How does Galatians 3:12 contrast faith and the law for righteousness? The Text: Galatians 3:12 “The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, ‘The man who does these things will live by them.’” Setting the Contrast • Two paths to “live”: – Law: “do these things.” – Faith: believe in the promise already fulfilled in Christ (v.11). • Paul quotes Leviticus 18:5 to show the law’s demand for perfect, continuous obedience— anything less brings condemnation. Law: “Do and Live” • Performance-based: righteousness is earned only by flawless deeds. • Conditional: blessing hinges on uninterrupted obedience (Deuteronomy 27:26; James 2:10). • Impersonal: the law offers no inner power to keep its own commands, only standards and penalties. • Result: exposes sin and points to the need for a Savior (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24). Faith: “Believe and Live” • Promise-based: righteousness is credited through trusting God’s provision (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). • Unconditional: Christ’s finished work secures acceptance apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Personal: unites the believer to Christ, granting new life and the Spirit (Galatians 3:2; 3:14). • Result: produces obedience empowered by grace, not to earn righteousness but to display it (Titus 2:11-12). Why the Two Systems Can’t Blend • Different foundations—law depends on human achievement; faith depends on divine accomplishment. • Mixing them negates grace: “if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing” (Galatians 2:21). • Attempting both leaves one under the curse of unmet law-demands (Galatians 3:10). Echoes Throughout Scripture • Habakkuk 2:4: “The righteous will live by faith.” • Romans 10:5-6: contrasts Leviticus 18:5 (“do”) with Deuteronomy 30 (“believe”). • Philippians 3:9: righteousness “not of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.” • Hebrews 10:38: reiterates life by faith, not by law-based shrinking back. Living Out the Contrast Today • Rest: confidence that Christ’s obedience satisfies the law’s every demand (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Gratitude: good works flow from a heart already accepted, not striving for acceptance (Galatians 5:6). • Freedom: no longer enslaved to performance anxiety; the Spirit fosters love, joy, peace (Galatians 5:22-23). • Witness: a life centered on faith showcases God’s grace better than rule-keeping ever could (Matthew 5:16). The verse draws a bright line: law says “do and live,” faith says “believe and live.” Only faith in Christ meets God’s righteous standard and empowers true obedience. |
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