Why the Law?

Introduction

We have been talking a lot about the Law lately. It’s a central theme in the book of Galatians. It’s a central theme because just like us we like to feel like we have some part in our salvation. We want to earn it. We want to feel like we can do it alone. But we can’t.

We need God and we need his Grace.

Today’s passage ask a very important question however “Why the law?”

Why is there a law, when it is Grace that saves?

Why are there 613 laws in the old testament?

The Law does not save. If I have nothing to do with my salvation. If it’s not about what I do but who I am.

Look at the first part of today’s section in Galatians 3

Galatians 3:16-18

Galatians 3:16–18 NIV

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.

God made a promise that Abrahams seed would be blessed, Genesis 12:1-3 and 15:18-21.

This covenant requires nothing from Abraham. Its unconditional. Abraham doesn’t have to lift a finger. It can’t be broken, And it is everlasting.

Promises

Land

Descendants

Blessing and Redemption

And the Law came after, Came later. After the exodus from Egypt. Abraham was promised before he even went to Egypt the first time. So the Promise can’t be based on the Law.

Why the Law then – Galatians 3:19-29

Galatians 3:19-29

Galatians 3:19–29 NIV

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. 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. 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Notice and stop at v24

Galatians 3:24 NIV

24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.

The Law Teaches us about Christ.

That is the purpose of the Law. To point us To Christ.

It was a bridge to teach about Christ before there was faith. They didn’t have a lot of faith in the old Testament. Because there was no faith. Because there was no Jesus.

The Law is our Guardian Until Christ

Now that Jesus has come as the Messiah. Has come lived the perfect life, reviled God, died and was resurrected. To fulfill the Law. Not to take it away, But to fulfill it, Or to complete it.

So now we are all children of God if we have accepted his forgiveness and God as our Savior. We don’t need the Law. That no one could follow anyways. Even in the Old Testament, they were reliant of God’s mercy. Now we have the blood of Jesus

So when we talk about changing our lifestyles.

So that God is in us

So that we are a person of Christ

So that Christ isn’t something that we do it’s something that we are

There has to be an element in which we talk about right behavior and practices for a Christian. Not talking about non Christians. Just for Christians, Part of the family.

But as we do that we have to ask the question.

Does this action and the way I present it reflect Christ?

We are stating some kind of Law. Even when we state the ones that Jesus stated.

The two greatest commandments

Deuteronomy 6:4–5 CSB

4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Leviticus 19:18 CSB

18 Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.

Not necessary for salvation but important in becoming Christ like, But if we are not being Christ like in our rules. Meaning if the rules are more important than the people or the rules trump salvation. Or if we are not presenting the law in a Christ like manor. With peace and love.

Peace that knocked over tables but still peace.

Peace does not mean no confrontation it means no hatred in your heart. And only holy anger. Holy anger is different from just anger because anger spurns from selfish desires as holy anger spurns from God and his Justice.

What Laws do I need to follow?

All the laws and non of the laws are relevant to today. These Laws were given to a tribal nation, establishing itself under YHWH 3000+ years ago. So in part non of it applies to us. We don’t get to say I will follow these laws just as they are.

We instead get the challenge of saying why were these laws a thing. What is the wisdom behind these laws. And how do I apply that wisdom to the life I am living today. and in that regard all of them are relevant to you and you need to follow all of them.

Christ saves us. But in the law there is wisdom that Christ came not to overturn or abolish but to fulfill.

An how you apply the wisdom of those laws is a life long journey as you learn more about the Bible, the culture it was written in, and what it means to follow after Jesus.

Next Steps

As we strive to be we must reflect Christ in the laws we follow

Do you?

pray