3 reasons the promise of God is superior to the law
I. The Promise of God Cannot Be Changed By the Law
A. Ratified human agreements cannot be set aside or adjusted
Galatians 3:15 - Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.
B. The promise was given to Abraham and his seed, Christ
Galatians 3:16 - Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.
Genesis 22:18 - In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.
C. The law was given to Moses 430 years later
Galatians 3:17 - What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
D. Inheritance is based on a promise, not observance of the law
Galatians 3:18 - For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
Romans 4:13-16 - For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all…
II. The Law Was Temporary and the Promise Is Permanent
A. The law was added due to transgressions
Galatians 3:19 - Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions…
Romans 7:9 - I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died…
Romans 7:12 - So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
B. The law required a mediator in contrast to the personal promise
Galatians 3:19-20 - Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.
Deuteronomy 33:2 - He said, “The Lord came from Sinai, and dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, and He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones; at His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.
C. The law was added with an ending point
Galatians 3:19 - … until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
Titus 2:11-14 - For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
III. The Law Is Not Opposed to the Promise, But Reveals the Importance of the Promise
A. The law cannot impart life
Galatians 3:21 - Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.
Romans 7:4 - Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.
B. The law was given to reveal sin
Galatians 3:22 - But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Romans 7:7 - What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
Romans 3:19-20 - Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
C. The law locks us up and faith in the promise sets us free
Galatians 3:23 - But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.
D. The law is our guardian to lead us to Christ
Galatians 3:24-25 - Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Romans 8:1-2 - Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Romans 4:7-8 - Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.
Authors
