Study Desk

I say that we are not to put aside the loving-favor of God. If we could be made right with God by keeping the Law, then Christ died for nothing.

It was the same with Abraham. He put his trust in God. This made Abraham right with God.

Be sure to remember that all men who put their trust in God are the sons of Abraham.

The Holy Writings said long ago that God would save the people who are not Jews from the punishment of sin also. Before this time the Holy Writings gave the Good News to Abraham in these words, "All nations will be happy because of you."

No one is made right with God by doing what the Law says. For, "The man right with God will live by faith."

This is what I am saying: The Law which came 430 years later could not change the promise. The promise had already been made by God. The Law could not put that promise aside.

If it had been possible to be saved from the punishment of sin by obeying the Law, the promise God gave Abraham would be worth nothing. But since it is not possible to be saved by obeying the Law, the promise God gave Abraham is worth everything.

Then why do we have the Law? It was given because of sin. It was to be used until Christ came. The promise had been made looking toward Christ. The Law was given by angels through Moses who stood between God and man.

But when the promise was given to Abraham, God gave it without anyone standing between them.

Is the Law against the promise of God? No! Never! If it had been possible to be saved from the punishment of sin by obeying the Law, then being right with God would have come by obeying the Law.

The Law was used to lead us to Christ. It was our teacher, and so we were made right with God by putting our trust in Christ.

You are now children of God because you have put your trust in Christ Jesus.

God does not see you as a Jew or as a Greek. He does not see you as a servant or as a person free to work. He does not see you as a man or as a woman. You are all one in Christ.

If you belong to Christ, then you have become the true children of Abraham. What God promised to him is now yours.

But at the right time, God sent His Son. A woman gave birth to Him under the Law.

This all happened so He could buy with His blood and make free all those who were held by the Law. Then we might become the sons of God.

Because you are the sons of God, He has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. The Spirit cries, "Father!"

So now you are no longer a servant who is owned by someone. You are a son. If you are a son, then you will receive what God has promised through Christ.

During the time when you did not know God, you worshiped false gods.

But now that you know God, or should I say that you are known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak old Law? Why do you want to do those religious acts of worship that will keep you from being free? Why do you want to be held under the power of the Law again?