JUSTIFIED BY WORKS OR FAITH?

Galatians 3:10-18www.worshipharvest.org

OVERVIEW› Paul writes a strongly worded

letter to the Galatians after they have added other requirements (the law: circumcision, Sabbaths, foods etc) to faith in Christ, for people to have a relationship with God.

› Anything else that we think we must do to earn salvation diminishes the sacrifice of Jesus. He becomes an option.

› Relationships are not based on rules, but rather, love. We are invited into a RELATIONSHIP BEYOND RULES.

Gal 3:1010 For as many as are of the works of the law are under

the curse; for it iswritten, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all

things which arewritten in the book of the law,

to do them.” NKJV

Rom 10:44 For Christ is the end of the law

for righteousness to everyone who believes.

› Works of the law are things we think we must do to be acceptable before God; to be made righteous or holy. Once we focus on what we must do and not what Jesus has done, we are under the curse!

James 2:10-1210 For whoever shall keep the

whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He

who said, "Do not commit adultery,"* also said, "Do not murder."* Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a

transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will

be judged by the law of liberty. NKJV

› We can’t pick and choose which laws (10 Commandments) to obey; But ALL THINGS written in the book of the Law!

› Trying to keep the law was like doing that which they were not by nature; like a fish out of water or running a petrol engine on juice! That’s why they failed, ALWAYS!

Romans 7:1414 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold

under sin. NKJV

Romans 8: 3-43 For what the law could not do in

that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned

sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law

might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh

but according to the Spirit. NKJV

› The law is not the problem. It is good. Our understanding of its purpose is the problem. The law is meant to lead us to Christ. Trying to keep it only kills us.

Romans 3:1919 Now we know that whatever

the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every

mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty

before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the

law is the knowledge of sin. NKJV

Rom 7:8-128 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.

9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment

came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which

was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived

me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and

good. NKJV

Galatians 3: 11-1211 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by

them.” NKJV

› Justified = to be made righteous. The law reveals our sinfulness, not righteousness.

› The law is NOT of Faith› Righteousness of God is apart

from the law

Rom 3:21-2421 But now the righteousness of

God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the

righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on

all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus, NKJV

Galatians 3:13-1413 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law,

having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a

tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the

promise of the Spirit through faith. NKJV

Deuteronomy 21: 22-2322 “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a

tree, 23 his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you

shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land

which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who

is hanged is accursed of God.’ NKJV

› Christ “died our death for us”, paying in full for ALL the requirements of the law, that we may relate freely with God.

› ON ABRAHAM:› He wasn’t Jewish or Israelite!› Was blessed for the sake of

others.› Was rendered righteous by

faith, not necessarily doing the right thing always

› Was God’s friendBy the Spirit, we are adopted.

Who we are precedes what we do. BE then you’ll DO.

› Christ hung on the cross, not just to take us to heaven, but give us Abraham’s blessing; BEING A BLESSING TO ALL.

› If Jesus is the answer, what’s the question?

Galatians 3:1515 Brethren, I speak in the

manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls

or adds to it. NKJV

› You cannot make void my covenant with my landlord, even if you make a change to the tenancy agreement. In the same way, we cannot make void the New Covenant that Christ made. We were not consulted!

Hebrews 6: 13-1413 For when God made a promise

to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying,

“Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply

you. NKJV

Galatians 3:1616 Now to Abraham and his

Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,”

who is Christ. NKJV

› The promise that God made to Abraham, He had made to Christ, with who we are joint heirs. Christ has been Plan A all along. There’s no Plan B!

Galatians 3:1717 And this I say, that the law,which was four hundred and

thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in

Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but

God gave it to Abraham by promise. NKJV

Romans 4:3-43 For what does the Scripture

say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for

righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

NKJV

Romans 11:66 And if by grace, then it is no

longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of

works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

NKJV

WORKS OR FAITH?We are justified by faith

alone.

Faith leads to good works; being blessed to be a

blessing. (Church begins on Monday)

Works don’t necessarily lead to faith.

Getting to be justified by works gets us to be under the

curse!