What is the law of Christ?
(Galatians 6:1-10; Matt. 18:15-17; Rom. 15:1; John. 13:34; 1 Tim. 6:18) Blog 17-23 Sep., 2017
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In Galatians Paul teaches that the gospel is about Christ and him crucified, that faith in this gospel brings salvation, that it comes to a person only by divine revelation, that it demands a lifestyle corresponding to the gift of righteousness we receive in Jesus, and that this lifestyle is not part of the means whereby we are justified but rather the fruit of our justification. Our faith grasps the righteousness of Christ that meets God’s perfect standard. This truth is worth dividing the church over and those that teach that faith is an insufficient means for receiving God’s acceptance (and God’s Holy Spirit) should be disfellowshipped from the church. They are in slavery for they seek God’s acceptance by their performance or a portion of it. We who are justified by faith alone are free from the condemnation of the law for in Christ we have perfectly fulfilled the law and now have motivation, power, and guidance to obey it.
Burdens (Galatians 6:1-5; Mat. 18:15-17; Rom. 15:1; John 13:34)
1. Who in the church are spiritual?
2. What does Paul mean by “overtaken in a fault”?
3. What does it mean “to restore such a one”?
4. In what two directions could one be tempted while restoring a faulty brother?
5. What kind of burdens is Paul talking about in verse two?
6. How are we to bear one another’s burdens?
7. What is the law of Christ?
8. What is the difference between verse five and verse two?
9. As we examine our good deeds with whose should we compare them?
10. When will each of us carry our own burdens?
Harvest (Galatians 6:6-10; Hosea 8:7; Rev. 18:6)
11. If someone sows “good seed” in your heart what should be your response?
12. How sure is the harvest God promises?
13. Who will participate in the harvest God promises?
14. What can we learn about the harvest from the word “shall” in verse 7?
15. What can we learn about the harvest from the word “whatsover” in verse 7?
16. What general principle applies to the amount one harvests?
Good Deeds (Galatians 6:9-10; Eze. 18:24; 33:13; Matt. 5:16; Efe. 2:10; 1 Tim. 6:18)
17. How could a Christian lose the harvest of good deeds he has sown?
18. To whom is the Christian to do good deeds?
19. Who first and primarily is to be the object of the Christian’s good deeds?
20. With all Paul’s emphasis on faith in Galatians why is he now talking about good deeds?
ANSWERS: 1.Those who have received the Holy Spirit – true believers; 2. Fallen into some sin; 3. Help them confess & abandon that sin so as to recover the joy of their salvation & the loving fellowship of other church members; 4. To consider oneself better than that person or to join in their sin; 5. Afflictions, weaknesses, perplexities, temptations, persecutions, poverty, sickness, sorrowing, & fearful; 6. Speak words of encouragement or counsel, stand by their side when persecuted, give them aide in their poverty, healing in their sickness, comfort in their sorrow,& guidance in their fears & perplexities; 7. That we love others in the same way Christ has loved us; 8. The tense of the verb; 9. With our own to see how we are advancing or with Christ’s to see how far short we fall, but not with those of other people; 10. In God’s final judgment wher we cannot bear those of another; 11. Share your blessings with them; 12. Very sure; 13. Every human being; 14. That it is future; 15. That it wil be of the same kind as what we sow; 16. One harvests more than he sows; 17. By turning from faith in the righteousness of Christ & trusting in his own righteousness thus turning to iniquity; 18. Everyone; 19. Believers in Jesus; 20. Because good deeds are the fruit of faith & the fruit of the Spirit & he wants us to know exactly what they include so we may abound in them, thus giving glory to God.