Lesson 513

(Lesson 513)(01-11-13) Galatians 3:13-29, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Today's lesson explains how all of those who accept Christ as intercessor for their sins, become the seeds of Abraham through the promise made to Abraham by God Himself, and are therefore brothers and sisters to the Jews. In becoming the seed of Abraham through acceptance of Christ, we become the heirs (beneficiaries) of the covenant.

This is another lesson that contains some of the most reassuring words to be found in the bible. It assures us that we need not fear the possibility of losing our salvation, and explains why. Herein it is made vividly clear that the restrictions of the law no longer apply to those of us whom have placed our faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul very eloquently explains that the Law of Moses was sent as a teacher, a "schoolmaster", and was made the definer of sin so that upon its fulfillment by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, to those of us who believe in Him, our sins are, not just forgiven, but JUSTIFIED.

We should all realize that the words of this lesson have, over the centuries, been so distorted that their meaning has, for all practical purposes, to some, been lost in the shuffle.

It also behooves us to note that although the Galatians appeared to have fallen away from the true gospel, their salvation was never compromised. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
NOTE: The term "baptized", as it is applied in this passage, simply means 'immersed', the use of water as a medium is not implied. In modern English that portion of the passage would read, All whom have believed in Christ and been immersed into His Sacrifice and have been secured by His cloak of righteousness.

This opinion is substantiated by the Phrase that immediately follows which implies that those whom have been immersed into Christ, "have put on Christ."

There is NO reference to water baptism in this passage.

This lesson also clarifies the error made by those who, for whatever reason, chase after false doctrines, and spiritual romanticism, placing their faith in things other than the divine sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God's plan to send us a Savior is demonstrated throughout the Old Testament, an in depth study of the Old Testament, as well as the New, is essential to a complete understanding of the "operations of God" as that terminology defines a part of today's lesson and is applied in Colossians 2:12, "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." ~