Yes, watch Paul the student of history!

Numerically proving that salvation is “by grace”, and has been “by grace” (meaning by the “Promise of God,” just as well say the “Gift of God,” to an undeserving humanity) … since the days of Abraham!

Which would have been, in matter of time, hundreds of years before Moses ever received the Law from Almighty God! (And Paul is about to tell us exactly how many years, Paul the “mathematician” as I indicated in the Lesson title!)

Now here’s today’s Bible Text: “And this I (Paul) say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.” Galatians 3:17

God the Father and God the Son (long, long ago) entered into “Agreement,” into “Covenant” concerning the salvation of us lost souls!  (That verb “was confirmed before” is “prokuroo,” meaning “lorded into existence!” Yes, it utilizes the very Greek word for “Lord,” spelled “kurios!” Plus … this verb is only used here in all the Bible! Very significant!)

Salvation (the Cross of Calvary) was settled as a Fact long before the Law ever existed! Or existed on Stone, anyway!

“Of God in Christ” with the Holy Ghost being the Executor! That is the Plan of salvation to the lost! Who upon hearing, if faith is exercised … are born-again into the family of God!

How long ago did this great Agreement take place? This Covenant “of God in Christ?” Peter says, “before the foundation of the world!” 1st Peter 1:20, King James Version.

Wow!

So … Paul’s “point” today is that the way of salvation, the means of our being cleansed from sin, and our names written down in Heaven … was settled four centuries before the Law was given on Mount Sinai! (Precisely, 430 years, says Paul the Holy Spirit inspired mathematician!)

And that being the case, Paul argues, the Law (all 613 of its commandments) can NEVER render void God’s pristine Plan of salvation!

The verb “disannul” is “akuroo,” can not “repeal!” (Can not “kick off the throne,” can not “un-lord!”) A beautiful word!

The Law can not “make God’s Promise of none effect,” Paul continues! Paul reemphasizes! Here the verb “make of none effect” is “katargeo,” meaning “to render idle!” In the King James Version this rare word is translated as: “destroy” (5 times), “do away” (3 times), or “abolish” (3 times)!

The Law cannot overpower God’s GRACE!

Hallelujah!

Therefore Paul can write again and again: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9, no Mosaic Law mentioned!

Galatians 3:17, truly one of the earth-shaking verses of Scripture! 

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

The Lord willing, another fresh Lesson tomorrow morning.

I am loving Galatians, afresh and anew!