How can we apply "the man who does these things will live by them"? Reading the Verse in Its Setting “Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, ‘The man who does these things will live by them.’” (Galatians 3:11-12) Where the Phrase Comes From “Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 18:5) Paul quotes Moses verbatim. The promise is straightforward: perfect obedience brings life. Paul’s Logic: Law vs. Faith • Law says, “Do and live.” • Faith says, “Believe and live.” • Once a person chooses the law as the path to life, absolute compliance is required (Romans 10:5; James 2:10). • Because fallen humans never keep the law flawlessly, the law ends up exposing sin rather than securing life (Galatians 3:10). What “Live by Them” Literally Means • The words are covenantal: life, blessing, fellowship with God. • They carry no wiggle room—continuous, flawless obedience is demanded. • It is a real promise from God, not an exaggerated warning. Break the law once, and the promise of life under the law is forfeited. Why We Can’t Achieve Life Through Law-Keeping • “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). • The law magnifies sin and imposes its curse: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law” (Galatians 3:10). • Therefore, no flesh will be justified by works of the law (Galatians 2:16). How Christ Gives the Life the Law Promised • Christ obeyed the law perfectly (Matthew 5:17). • “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse on our behalf” (Galatians 3:13). • Through His death and resurrection He grants the very life the law offered, but now by faith (Romans 8:3-4). Living Today in the Power of the Spirit • The Spirit writes God’s law on believing hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3). • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). • The fruit of the Spirit fulfills the moral intent of the statutes (Galatians 5:22-23). Practical Steps to Walk Out This Truth – Trust Christ alone for righteousness; reject any self-saving project. – Daily rehearse the gospel: Jesus kept the law for you, died for your failures, and lives to intercede. – Feed on Scripture so the Spirit has ready material to shape thoughts and actions. – Invite accountability with fellow believers; obedience flourishes in community (Hebrews 10:24-25). – When you fail, confess quickly (1 John 1:9), rest again in Christ’s finished work, and step forward in fresh obedience. – Serve others in love; “the entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:14). Guardrails Against Legalism and License • Legalism forgets Christ’s sufficiency and tries to earn standing. • License forgets that Christ’s sufficiency frees us to holiness, not sin. Keep both errors at bay by fixing your joy on the Savior who fulfilled the law and by depending on His Spirit to walk out the life He purchased. Summary “The man who does these things will live by them” remains literally true. Yet only One has ever “done these things” without fail—Jesus Christ. When we trust Him, His obedience is credited to us, and His Spirit empowers a growing, grateful obedience that reflects the life the law originally promised. |
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