Choir Loft
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"What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator... Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." Galatians 3:24-25
When attempting to ascertain the meaning of a verse or group of verses it is essential that we examine the context of the whole - the big picture as it were.
Who is "us" in Galatians 3:24-25?
St Paul is the author of the book of Galatians. His epistle was written to a newly established group of believers in the Roman province of Galatia in Southern Anatolia. The primary issue addressed by Paul's letter was the controversy of the application of Mosaic Law to new gentile believers, specifically the act of circumcision.
a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God. - Romans 2:29
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul utilizes comparative and repetitive methods to teach a single point - the method of justification before God as prescribed by the Law.
Paul's purpose is to show how [Mosaic Law] and [faith through grace] work together unto salvation. In Galatians, Paul writes in the same poetic-prose form as that which may be seen in the Old Covenant (Law Prophets & Writings). Since Paul was a Jewish scholar, he continued to use the methodology of Jewish scholars and scripture to teach new believers in Christ. If something works, use it.
In the third chapter we see three divisions of the text which serve to illustrate Paul's main argument three different ways.
1. The first section verses 1-14 is a comparison of [faith vs. works].
2. In the second method, verses 15-22, Paul repeats his attempt to teach the same idea by approaching the subject from the point of view of [Law vs. Promise].
3. Verses 23-29 are the final method which reiterate Paul's assertion a third way, by [reviewing Jewish history vs. Gentile conversion].
Again, Paul's method is to teach a spiritual principle by demonstrating opposites.
Bear in mind the Law is NOT abolished. Neither does the Law oppose God's promise of salvation by faith through grace (vs. 21). The Law, as a form of righteousness, was temporary (vs. 23 &24) until Christ came to fulfill the requirement of the Law.
What was the form of righteousness required by the Law that only Christ could fulfill?
Both gentile and Jew are now justified through Jesus' fulfillment of the Law and not our own works of the Law. Jesus fulfilled the Law. We can not. Thus the Law still stands. Those that do not obey the Law, fulfilled as it is in Christ Jesus, will die according to the requirements of the Law. The Law still stands.
Stated another way, because Jesus provided the ultimate and permanent sacrifice for sin we (Jew & gentile) are now justified IN HIM. Jews are no longer justified, even temporarily, by any act of Law. Jews as well as gentiles are justified by substitution in Christ's death - justified by faith according to the Law.
What then is the purpose of the Law today? It is the same as it was when given. It convicts of sin. It points us to a need for justification in Christ. It shows how Jesus fulfilled the demands of the Law in its requirement of a death as payment for sin. Being justified and forgiven we (Jew & Gentile) are now sanctified by obedience to the Law so as to live justly before God.
- The Law points to the need for salvation - by conviction.
- The Law demands a penalty be paid for sin.
- Jesus pays the penalty for sin according to the Law, thus FULFILLING the Law.
- Those who abide BY THE LAWful provision for salvation and who accept Christ are thus justified by that same Law.
- Those who are justified by the Law are then enabled by the Holy Spirit to live by the Law and are thus sanctified unto God according to the Law.
For all those Jews who thought being Jewish was sufficient to be justified before God, St. Paul says that justification is and always has been by faith. Paul cites Abraham's faith as an example.(vs 29) Being a Jew and an observer of the Law will not save.
For all those gentiles who think joining a church and participating in its programs is sufficient to be justified before God, St. Paul says the same thing. It's a work of the flesh and has no currency in the Bank of Heaven. Church membership does not save. Calling upon the name of God and performing work in His name is not sufficient to save. (Matthew 7:23)
Only faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ upon the cross will save. Outward religious acts are bogus. They always have been and always will be.
In summation, St. Paul's epistle points to the spiritual principle of substitution in that Christ died upon the cross for us. Those who are justified by Christ's fulfillment of the Law are called to sanctification according to the Law. We are saved for good works of the Law not by them.
Hope this helps.
that's me, hollering from the choir loft...
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