The Law and the Promise
Galatians 3:19-22 “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to Whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is One.
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” The law here is not the Ten Commandments, but rather the law given to Moses that directed the sacrifices, and the Israelites lives.
Let us consider the difference between the law and the promise.
The Law was given by “angels in the hand of a mediator”. Moses in turn gave the law to the children of Israel.
The Law was twice removed from God, for the people.
In the Promise….God stands alone and sovereign. For they come from God to the people…God is the One who gives them, both in Word and to us.
The Promise spoken of here is justification by faith. (Gal. 3:8, 10-11)
The Law was given because of transgressions, or sin. It was given to convict them of their sin, and to restrain them from sinning. (It would never stop their sinning, but it was to restrain it…showing them the right way to act)
The Law was to lead men to see their need of God….and to lead them to see that He was their only solution for their sins.
Was the Law against the promises of God?
No,…but was to show the way to it.
The Law is not the problem….for if there had been a law that could have given life, then righteousness could have been attained by the Law.
Notice what is lacking in the Law…is “Life”. Only true life through Christ leads to righteousness.
Moses gave the Law….and it was beautiful and perfect….but the people were not. They could not keep the Law, for they had no life of God in them. The only way they could have forgiveness, was through belief in God….or by faith in Him. (Hebrews 3:17-19)
It is the reason why, when the Law was given….then sacrifices were given next (Exodus 29:36-42), for the transgressions of the people.
And those sacrifices all pointed to Chirst’s complete sacrifice…the only sacrifice which could blot out our transgressions, once for all. (Hebrews 10:8-10)
And that is only entered into by faith.
Only the Promise of justification….whereby God puts His life, through Christ, in us….giving us the only Life that leads to all other promises. Only justification leads to the righteousness that God accepts….for we have Christ’s righteousness, and His acceptance with God, placed in us. The Law was designed to convince man of his need of a Savior….that they were in need of a “better righteousness” than the Law could produce. The Law showed them their “wounds”....for sin leaves a deep wound in our souls….but the Law gave no remedy for them. The great design of the Law was to persuade men to believe on God….and look to Him, in faith for their good….
……for there was no good in them. (Isaiah 64:6 “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;…”)
Galatians 3:22 “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”
That we might be persuaded to look for salvation in God….and believe.
Galatians 3:24-26 “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
In goodness, God gave the law to furnish them with helps. It directed their minds to HIs Holiness….and their duty to Him, and each other.
And it showed them their need of a permanent and personal Salvation….which only God would give. Therefore it directed their eyes and hearts to hope for the Messiah, or Christ to save them.
The mistake was that they believed that they could get justification through the keeping of the Law….whereas it was merely there to bring them to Christ, by faith, Who is Salvation.
“We are no longer under a schoolmaster.” A schoolmaster was simply there for the young children to teach the lesson.
Once the lesson is learned, the schoolmaster is no longer needed. Paul is saying that those who have seen their sin, and the need of salvation….
….and come to Christ Jesus in faith, do not need to try and keep the law for justification.
No, they are justified in Christ.
They are made children of God…..Who has given us all the Promises in Christ!
Galatians 3:27 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Colossians 2:9-10 “For in Him (Christ Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
Justification means they are given Christ’s Life….and righteousness.
In this, it must be seen, that all who sincerely believe in and on Him are accepted in the Beloved, and become His children. This is through real and true faith in HIm.
This is the same for all who come to Christ, regardless of what nation they come from or what walk of life they come from….
…if they by faith come and believe on Christ as Lord and Savior….they are justified. They have Christ’s Life….and peace with God (Romans 5:1).
Do you see your sin? Do you want to be saved from them? Do you have this faith, which looks away from self to God?
If not, come to Christ Jesus the Lord….and receive Him, by faith. And have the Promise of justification…peace with God.
John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name:”
Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.”
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 