Men's Group Study Guide
NIV Notes by Kelly Link
Introduction
This week we will look at the law and whether it is relevant in today’s world. In Paul’s day, the Judaizers had misperceptions about the law and how it could save a person. Paul confronts this heresy by putting the law in its right place and explaining to his readers it is by faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ that saves. But the law does serve a purpose today. Both for the saved and the unsaved. Let’s pray and dig right in.
STUDY NOTES: verses 19-25
V.19-20 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The Law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. - Abraham was given the promise from God Himself. Although it was not mentioned in Exodus, the Jews believed the Ten Commandments had been given to Moses by angels. Stephen referred to this in his speech in (Acts 7: 38, 53). Paul was showing the superiority of salvation and growth by faith over trying to be saved by keeping the Jewish laws.
V.21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. - The Judaizers accused Paul of disregarding the law. However, far from disregarding the law Paul explains why the law came and puts it in its proper place. The law doesn’t bring life to men but death. This is because of our sin nature. (Matthew 5: 17), (Romans 3: 31), (Romans 7: 7-13), (Galatians 2: 21), (Romans 10: 3-6)
V.22 But the scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. - Paul backs up his statement that the law cannot impart life to men because we are all prisoners of sin.(Romans 3: 23) And the penalty of sin is death! The promise given to Abraham and his seed was revealed when Jesus Christ was crucified and raised to life on the third day. The death Jesus died He died once for all men. (Mark 16: 16)
V.23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. - All people are held prisoner by sin until the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus Christ to them. This is usually is done by showing a person the law which reveals sin and points them towards Jesus Christ for they can be saved. (Hebrews 11: 13), (1Peter 1: 11-12)
V.24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. - Justified by faith in the finished work that Jesus did on the cross is what brings a person into a right relationship with God. Justified means “just if I had never sinned”. God only accepts people who are in Jesus Christ or born of the Spirit. This happens when a person, by faith, dies with Jesus on the cross. (Acts 13: 39), (Romans 3: 20)
V.25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. - The supervision of the law is like the supervision given by a tutor to a student. The law points us in the way we should go and shows us our need for salvation. Once a person is saved by faith in Jesus Christ the need to be supervised by the law is no longer needed. However, the law still applies today because it shows us the nature of God, His will, His moral laws, and His guidelines for living. (Romans 6: 14)
TRUTH APPLIED:
Q. 1 What was the purpose of the law?
Q. 2 The law was handed down to Moses by angels on Mt Sinai and the promise was given directly to Abraham by God. What does this communicate to people in regards to the relational difference between the law and the promise?
Q. 3 Please take some time to discuss the law verses the promise in regards to their proper place in today’s world? Do both still apply to mankind?
Q. 4 Read (Psalm 19: 7). What is the purpose of the law today?
Q. 5 Why is the law important in evangelizing? What is the result of an individual who only hears the Good News and not the Bad News?
Q. 6 Imagine if all the sin you had ever committed was forgiven by God. How does that make you feel? Now imagine if all the sin you had ever committed was now treated as though you had never sinned. How does that make you feel? Discuss the difference between the two feelings and decide which way God treats our sin and those who believe.
Q. 7 Has anyone ever treated you as though you had never sinned? Please share a testimony or two.
CONCLUSION:
Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. The law has its place in today’s world and it is extremely important that we understand that. As Christians we are no longer supposed to live under the law but under grace. But the law does serve a purpose for the believer by showing us God’s nature, His will, and His guidelines for living. We have been moved from having a legal relationship with God to a personal relationship with Him, and that by faith. But for those who haven’t come to know Christ the law is invaluable. Sin is revealed when the law is given. The law is the “Bad News” and we need to let others know there are consequences to sin. Without the conviction of sin people have no need for a savior. Please take some time to pray for one another and for those who do not know Jesus personally.
In Him,
Kelly Link