• “We are not only justified by faith in Christ, we are also sanctified by faith in Christ. We never leave the gospel behind.” Tim Keller
• The way the Spirit entered the Galatians' lives is the same way the Spirit advanced their lives. This is true for us!
• Paul was so wise to use Abraham as an example. “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15: 6). It wasn’t his obedience, it wasn’t the sign of circumcision, or anything else… God credit Abraham righteous because of his FAITH alone.
• So then why did God give the Law of Moses 430 years later? Doesn’t that just tell us that God is adding to the promise he gave Abraham? Certainly not! says Paul. These two covenants did not contradict each other; they complimented each other. In both covenants, the promise of God’s blessing comes by grace through faith and is not earned. And in both covenants, the faith which saves taps into God’s power in such a way that obedience results.
• “The law increases transgressions and shuts people up under sin, not because it requires imperfect people to merit God’s favor, but because it requires proud and independent people to humble themselves and depend on God’s transforming mercy.” John Piper
• “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’” (verse 13). What are the implications of this verse? We need a Savior!
• Reflection questions: How are we tempted to live out our faith outside of God’s gospel of grace? What sneaky ways can the enemy use good works as a way to bind us to legalism?