No Other Gospel – Week 6

5-Day Devotional on Galatians 3:15-25

Day 1: God’s Unchangeable Covenant

Summary:
Paul explains that God’s covenant with Abraham is unbreakable and not nullified by the law, which came later. This covenant is based on God’s promise, not on human works.

Read:

• Galatians 3:15-18
• Genesis 15:1-6
• Hebrews 6:17-18

Background:
Paul illustrates the permanence of God’s promise to Abraham by comparing it to a human covenant, which cannot be altered once confirmed. God’s promise, given 430 years before the law, stands as the basis of our inheritance, which comes by faith, not by the law.

Key Words:

• Covenant: A binding promise between God and His people, secured by His faithfulness.
• Inheritance: The blessings of salvation that come through faith in God’s promise.
• Promise: God’s guarantee, fulfilled in Christ.

Theological Truths:
John Calvin wrote, “The promise is not dependent on us, but on God’s eternal purpose and faithfulness.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does God’s unchanging promise give you security in your faith?(MULTILINE)
2. Why is it dangerous to add human effort to God’s promise of grace?(MULTILINE)
3. In what ways do you sometimes live as if God’s love depends on your works?(MULTILINE)

Application:
Rest today in the unchanging nature of God’s promises. Reflect on how your relationship with God is based on His faithfulness, not your performance.(MULTILINE)

Day 2: The Law and the Promise

Summary:
The law, which came after the promise, does not replace it. Rather, the law serves a different purpose, showing humanity its sinfulness but unable to bring life.

Read:

• Galatians 3:19-20
• Romans 7:7-12
• Deuteronomy 27:26

Background:
The law was given to highlight transgressions and reveal humanity’s need for a Savior. It was never intended to impart life or to serve as a means of salvation. Instead, it acts as a guardian until Christ, the promised Seed, fulfills the law on our behalf.

Key Words:

• Law: The commandments given to Moses, which reveal human sin but cannot save.
• Transgressions: Violations of God’s law, made clear by the law.
• Mediator: Moses, who mediated the law between God and Israel, unlike God’s direct promise to Abraham.

Theological Truths:
Martin Luther said, “The law is given, not to make us righteous, but to reveal sin and drive us to Christ.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. What role does the law play in revealing your need for a Savior?(MULTILINE)
2. Why is it important to recognize that the law cannot save, but points to Christ?(MULTILINE)
3. How does understanding the law’s purpose increase your gratitude for grace?(MULTILINE)

Application:
Identify one area where you are tempted to rely on rules or performance for your righteousness. Surrender that area to God, trusting in His promise.(MULTILINE)

Day 3: The Promise Fulfilled in Christ

Summary:
Paul clarifies that the promise given to Abraham finds its fulfillment in Christ. The promise of salvation is tied to one person, Jesus, not to adherence to the law.

Read:

• Galatians 3:16
• John 1:12-13
• Romans 9:6-8

Background:
The Judaizers were teaching that salvation required following Jewish customs. Paul, however, explains that the promise made to Abraham’s “seed” refers not to many descendants but to one, Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, both Jews and Gentiles become children of God.

Key Words:

• Seed: Refers to Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.
• Children of God: Those who are born again through faith in Christ.
• Inheritance: The blessing of eternal life, granted through Christ, not by natural descent or works.

Theological Truths:
Timothy Keller notes, “Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of all God’s promises to Abraham. It is through Him that we receive adoption as sons.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does the promise of salvation through Christ alone impact your view of faith?(MULTILINE)
2. Why is it significant that Jesus, not your performance, secures your inheritance?(MULTILINE)
3. How does understanding Christ as the promised Seed transform your identity?(MULTILINE)

Application:
Thank God today for your adoption into His family through Christ. Live in the confidence that your identity is secured by His promise.(MULTILINE)

Day 4: The Law as a Guardian

Summary:
The law acted as a guardian, guiding people toward Christ by showing them their sin and need for a Savior. Now that Christ has come, believers are no longer under the law’s supervision.

Read:

• Galatians 3:23-24
• Romans 6:14-15
• 2 Corinthians 3:6

Background:
Before Christ, the law served as a guardian, teaching and restraining people. But with the coming of Christ, believers are justified by faith and no longer need the law to guide them. They are now led by the Spirit and live by faith in Christ.

Key Words:

• Guardian: A tutor or custodian, referring to the law’s temporary role in guiding people before Christ.
• Faith: The means by which believers receive the promise of salvation and are justified.
• Justified: Declared righteous before God, not by law, but by faith.

Theological Truths:
John Stott explains, “The law was a tutor, designed to lead us to Christ, but now that we are in Christ, the law’s role has been fulfilled.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. In what ways has the law acted as a guardian in your life, pointing you to Christ?(MULTILINE)
2. How can you live in the freedom that comes from faith in Christ, rather than under the law’s constraints?(MULTILINE)
3. What does it mean to be justified by faith and not by works?(MULTILINE)

Application:
Reflect on how Christ has set you free from the law. Live in that freedom today by walking in faith, trusting in the Spirit’s guidance.(MULTILINE)

Day 5: Life Through the Promise

Summary:
The law could never give life or righteousness, but Christ, the fulfillment of the promise, brings eternal life through faith. Believers now live in the reality of God’s grace and inheritance.

Read:

• Galatians 3:25
• Romans 8:1-4
• Ephesians 2:8-10

Background:
Paul concludes that once Christ has come, the law’s role as a guardian is over. The believer’s life is now marked by faith in Christ, who has brought life and righteousness apart from the law. The law could not impart life; only the grace of Christ can do that.

Key Words:

• Life: Eternal life, found only through faith in Christ, not by the works of the law.
• Grace: The unearned favor of God, through which we are saved.
• Inheritance: The promise of salvation and eternal life, guaranteed to all who believe.

Theological Truths:
J.I. Packer writes, “Faith unites us to Christ and gives us a share in His righteousness and life. It is through Christ alone that we receive the fullness of God’s promises.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does living by grace through faith impact the way you view God’s commands?(MULTILINE)
2. In what areas of your life are you still tempted to live under the law’s control?(MULTILINE)
3. How can you walk more fully in the new life that Christ has provided?(MULTILINE)

Application:
Take time today to praise God for the life you have received through Christ. Commit to living in the freedom of grace, not under the burden of legalism.(MULTILINE)