Are you free?
“Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed”. Are you free, or are you enslaved to sin? The Christian faith is not one of accomplishments nor self-righteousness. The person who has been forgiven and made right with God does not think of themselves as better than anyone else, and certainly not as perfect. The child of God know that they are not perfect, and that they constantly need God’s grace and mercy. This doesn’t mean that we don’t need God’s law or to obey it, it means we’ve learned how to use the law, and how it guides us to the freedom found only in Jesus.
Scripture
Galatians 3:21-26 ESV Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Bible Study Questions
Has God contradicted Himself?
The argument that the law doesn’t save us, but faith alone in Christ alone continues. Paul’s already argued that the law cannot change the promise and that the law is not greater than the promise. The next objection may well have been, “well fine, but then why would God make the promise and then contradict that promise with the law?’
Galatians 3:21-26 ESV Is the law then contrary to the promises of God?
Numbers 23:19 ESV God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
The law of God is perfect, but doesn’t save
If God had given a law that could save us, and give us eternal life, then it would be true to say that the promise contradicts the law. But the law and the promise are two different parts of God’s perfect plan.
Galatians 3:21-26 ESV Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.
Galatians 2:21 ESV I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
The law convicts us and guides us to Jesus
The first function of the law, since it cannot save, is to convict us of sin. Nobody has ever been able to perfectly obey the law, one reason that God has given the law to prove that to us. It shows us that God is Holy and perfect and that we are not. We need God’s mercy, we cannot earn His approval. This knowledge guides us to seek Jesus and His redeeming love and mercy.
Galatians 3:22 ESV But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
Romans 11:32-33 ESV For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
The law restrains and protects us on our way to Jesus
Another function of the law is to restrain us from destroying others and ourselves. It serves as a temporary guardian, restraining and disciplining our behaviour.
Galatians 3:24 ESV So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
1 Timothy 1:8-9 ESV Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,
Eternal life is knowing God
The law may reveal aspects of God’s character, and it is necessary for us to learn this about Him, but it cannot reconcile us to God nor heal our broken relationship with Him. A guardian stands between God and His children. When the guardian’s job is done they step aside and deliver the child to their father.
Galatians 3:25 ESV But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
John 1:12 ESV But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
John 17:3 ESV And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
No law was given that could give life
We can see the principle of the law drawing us to Jesus, but in itself not being able to save us and restore our relationship with God in the interaction that Jesus had with a rich and influential young man. Notice that the young man thought he had kept all the law but had no assurance that he had eternal life. Not only did he lack the assurance, but he lacked obedience to all the law. He had not been able perfectly love his neighbour as himself, and had also not been able to love God with all his heart, soul mind and strength.
Matthew 19:16-21 ESV And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Matthew 19:25-26 ESV When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
What is impossible for man, is possible for God
A short while after stunning His disciples with the revelation that not attempt at obedience to the law could save anyone, not even those who seem most blessed by God, Jesus shows what God’s mercy and grace can do. A rich tax collector was forgiven and found the love and peace that the young man had pursued through his own efforts. The young man thought he was good, the tax collector knew that he wasn’t - this is the law and the promise working together. Where are we, who are we like, the young man or the tax collector?
Luke 19:1-10 ESV He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”