It Has Always Been Faith
I love what Paul is doing in Galatians 3. Pastorally taking his flock through the scriptures and the realities they point toward in Christ.
He begins with Abraham... the covenant of faith.
Then he gets to the law. And here's where things need to be cleared up in the church - EVEN TODAY.
For the law is a source of devastation or pride.
I am proud when I keep it and devastated when I break it. There is no middle ground.
Churches have split because of the law. For one person feels inevitably that their good behavior makes for a better Christian and they should tell others what to do. And then the truth comes out and we find their secrets were worse than everyone else's.
But there is another thing the law does. The law presents a standard. A standard for us to reach for and inevitably miss. Isaiah Thomas said, "Everybody wants to be perfect." And Jesus came and said, "Be perfect." Why? Because our inner desire to achieve will lead us to see (hopefully) that only Christ is the answer. As Timothy Keller says, "we have all sorts of strategies to make ourselves feel like successes. In the gospel, you come back to grips with the fact you’re a failure."
From the beginning Paul makes clear God's promise to Abraham was based on faith, not law. Abraham believed God and it was credited as righteousness. But 430 years later, the law comes about. Why? Paul is going to explain:
Galatians 3:19 (ESV) 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.
He begins with Abraham... the covenant of faith.
Then he gets to the law. And here's where things need to be cleared up in the church - EVEN TODAY.
For the law is a source of devastation or pride.
I am proud when I keep it and devastated when I break it. There is no middle ground.
Churches have split because of the law. For one person feels inevitably that their good behavior makes for a better Christian and they should tell others what to do. And then the truth comes out and we find their secrets were worse than everyone else's.
But there is another thing the law does. The law presents a standard. A standard for us to reach for and inevitably miss. Isaiah Thomas said, "Everybody wants to be perfect." And Jesus came and said, "Be perfect." Why? Because our inner desire to achieve will lead us to see (hopefully) that only Christ is the answer. As Timothy Keller says, "we have all sorts of strategies to make ourselves feel like successes. In the gospel, you come back to grips with the fact you’re a failure."
From the beginning Paul makes clear God's promise to Abraham was based on faith, not law. Abraham believed God and it was credited as righteousness. But 430 years later, the law comes about. Why? Paul is going to explain:
Galatians 3:19 (ESV) 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.
The Law was a tutor for the children of Abraham. For what? To teach them to trust God. And what they failed to do in the wilderness, Christ did in the wilderness 40 days and 40 nights.
Christ did what we could not do. And because of Christ, the law teaches us differently. The law teaches us that trusting God for transformation through Christ is the plan and purpose from the beginning. The law points out what needs to change. Christ is the hope of change.
Plain and simple.
Trust Him. Give up trying to do it on your own. And let Christ come and save you again and again.
PRAYER
Father, I trust you. I give my life to you anew. Help me to come closer to Jesus and trust you with my life. The righteous shall live by faith. And that's what I desire to be. Amen.
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