Bible Truth #305 - Galatians 3:21-23

Galatians 3:21-23

21  Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

22  But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

23  Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.

Verse 22 - The Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin. One of the passages to which that is referring is Romans 3:9-19 that includes the well-known verse There is none that doeth good, no not one. (Psalm 14:1-3, 53:1-3). This is clearly a reference to the Totally Depraved nature of man, the universal “lostness” of the unredeemed soul.

But the verse goes on to say that what was promised (salvation) might be given to those who believe. Did Paul write that salvation would be given to the whole world? Did Paul write that salvation would be given to every human who ever lived? The answer to these questions and every similar question is a resounding NO! It would be given, and given freely, only to those who believe.

Now we get back to the root of the problem Arminians have with God’s Word. God’s Word tells us over and over that an unredeemed man possesses a spirit that is dead (Ephesians 2:1, 2:5, Colossians 2:13). The Arminian does not have a problem with this, however, they believe a man with a dead spirit can do something which requires the spirit to be alive first. The Arminian believes a man with a dead spirit:

- can please God. He can’t (Romans 8:8).

- will come into the Light. He won’t. (John 3:20)

- can understand. He can’t. (Romans 3:11, 1 Corinthians 2:14)

- will believe. He can’t (John 6:29, Philippians 1:29)
- can bring forth good fruit. He can't. (Luke 6:43)

In spite of God’s Word telling us the opposite, a lot of Christian believe that a lost man can decide of his own volition to become a believer in Jesus Christ. God’s Word tells us THAT is impossible as well. We become children of God NOT by human decision (John 1:13).