite is true. Christians are the only people on earth who are free. Everyone outside of Christ is a prisoner of sin or legalism. In Christ, we are free from sin and from the burden of righteousness through works.

Galatians 3:26-29 True sonship 26. If you have faith in Jesus Christ, you are sons of God. You are sons (and daughters) of God's promises (like blessings bestowed on the eldest son) and inheritance.

1. Baptized and clothed with Christ. Roman society, when a boy reached the age of manhood, he would remove his childhood robe and put on a toga. It signified his becoming a man and a citizen of Rome. Baptism and clothing demonstrates a change of identity (standing), maturing (from Law to faith), and cleansing.

2. Christ covers and removes the divide between Jews and Gentiles, slave and free. We are all one in Christ.

3. Faith in Christ makes you a recipient of the promises to Abraham.

Galatians 4:1-7 4:1-2. A child is not much different than a slave - except that he will inherit the estate.

1. We were all in slavery under the basic principles - seems that Paul is saying the Gentiles were subject to ceremonialism, similar to the Jews - or that they were under the power of demonic forces.

4-5. Jesus subjected himself to the Law to liberate us and make us sons.

6-7. Since we have received the Spirit of God's Son, our hearts are conscious that God is our Father and we are full heirs.

We were once slaves, outside of God's grace. Now, through faith in Jesus Christ, we are sons of God. Adopted into His family and recipients of freedom from the Law and legalism, the promises of God, the inheritance of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us.