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"No one is justified by the law...is evident..."

Text: Galatians 3:11a

HAS ANYONE EVER BEEN JUSTIFIED BY KEEPING THE LAW?

This thought was at the back of Paul’s mind as he wrote the following text.

But that no one is justified by the law
in the sight of God is evident…

Galatians 3:11

1. Looking at the great historical figures of Israel

a) Abraham was not sinless.

b) Moses was not free from blame either.

c) King David was deeply flawed.

2. Looking at the history of nations

a) The nations (Gentiles) were constantly at war.

b) Israel was steeped in sin.

3. Looking at the Scriptures

a) David’s view of sinful mankind (Psalm 14).

b) Another Davidic Psalm that speaks of the wicked (Psalm 58).

c) The prophets testify of the wretchedness of man’s estate (Isaiah 53).

4. “No one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident”

a) Paul concludes that he has found no one who can claim that he is justified by the law.

i) Not in the annals of Biblical history.

ii) Not in his personal knowledge.

iii) Not by any form of logic devised.

iv) Not if we are truly honest with ourselves.

b) “In the sight of God”

i) This makes it even more sobering.

ii) We may deceive ourselves that we are righteous and we deserve to be justified.

iii) In the sight of an omniscient God no one would dare to claim he is fully righteous and he has kept the whole law.

iv) In the sight of an absolutely holy God, all human righteousness are as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).

v) Any attempt to claim justification is false and wicked, and self-deceiving.