“Theologically, anyone who says: I can be saved by obeying the law must then be prepared to really look at what the law commands. To love God wholly, we would have to obey the law wholly. To be blessed by God instead of cursed by Him, we would have to look at the law and satisfy its every demand. And that cannot be done. Objectively, attempting salvation-by-law- observance means we are cursed.

This means that, psychologically, everyone who is seeking to save themselves by their own performance will experience a curse subjectively. At the very least, attempting to be saved by works will lead to profound anxiety and insecurity, because you can never be sure that you are living up to your standards sufficiently.” – Tim Keller

“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.” – Max Lucado

JUSTIFICATION Just as if I had never sinned Just as if I had always obeyed

Justification – is about Christ dying for my sins on the cross. Sanctification – is about Christ living in me to change my life.

Justification – God declares us right because of Christ’s obedience Sanctification – God changes us with his power as we obey

“The main thing between you and God is not so much your sins; it's your damnable good works.” – John H. Gerstner

“All you need when it comes to salvation is nothing.”

"The principle of law and the principle of faith are quite opposite; you cannot direct your life by both at one and the same time; you must choose; and therefore the only logical choice is to abandon the way of legalism and to venture upon the way of faith, of taking God at His word and of trusting in His love." -- William Barclay

15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.

21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. – Galatians 3:15-22

“Circumcision was the sign of the covenant not a work to maintain it. It was done to the recipient and it was hidden to most all who saw them. The New Covenant is the culmination of the Abrahamic/Mosaic covenant. We are the recipients of the promises.

We are given them freely, Christ kept the law entirely and his righteousness maintains us in the covenant. The circumcision is that of the heart, which is completed as the Holy Spirit, applies the Law to our hearts. God took the grand intent and completed it where we are too weak to accomplish it.” – Bob Stewart

“It’s not the strength of your faith – it’s the object of your faith”

The law is the light that reveals how dirty the room is, not the broom that sweeps it clean.

“After God gave the promise to Abraham, He gave the law to Moses. Why? He had to make things worse before He could make them better. The law exposed sin, provoked sin, condemned sin. The purpose of the law was to lift the lid off man’s respectability and disclose what he is really underneath -- sinful, rebellious, guilty, under the judgment of God and helpless to save himself.

No man has ever appreciated the gospel until the law has first revealed him to himself. It is only against the inky blackness of the night sky that the stars begin to appear, it’s only against the dark background of sin and judgment that the gospel shines forth.” – John Stott

“As a wild beast is tied to keep it from running amuck, so the Law bridles mad and furious man to keep him from running wild.” – Martin Luther

23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. - Galatians 3:23-29

Being clothed with Christ (3:27) speaks of:

1. Our primary identity in Christ

Being clothed with Christ (3:27) speaks of: 1. Our primary identity in Christ 2. The closeness of our relationship with him.

Being clothed with Christ (3:27) speaks of: 1. Our primary identity in Christ 2. The closeness of our relationship with him. 3. Our imitation of Christ

Being clothed with Christ (3:27) speaks of: 1. Our primary identity in Christ 2. The closeness of our relationship with him. 3. Our imitation of Christ 4. Our acceptability with God.

The GOSPEL Destroys Barriers:

1. Cultural

The GOSPEL Destroys Barriers: 1. Cultural 2. Class

The GOSPEL Destroys Barriers: 1. Cultural 2. Class 3. Gender

“You sum up the whole of New Testament teaching in a single phrase, if you speak of it as a revelation of the Fatherhood of the holy Creator.

In the same way, you sum up the whole of New Testament religion if you describe it as the knowledge of God as one’s holy Father.

What is a Christian? The richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as his Father.

If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father.

If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.

For everything that Christ taught, everything that makes the New Testament new, and better than the Old, everything that is distinctively Christian as opposed to merely Jewish, is summed up I the knowledge of the Fatherhood of God.” – J. I. Packer (Knowing God