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Justification by Faith - Part 1 of 2

by Paul George  
12/09/2008 / Bible Studies

Galatians 3:1-4-11

Quotes from World English Bible unless otherwise noted

Justification is a judicial act by God. It is God's declaration that the demands of His Law have been fulfilled in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The basis of justification is the death of Jesus Christ. The benefits of justification are freely given to us through faith. Justification is a gift from God. The negative result of justification is we are saved from the wrath of God. The positive result is we have peace with God.

The doctrine of justification by faith only has been under attack from the first century to the present. In the churches of Galatia the Judaizers were not denying the doctrine of justification. They agreed with Paul that justification is a judicial act by God and the basis of justification is the death of Jesus Christ. However, they claimed that Paul's claim that justification is by faith only is incorrect. The Judaizers claimed that justification required faith and observance of the Mosaic Law.

In chapter three of his letter to the Galatians, Paul called those who were accepting the doctrine of faith and observance of the Mosaic Law "foolish Galatians" and asked them "who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified?" Then he told them, "I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?" Note Paul does not wait for an answer because he knew who was leading them away from the truth. The Galatians were forgiven of their sins and brought into the family of God. They received the gift of the Holy Spirit for the refining and purifying of their heart. Instead of growing spiritually they have closed their eyes and no longer see Christ crucified and are like people being led blindly and unresisting to their destruction.

In verses three through five, Paul asked the Galatians "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?" In this passage Paul is telling the Galatians something we often need to do; a searching of the heart. Paul wants the Galatians to stop what they are doing and answer a few questions. What law did they keep in order to be delivered from the bondage of paganism? The majority of the membership of the churches of Galatia was Gentiles; they had no knowledge of the requirements of the Mosaic Law. What knowledge they had of the Law was taught to them by the Judaizers and not Paul and the other apostles. Therefore, to answer the question, "He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?" Their only answer to the question is "by hearing of faith."

What did Paul do in his defense of the doctrine justification by faith only? He put the Galatians on the defense. The only way they could defend the doctrine of faith plus works is lie and say they were justified by observing the Law. If they answered by the Law, the question is what Law did they observe to receive the gift of justification.

We can ask those who advocate the doctrine of faith the questions Paul asked the Galatians. If they try to support their claiming by citing some law you can be assured they know nothing about the Law; the Law has no provisions for justifying the breaking of the Law. There is a saying, you do the crime, you do the time.

Just as the Galatians fell into a state of shame and disappointment because they added the observance of the law to faith in Christ those who are adding observance of rituals and New Age doctrine and practices to faith in Christ will fall into a greater state of shame and disappointment when they stand before the Judge of judges on the Day of Judgment.

Paul used experience as his first argument in the defense of the doctrine of justification by faith only. In his second argument in defense of the doctrine of justification only (Galatians 3:6-9) Paul uses Abraham to support the doctrine of justification by faith only. The purpose of Paul's second argument is to add strength to his first argument.

In verse six Paul quotes from Genesis chapter fifteen verse six:

"Even as Abraham 'believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.'"

In this argument, Paul uses the relationship that existed between God and Abraham. God accepted Abraham as a righteous man because he believed God; he trusted God and he obeyed God.

Paul's point in this argument is those who are of the faith are the children of Abraham. The descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob are the physical descendants of Abraham. Those who are men of the faith, these are the true followers of Christ, are the spiritual descendants of Abraham. Those who are the sons of Abraham follow his example.

Paul supports the claim those who are of the faith are the children of Abraham by quoting from Genesis twelve verse three. In verse eight of Galatians three Paul wrote, "The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you all the nations will be blessed.'" This was a promise from God to Abraham. This promise was in the form of an unconditional covenant. The death of Abraham did not annul the covenant and the Judaizers could not alter the promise to make room for the law. It would be inconsistent with God's holiness, wisdom, and faithfulness. God did not give Moses the law to establish a different way of justification from the way established by the promise. The Israelites believed they were God's chosen people. They believed they were sinners as well as others. The purpose of the law was to make them aware of their sin and curb the desires of their hearts that are contrary to the will of God. The Israelites also believed the purpose of the law was to direct them to the true and the only way sin can be forgiven. That way is through the law of sacrifices. Paul denies this in his doctrine of faith. Paul claimed the law of sacrifices ceased with the death of Christ. However, the law useful to convince men they are sinners and to restrain them from committing sinful acts. The law given to Moses to give to the people could not affect the promise made to them in the promise God made to Abraham.

The physical sons of Abraham, the Jewish people, are his descendants through Isaac and Jacob. Those who believe in God and His Son Jesus Christ are Abraham's spiritual sons. They are men of faith and not men of works or men of circumcision. This is what Paul wanted the Galatians to understand. The Judaizers were the physical descendants of Abraham but they were not his spiritual descendants. Gentiles become the spiritual sons of Abraham when they follow Abraham's example.

In his argument in defense of the doctrine justification by faith only (Galatians 3:10-29) Paul uses the Law. He opens his argument with a quote from Deuteronomy chapter twenty-seven verse twenty-six, "Cursed is everyone who doesn't continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them."

In his argument from Abraham, Paul showed the Galatians the difference between a physical son of Abraham and a spiritual son, who is the heir of the promise to Abraham. In his argument using the Law, Paul wants the Galatians to know the difference between the law and grace and we need to do the same when it involves rites and ceremonies. Grace promises blessing. The Law pronounces punishment. At the same time the scripture plainly set forth that it was not the works of the law a person is justified, for it is written, "The righteous man shall live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4 NASB).

We cannot be justified by the law because the law condemns us. The condition of life, by the law, is perfect, personal, and complete obedience. The language of the law is, do this and live and for every failure there is no forgiveness but a penalty to be paid. If our obedience is not as written in the law, we fall under the curse of the law; wrath, ruin, and separation. Under the law, we are all guilty before God. However, Paul tells us there is a way we can escape this curse, and regain the favor of God, namely, through faith in Christ. To redeem us from the curse of the law Jesus took upon Himself the curse of the law. His purpose in doing this was that the blessing promised Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, therefore, all who believe on Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, become heirs of Abraham's blessing. Paul wants the Galatians to understand it was not by putting themselves under the law, but by faith in Christ, they became the children of God and heirs of the promise. It is through faith in Jesus Christ we become children of God and heirs of the promise.

The law is not inconsistent with the promise, but intended to reveal man's transgressions and to show them the need they have of a better righteousness than that of the law. However, in our present state both Jew and Gentile, are in a state of guilt, and therefore unable to achieve righteousness and justification by the works of the law. The law reveals the disease of the human nature, but cannot prescribe a cure. The law can only prescribe a temporary relief through the sacrifice of animals. The promise predicts the cure. The cure is the blood of Jesus Christ.

The position of the Law is that of a tutor (Galatians 4:24); to lead and direct men to Christ that they might be more fully instructed by Him as their instructor in the true way of justification and salvation, which is only by faith in Him, and of which He was appointed to give the fullest and clearest instructions. If this was the purpose of the law before the appearance of Christ, why can it not continue to be so under the Christian state too? After the appearance of Christ the way of pardon and life is through faith in Him, and we have no need of the law to direct us to Him.

The law reveals the goodness of God to his people of old, in giving the law to them; though, in comparison of the gospel the people were in a state of darkness and fear. However, the law provided the means and helps both to reveal the duty of the people and encourage the people. The fault of the people was mistaking the purpose of the law, and using it for a purpose other than God's purpose. They expected to be justified by the works of it. The purpose of the Law was not to be the means of their justification, but only a means of convincing them of their guilt and of their need of a Savior, and of directing them to Christ, and faith in Him, as the only way of obtaining this privilege.

The great advantage of the gospel is we not only enjoy a clearer understanding of divine grace and mercy than was afforded to the Jews of old, but are also freed from the state of bondage and fear under which they were held; we are not considered children but as sons grown up to a full age. We enjoy greater freedoms, and privileges, than they were. The privilege we enjoy under the gospel is, we are sons and not servants. We have a freer access to God. Having accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and relying on Him alone for justification and salvation and admitted into a happier relation to God. This faith in Christ, whereby we became the children of God, Paul reminds us was what we professed in baptism. Having in baptism professed our faith in Him we declared ourselves His servants and disciples and through Him, we are the children of God.

The law made a difference between Jew and Greek, between the bond and the free, master and servant, male and female. Now we all stand on the same level, one in Christ. The judaizing teachers would have the Galatians believe that they had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses, or they could not be saved. No, says the apostle, there is no need of that; if you sincerely believe the gospel of Christ. Christ, is the promised Seed in whom all the nations of the earth are to be blessed, you therefore become a descendant of Abraham when you believe the gospel of Christ. As such you are his heirs according to the promise and entitled to the great blessings and privileges of it. Christians enjoy greater and better privileges than the Jews did under the law. It is unreasonable and unwise to listen to those who endeavor to deprive us of the truth and the liberty of the gospel.

Retired pastor,Church of the Nazarene

Author of web site Exploring God's Word

www.thewordofgodonline.net

New American Standard Bible

King James Version

The World English Bible

Sermons and Bible studies preached and taught by author

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