Promise Over Performance | Walking Free, Part 7

Walking Free, pt 7 – “Promise over Performance”

Galatians 3:14-29
so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. To give a human example, brothers: even with a man- made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the
law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come
to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an
intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then
contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life,
then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything
under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming
faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that
we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a
guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as
were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are
Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Christians do not inherit a Law to be followed but a promise to be believed.
If we are free from the law does that mean we don’t have to obey the law of God?
If I’m only saved by Christ’s performance then why should I strive to live a holy life?
Do we have any obligation to keep the Law, and if so, why?

The most important thing about us is NOT our behavior but our identity in Christ.
3 questions from this passage: 
What is the Promise?
Why the Law?
How do we receive the inheritance?

Galatians 3:15-18
To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds
to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring.
It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your
offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does
not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the
inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a
promise.

1. What is the Promise?
The promise was God’s plan A.
Galatians 3:16
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to
offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

We don’t need behavior modification.
We need a completely new identity.

2. Why then the Law?
Galatians 3:19,22,24
Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to
whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.
22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus
Christ might be given to those who believe. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ
came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

Reasons for the Law: 
1. Restrain sin
2. Reveal sin
3. Point to the Savior

3. How do we receive the inheritance?
Galatians 3:25-29
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are
all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on
Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and
female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s
offspring, heirs according to promise.
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

When we are in Christ, Christ is in us,
AND everything true of Jesus is true of us.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for
you are all one in Christ Jesus.

We are not the same but we are equal.

Galatians 3:29
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.