Galatians 3:12
The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”
Galatians 3:23-25
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.
25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
It is a common practice of religious men to take a verse here and there from Paul and use it to promote popular religious doctrines and traditions of the land. Peter warns us of this. I'm hoping you might reconsider your understanding of these verses, as they support my statement, they don't condemn it.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth (HIS) righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Regarding the Scriptures you posted, I am hoping to have a short unbiased discussion of their content.
What was to lead the Jews to the Lords Christ, the Lamb of God? The knowledge and acceptance of God's Laws? Or the knowledge and acceptance that they have lived contrary to them?
I would say if one were to consider the first part of Gal. 3, they would find the latter as the truth of this chapter.
Gal. 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the
works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
If you could answer this question in a simple manner as you replied to my comment, that would be great. "Who does the Holy Scriptures teach that God gives HIS Spirit to? The repentant? Or the unrepentant?
In my understanding the answer would be "the repentant". And what must happen before the Spirit of God can rest on me? I must receive atonement/forgiveness, Yes? Is this not a true answer?
And before the Christ came, how was atonement achieved? When a man sinned, what did Moses say must happen before this man could be justified? Did Moses say "if a man sins, let him keep the Sabbath Holy, and his sins will be forgiven? Did Moses say, "if a man sins he must Love his neighbor as himself, and his sins are forgiven"?
No brother, here is what Moses said was required before a man could be justified "before the Christ came"
Lev. 4:17
And the priest shall dip his finger
in some of the blood, and sprinkle
it seven times before the LORD,
even before the vail.
18 And he shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before the LORD, that is in the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
19 And he shall take all his fat from him, and burn it upon the altar.
20 And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
This is the law that Abraham didn't have, that was "ADDED" 430 years later to God's Laws that define sin, "Till the Seed should come".
This is what Paul and the Jews were "locked under" until "Faith" in the blood of the Lord's Christ came. These are the "Works of the Law" the Jews were still bewitching the Gentiles with because they didn't believe in the Justification of sin through Faith in Jesus, rather, justification by the temporary sacrificial, ceremonial "Works" of the Levitical Priesthood.
"24 So the law (Of justification) was our guardian
until Christ came (Lamb of God) that we might be justified
by faith. (Not by works of the Law of atonement "ADDED" 430 years after Abraham obeyed God's Laws, Statutes, Commandments and judgments.)
Galatians 3:12 The (Works of the) law (Of atonement) is not based on faith;
on the contrary, it says, “The person who
does these things will live by them.”
Does what? Purchase their atonement by bringing an animal to the Levite Priest.
But the repentant new man, who no longer rebels and rejects, but of his own free will, submits to the Righteousness of God, regardless of what the religions of the land preach, this man is justified.
2 Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity. (Lawlessness)
So then in truth, Paul is teaching that when we find the Lord's Christ:
"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (old man crucified)
This is the Gospel he taught.
Those are the ones He predestined in Ephesians 1 and Romans 8.
