(Gal. 3:19-24) In harmony with the book of Romans, Paul is careful to stipulate in Galatians that the purpose of the law is to define sin and not to make people righteous (Gal. 3:19, Gal. 3:21). Read Galatians 3:23-24. What images does Paul use to describe the purpose of the law? What do you think … Continue reading –>
(Rom. 9:30-10:4) The title for this week’s lesson comes from Romans 10:4-Christ is the end of the law (NKJV). Many who have been preconditioned to think negatively about the law automatically interpret the text to mean, Christ made the law obsolete. However, this reading goes against the many references in the book of Romans and other … Continue reading –>
(Rom. 7:21-25) Read Romans 7:13-25. How are we to understand these verses? Is Paul talking about an unconverted man, or is this the experience of the converted? What reasons can you give for your answer? If you were unsure as to whom these verses refer, you are not alone. Theologians also have wrestled with this … Continue reading –>
(Rom. 6:15-23) One of the most difficult concepts for Christians to comprehend is the continued role of the law for the one saved by grace. If a believer attains righteousness by accepting the sufficiency of the life and death of Jesus, why is it still necessary to keep the law? This question provides another opportunity … Continue reading –>
(Rom. 5:12-21) Though it points out sins, the law is powerless to save us from them. That very powerlessness, however, shows us our need for Jesus, the only solution for sin. Read Romans 5:12-21. In what way is the message of God’s grace revealed in these texts? Notice in this passage the constant association between … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rom. 5:12-21, Rom 6:15-23, Rom 7:13-25, Rom 9:30-10:4, Gal. 3:19-24. Memory Text: For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (Romans 10:4, NRSV). A well-known magazine ran a full-page ad with a headline that read: Achieve Immortality! (we’re not kidding). … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Ellen G. White, It Is Finished, pp. 758-764, in The Desire of Ages. The law requires righteousness,-a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God’s holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a … Continue reading –>
(Gal. 3:10-14) What do the following texts tell us about human nature? How do we see the reality of this truth every day? Ps. 51:5, Isa. 64:6, and Rom. 3:23. With the exception of Christ, all human beings have a common experience in that all have been infected by Adam’s sin. Consequently, no natural person can … Continue reading –>
Though in one sense, as we saw, the law empowers sin, in another real way the law is terribly impotent. How can the same object be both powerful and impotent at the same time? Here again, the difference lies not in the law but in the person. For the one who discovers that he is … Continue reading –>
According to Romans 4:15, Romans 5:13, and Romans 7:7, what is the function of the law? Also, what does Romans 7:8-11 say about the effect that the law has on the person who violates it? Every instrument has its purpose. Just as a key is used for opening a lock or a knife is used … Continue reading –>
