March 17, 2023
Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
Thought:
The law cannot do what the promise can do! The law could never justify the guilty sinner; it could only reveal sin. The law could never give a person oneness with God; it separated people from God. The law could never make people heirs of God; it could only “control behavior” to a certain extent but never enough for righteousness.
But the promise - justification (declared righteous) through faith in Christ - does so much more.
Faith in Jesus baptizes us “into Christ” (3:27). This baptism of the Spirit identifies us with Christ, and water baptism is an outward picture of this inner work of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 10:44-48).
Faith in Jesus makes us “all one in Christ Jesus” (3:28). The law created differences and distinctions not only between individuals and nations but also between various kinds of foods and animals. Jesus Christ came not to divide, but to unite.
Faith in Jesus makes us “heirs of God” (3:29). What a privilege! We are the children of God. No longer slaves, but sons. No longer kept at a distance under restraints, but allowed nearer and freer access to the Father.
Application:
1. The beauty of the gospel shines when people of all races and generations and backgrounds live together in unity before Christ. How is God asking you to live this out as his child?
2. Behavior that pleases God flows from a heart redeemed by him.
How did Galatians 3 help you better understand this statement? Ask the Spirit to continue working heart change in you.