West Loop Church UBF

Key Verse 3:24

" So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith."

The book of Galatians sounds like a broken record. Paul seems to say the same thing again and again.  His motivation comes from his deep love for the Galatian Christians and for each of us. A pastor said the book of Romans explains what is the gospel. Galatians explains what the gospel is not!  The gospel is simply the good news is what Christ has done for us. Paul clearly taught, we saved only by faith in Christ alone and not through the law. It is so easy to turned away from the true Gospel. In verses 3:1-14, the Galatian Christians have lost sight of Christ who was clearly portrayed as crucified (1). Their identity as Christians, is no longer what Jesus did for them, but by their human effort.  In the next part, verses 15-29, he explains about the law and the promise of God. He explains the law is not greater than the promise of God. He explain the purpose of the law. Finally, he explain how they compliment each other. Each has the same purpose: To lead us to Christ our savior.

First, the Law Cannot Change the Promise (3:15-18)

One of the arguments of the Judaizers was that the giving of the law changed the original covenant of promise. The promise was given to Abraham about 2000 BC. Centuries later around 1450 BC, the law of Moses was given. The Judaizers said that the law overrules the promises of God. Therefore, it is the law that the Gentile Christians must abide by, not the promise of God. They said believing in Jesus is fine, but you need to obey the 600 plus laws in order to be righteous and approved by God. Paul contends that the law cannot change the original promise given by God.

Paul deconstructs their false beliefs by giving an example that we can all understand.  Look at verse 15, "Brothers, 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. " Here the covenant refers to something similar to a "last will and testament." This kind of human covenant Paul has in mind is also irrevocable. Once it is sealed, and delivered, it cannot be amended. There was a story of  a woman who died and left all her property to a university. The children have been left out of the mother's estate. They were outraged. They tried in the court of law to make amends to her will. However, they could do nothing by law to change the terms of the will.

What was the original contract or covenant that could not be changed? According to verse 16 and 17, it is referring to the promise God gave to Abraham. He promised that in him all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). All people on earth would be blessed through Jesus Christ and not through the law. Before the birth of the nation of Israel, before the distinct race of the Jews were formed and even before the law, Abraham was justified because he simply believed by faith in God's promise. (Gal 3:6-9). According to verse 3, we are made righteous, not by anything we do, but to simply believe by faith like Abraham. It is not what we have done, but what Christ has done for us. This promise cannot be changed. It is everlasting. According to Gen 17:7 " I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come". This was God's contract with Abraham and each of us. God's word and promises cannot be amended. It cannot be vetoed upon by the congress. It is perfect from beginning to end.

Look at verse 17,18 " The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise". What Paul wanted to make clear is that: A law given 430 years later cannot change a covenant made by God and Abraham. When two parties (God and Abraham) conclude an agreement, a third party, (the law), cannot come along years later and change that agreement.  To add anything to it or take anything from it would be illegal.

Tragically, many Christians today are making changes to God's promise by their man-made laws. Some say simply believing in God's promise is not all. You need Jesus plus something else. Some have told me that I am not saved because I was not fully immersed during baptism or because I did not speak in tongues. But according to Paul, this is changing the contract. Our salvation depends on not what we do, but simply believing in Christ by faith like Abraham.

Second, the Law is not Greater than the Promise. (19-20)

So Paul ask in verse 19, "What is the purpose of the law?" Why did God add the law and thus caused more controversy? According to verse 19, the law was temporary, "It was added...until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come." God had a specific purpose for the law, but it was not meant to last forever.

What are some reasons why the law is not greater than the promise? The Law is inferior to the promise of God. Look at verse 20 " A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one." When God gave the law to Israel, He did it by means of angels and through the mediation of Moses. Israel received the law "through angels". (Acts 7:53) This means that the nation received the law third hand: from God to the angels and then to Moses and other teachers of the law. But when God made his covenant with Abraham he did it alone. A mediator stands between two parties and helps them to agree; but there was no need for a mediator in Abraham's case, since God was entering into a covenant with him, not Abraham with God. This idea is similar to buying a new car vs. used car. The promise is a new car off the production line. It is new and reliable. The law is like our old used Mazda MPV. It had many owners. It had dents and scratches. It worked, but it broke down often.  Once in the middle of a blizzard. The law was tainted with man's own idea. All religions are based on following certain rules and regulations.  But Christianity is different because, it teaches God coming to man to save it.  We are saved by believing in what Christ has done for us.

Another very important reason the law is not greater than the promise is: the law could not impart life. It doesn't plant the fruits of the spirit. Look at verse 21 " For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law." According to verse 19 the law was " added because of transgressions." The problem is not the law, it is with us! We are too sinful. Laws are used to restrain and control our evil behavior. The law of Moses regulated the lives of the Jewish people. God wanted his people to be holy, because he is holy. These days we have countless laws. We have traffic laws, national security laws, laws to protect children, women, workers, laws to protect dogs, cyber-laws,  etc. But the problem with laws is that it could not provide spiritual life to the people. When you get a traffic ticket because you broke they law, you don't say "Wow! I'm so happy!" The law can deter negative behavior, but it can't change the human heart. When I was a pre-teen I had a fascination with fire. Once, I carelessly set our garage on fire. My father grabbed me by the hand and threaten to cut of my hand with an axe if I played with matches again. His law deterred my desire to play with matches, but it did not stop me from experimenting with other sinful things. The law changed my behavior, but didn't change my heart for other sinful pleasures. If we live by the law, there are either two outcomes: Pride or despair. I know from experience the law does not give life. As a young Christian, I despised some of my peers for not reading their Bible, going out on campus or writing their testimonies. At the same time, I despaired, when the law condemned me for looking and thinking wicked and shameless thoughts.

Paul ask in verse 21, "Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!" Paul reveals his deep insight into the ways and purposes of God. He did not say that the law contradicts the promises, rather that it cooperates with the promise in fulfilling the purposes of God. Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Jesus said, he came to "fulfill the law" While law and grace seems to be contrary to each other, if you go deep enough, you will discover that they actually compliment each other! They are "Batman and Robin", "peanut butter and jelly", etc. So why was the law given?

Third, the Law leads us to Christ (22-29)

How does the law lead to Christ? Firstly, the law was given to help us realize we are sinners. Look at verse 22, " But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin". Then in verse 24 "...the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ". It is here that we see the way that law and grace cooperate in bringing the lost sinner to Jesus Christ. Law shows the sinner his guilt and grace shows him the forgiveness he can have in Christ. The law is likened to a dentist’s mirror, which the dentist sticks into a patient’s mouth.  With the mirror, he can detect cavities, gum disease and other problems.   But he doesn’t drill with the mirror, neither does he use it to pull teeth.  The mirror can show him the decayed area or other abnormality, but it can’t provide the solution. Martin Luther understood this truth of the law when he wrote, "the true function and chief and proper use of the Law is to reveal to man his sin, blindness, misery, wickedness, ignorance, hate and contempt of God, death, hell, judgment, and the well-deserved wrath of God." Sinners tendency is not to look at the law, but compare themselves to others. They say, "Sure, I'm a sinner, but I'm much better than that guy." Another person who is on the lower level of the food chain can't be your standard. However, the law reveals we are all sinners with no exception from the least to the greatest. Our sins are like the layers of an onion. We remove one layer of sin only to find another one. When I was a single guy, I knew I was a sinner. When I got married, I found sins I thought did not exist. As I grow as a Christian, I realize I need Jesus more and more.

The law clearly reveals we deserve God's wrath because we are sinners. Verse 10 says curse is everyone who does not obey the law.  We have violated the law. God is offended by our dirty sins. God has to do something because he is righteous and good. We can't do anything, but God does something. God sends his son to absorb the wrath of God we totally deserve. This is a sheer act of one-sided grace. This act of grace does not lead to despair and pride. It leads to humility and love for Jesus. I did nothing, Jesus did everything! The more we know we are sinners, they more we realize we need Jesus everyday, every hour and every second. The law is the on-ramp to the highway of grace. It is in grace that provides the cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7b).

Secondly, the law was given to prepare the way of Christ (23-26). Look at verse 24,25 "So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ  that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law."  ESV says "guardian of the law." Here Paul uses an illustration that was familiar to all his readers - the child guardian. In many Roman and Greek households, well-educated slaves took the children to and from school and watched over them during the day. Sometimes they would teach the children, sometimes they would protect and prohibit and sometimes they would discipline. This would be similar a tutor. In the movie, the "Blind Side" Miss Sue tutored Michael Oher until he was able to raise his GPA from 0.6 to 2.5 so he was qualified to attend school and play football. The work of the guardian was preparation for the child's maturity. There will be a point in a child's life that he or she will no longer need a guardian. So the law was a preparation for the nation of Israel until the coming of the promised seed, Jesus Christ. The law was preparing for the coming of Christ.

As we learn the law is a guardian or baby-sitter. But a child would rather be with his or her parent. My daughter Mary didn't like to going the baby-sitter. She made her sit and watch videos. Mary couldn't wait to come home with us. In the same way, a parent's relationship to the child is much better than a baby-sitter. As we grow in Christ, God becomes our father. It is not one of supervisor, but a loving father. Our father God loves, cares and protects us.  Look at verse 26, 27 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,  for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Verse 27, refers to a change of garments. The believer has laid aside the dirty garments of sin and by faith, received the robes of righteousness in Christ. Jesus enables them to live by God's holy laws.

What does this mean to us practically? As a child grows, he or she needs a guardian to teach them basic laws such as do not talk to strangers or don't play with matches. As we grow in Christ, the law can be used as our guardian. The law is good, the problem is with us. We are so sinful, so we need laws. The laws are not for our salvation, rather our guardian. The media bombards us with so much unwholesome images. It gets worse when spring and summer comes along. Whether you have been a Christian 1 or 20 years, the devil will try to attack you.  We need a guardians to protect us. Proverbs 4:23 teaches, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Some have accountability partner as guardians. I heard of one pastor, who travels a lot. One of his laws, he always bring either his wife or his assistant pastor with him. They act as his guardians. We need to set simple laws such as daily Bible reading and meditation, going to church, not as a way of salvation, rather to guard our hearts. Sometimes, it seems like a losing battle, but we must hold on to God's promise. We must receive the baptism of repentance every day. The more we cling on to Christ, he will clothe us with his righteousness.

Thirdly, we are one in Christ. Look at verse 28"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." "All one in Christ Jesus"-what a tremendous claim! The law created differences and distinctions. This is what happened in the Galatian Church. It was causing so much division. Paul taught Jesus Christ came not to divide, but to unite. This must have been glorious news for the Galatians Christians, for in their society slaves were considered property; women were kept confined and disrespected and Gentiles were constantly despised by the Jews. Yet all these distinctions are removed "in Christ." In Christ, we are all the same. We are all sinners in need of Christ cleansing blood. Finally, the law could never make us heirs of God. God made the promise to "Abraham's seed" and that seed is Christ. If we are "in Christ" by faith, then we are too are "Abraham's seed," spiritually speaking. This means we are heirs of the spiritual blessings God promised to Abraham.

In conclusion, we learn the law is not greater than the promise. We learn the law is good, but it can't give life. We learn the ultimate purpose of the law is to lead us to Christ. Would you rather hear "I love you", "I will be with you" , "I forgive you" or "obey me". May God help you to hold on to the promise of God in your daily life.