LLM Question of the Day for 11-25-2011, and, THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS – THE INTRODUCTION, PART 1 of 7

First the Question: Before the Law was given at Sinai, there were NO Old Testament saints. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 11-22-2011

Question: It is a serious spiritual crime to offer to saint or sinner a message of Grace and Law...MIXED, which is ANOTHER Gospel. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! Now listen to me very carefully, the messenger may believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures, in the virgin birth and Deity of the LORD Jesus Christ, in His sacrifice for sins and His bodily resurrection, in the Deity and personality of the Holy Spirit, and still be a heretic, guilty of frustrating the Grace of God and perverting the Gospel of Grace. God is very jealous concerning His own redemptive work. It is a serious spiritual crime to offer to saint or sinner a message of Grace and law, mixed, which is ANOTHER Gospel. The Epistle to the Galatians is the antidote for the Roman Catholicism, Seventh Day Adventism, Church of Christ-ism, and for the false teachings of every other “Law” sect in Christendom. Now, out of the 758 responses we received to this question only 75% of you got it right. Therefore, today let us consider,

THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS – THE INTRODUCTION, PART 1 of 7



As we begin this study of the Epistle to the Galatians let us allow the Holy Spirit to teach us the most important truth stated in the conclusion of Romans 3:28, “therefore we conclude that a man is justified by Faith without the deeds of the law”. Again “even as David also de­scribed the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteous­ness without works” Romans 4:6. “Religion” might be used as a synonym for “deeds of the law” and “works.” And by this we learn that God, in the act of declaring the believing sinner righteous, is in no way influenced by man’s religious nature or religious activities or religious ceremonies; that is, in this Day of Grace. In Romans 3:24, the word translated “freely” is “dorian,” the same word used in John 15:25, con­cerning Christ who was hated “without a cause.” “Being declared right­eous by God’s Grace without a cause through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24. The sinner does not act, but rather, is acted upon by God. “God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Ephesians 2:10.

How important it is to settle in one’s mind and heart this great fundamental Divine truth the fact that the sinner must be the workman­ship of God before he can be the workman of God.

Although it is not possible for the human mind or heart to fully appreciate and comprehend the Grace of God, we scarcely begin this appreciation and comprehension until we are assured, by the Scriptures, that eternal life is the free gift of God. No human being deserves God’s favor. Grace excludes human merit or worthiness. Righteousness, salvation and eternal life cannot be purchased or earned. Boasting is excluded by the law of Faith. Romans 3:27. The good deeds of the best of the human race can play no part in his salvation.

This may cause us to ask; “how about Cornelius, whose prayers and alms went up to God as a memorial, whose righteous acts were acknow­ledged and praised by Peter?” Acts 10:2, Acts 10:22, and Acts 10:34-38. In our verse study we are to compare Peter’s message and commission with those of the Apostle Paul. Paul’s message was “not by works of righteousness,” “not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and Grace,” “declared righteous without a cause.” Titus 3:5. Ephesians 2:8-9. 2 Timothy 1:9. Romans 3:24.

Inasmuch as the Galatians were principally Gentiles, it would be a good idea to approach the study with Ephesians 3:1-3 and Romans 11:13 in mind. We quote these statements of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul:

Ephesians 3:1-3, “For this cause, I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ FOR YOU GENTILES If ye have heard of the Dispensation of THE GRACE OF GOD which is given me to YOU-WARD How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words”

Romans 11:13, “For I speak to you GENTILES inasmuch as I am THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES, I magnify mine office.”

Let no one think that Paul condoned sin in any way. No one ever presented a higher spiritual standard for the behavior of the sinner saved by Grace. He emphatically declared that God’s infinite abounding Grace, and God’s almighty power were ever available for members of Christ’s Body and were always sufficient for every task, every test and every temptation. Believers were exhorted to abstain from every appear­ance of evil. “Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19.

However, the Holy Spirit, by Paul, did not present the law as a unit, as the believer’s rule of life. Paul condemned Peter for not walking up­rightly according to the gospel. Galatians 2:10-14. There is a great difference between the law and the gospel. The Apostle Paul used, about eighty times, the expression “in Christ,” or its equivalent. He declared that a believer could not be “in Christ” and at the same time “under the law.” With Christ to mix law with Grace was a spiritual crime, which called for the anathema of God. Such a mixture produced a perverted gospel, which subverted the soul. This is clearly stated in detail in Acts 15. This chap­ter should be carefully studied before entering into the study of Gala­tians. The same heresy is dealt with in both Scriptures. Certainly legal­ists had preached Moses to Gentile converts, and after Paul’s visit and protests there was unanimous agreement among the Apostles. It is recorded in Acts 15:19-24.

Acts 15:19 and Acts 15:24, “Therefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles are turned to God.”, and, “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment.”

Carefully read Colossians 1:24-29 as to Paul’s Christ-given mission to the Gentiles. Then read these verses in the second chapter, which we quote here...

Colossians 2:13-14, and Colossians 2:16-17, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.”, and, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.”, and, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in re­spect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days Which are a shadow of things to come; but the Body is of Christ.”

There is not a debate in the Epistle to the Galatians, whether or not the believer should live either under the law or in the flesh or in sin. There is a plain positive message that the justified believer is not under the law: that he is not to walk in flesh; not to use his “Grace” liberty as a license to sin. Paul himself was never once guilty of “antinomian­ism,” Neither did he encourage any believer to continue in sin that Grace might abound. The Romans 6 is the Holy Spirit’s Scriptural argument against antinomianism “How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?”

However, the word “antinomianism” is from “anti” “against”, and “nomus” “the law”. There is a sense in which Romans 6:14 is antinomianism, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under Grace.” Read also Hebrews 7:11-12, and Galatians 2:19-21.

The Apostle Paul, in his writings, was led by the Spirit of God to teach the believers that which is almost impossible to teach many of them; that is, the difference between good works as a factor in securing salvation and the fruit after salvation without works. There is a great difference between “the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” and “the law of Sinai,” which was the ministration of death and condemnation. 2 Cor. 3:7-9, Romans 8:2-11.

It should prove helpful to compare the expression in Galatians 5:23, “against such there is no law” with the statement in Romans 5:13, “when there is no law.”

“Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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