Galatians 18-Day Reading PlanSýnishorn

The Apostle Paul has taken most of chapter three to explain to the Galatians, and us, that the promise Abraham received we too inherit through our faith in Jesus. God gave this promise to Abraham before the Law, a promise that could not be broken. Maybe you find yourself asking the question Paul addresses in these verses, “Why, then, was the law given?” (v.19). There are two reasons that Paul tells us the Law was given: To show people their sins (v.19) and The Law was our guardian (v.24). What does that mean?

1. Revelation 

The purpose of the Law was to reveal to the Israelites their sins, and it does the same for you and me. The Law shows us how much we need a savior. Until we look deep within and realize that we are sinful, rebellious and need a savior, we will never truly appreciate the gospel.

Jeremiah 17:9 

 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

We have to recognize how genuinely deceitful we are. It is like revealing the beauty of the bright stars against a midnight sky. Only the darkness of our sin can show the beauty of the gospel. It is not God’s plan for us to skip past the Law and come straight to the promise because then we never understand the gravity of what Christ did for us. The Law reveals to us the need for Jesus. 

2. Preparation 

The promise of Jesus precedes the Law, but God sent the Law through Moses to guide and protect the people. Think of it as a guardian or supervisor. For Christians, does that mean that we do not need the Law because we have Jesus? As Paul would say: Absolutely Not! (v. 21). The Law is like rules in your home for your children. They are there to guide, protect and prepare them until they are mature enough to make their own decisions. Does your child then grow old and no longer follow the values you have placed on them? No. Instead, the values are deeply rooted in them and they no longer act out of obedience. Paul says that we no longer view the Law as a way for salvation, but it does prepare us for obedience.  We no longer obey the Law out of fear because our salvation is through Jesus. When you understand the gospel, then your heart is filled with gratitude. You desire to be like Jesus, which comes through obedience.  

The Law reveals to us that we need a savior, but it also provides us with protection and guidance. And we have now arrived at our destination; Faith in Christ fulfills the law by placing it in our hearts, so that we obey out of love and gratitude for what Jesus did for us.  

Question

How does knowing that God’s Law was intended to show us we CAN’T measure up, change how you view following religious rules?