Shepherd of the Hills - Richfield, Wisconsin
Religion & Spirituality:Christianity
Galatians 3:15-25 (NIV)
The Law and the Promise
15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. 19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one. 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 Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Children of God
23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
How would you share this passage with someone who thinks keeping the Ten Commandments or the Golden Rule is enough to be right with God?
Lord, I am a sinner. I am aware of that because Your law points me to my sin, It exposes where I fall short. It tells me what sin is. My soul is worn down by my failure to try to live by the rules, to treat others properly, and to maintain a righteous heart, mind, and actions. I am not capable of meeting all of the requirements of the law. Your righteousness requires justice for my sins. Your justice demands that sin is punished. Since I am not capable of meeting Your law, I deserve punishment and death. Your law shows my need for salvation. It points me away from myself to the only one who is righteous enough to meet the requirements of the law and provide for my salvation. It’s pointing me to You, my Savior. The Law reveals that Christ did it all perfectly. You did what I could not do. You paid the penalty of justice of my sin. I am freed from the curse of the law by Your grace. By Your death on the cross, You justified me and all who believe in You. Lord, thank you that, in this ultimate act of service, you took my curse upon yourself. Thank you that as a result, I am justified by faith in you. Thank you that now I am set free to serve You. It is by Your grace that I have been saved. It is by my love and gratitude that I serve You. Let me desire to follow Your law out of loving obedience that leads me to depend more on You. Amen
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