Standing in the Courtroom of Heaven

Galatians 3:15-22
Mike Maglish

Part of Galatians

October 12, 2025

STANDING IN THE COURTROOM OF HEAVEN 
(Not Guilty By Abraham Solomon) 

 —Romans 3:19–20 

The Law SHOWS our GUILT 
19 “Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 
21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” —Galatians 3:19–22 

THE SCOPE OF THE LAW 
The Law wasn’t a mistake, it was a mirror. 
The Law reveals sin, it doesn’t remove it. 
The Law defines righteousness, but can’t deliver it. 
The Law can’t heal, but it shows what’s broken. 

“You don’t blame the thermometer for the fever. The thermometer only shows you what’s wrong. The Law does the same — it shows us how far we’ve fallen short.” 

“The Law shows us our sin, but it can’t save us from it. It’s a diagnostic, not a cure.” - Tim Keller 

WHAT WE LEARN 
• Until we admit our guilt, we’ll never reach for grace. 
• The Law strips away pride and self-justification. 
• It says to every human heart, “You don’t measure up — but Someone does.”

The PROMISE shows God’s PLAN 

15 “To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.” —Galatians 3:15-18 

Explanation 
Paul points back 430 years before the Law - To Abram (Septuagint Math) 

Explanation 
Paul points back 430 years before the Law - To Abram (Septuagint Math) 
God made a covenant that salvation would come through faith 
The Law didn’t cancel that; it simply came alongside it for a long time 
The Promise shows us that GRACE was God’s plan all along

“If God’s promise to Abraham was a signed contract, the Law was just a temporary regulation. It couldn’t alter the terms. The covenant still stands.” (Both and Jewish Contract Law) 

APPLICATION 
Our salvation doesn’t depend on our performance - It depends on God’s Promise. 
The Promise shows that God always intended to bless the world through one Offspring - Christ. 
Your standing before God rests on HIS faithfulness, not yours. 

Christ GIVES us STANDING 

16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ —Galatians 3:16 

22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe —Galatians 3:22 

Jesus is the true heir of the covenant (STANDING) 
Through faith, we are united with Him 
His standing becomes ours 
We’re not just forgiven; we’re declared righteous (FULL LEGAL STATUS) 

Takeaway: The Law Reveals GUILT, but Christ gives STANDING.