Every State has outdated, absurd laws that are still 'on the books' that have not been repealed. For example, in New Jersey, one could be arrested for slurping their soup in public.At the time they were written, they made great sense. But as times changed, they are no longer relevant. But what about the law that God gave to Moses at Sinai? Paul, in Galatians 3:19-25 asks two questions: First, what purpose does the law serve? His answer is that the law was added because of transgressions. The Law defines sin, provides a way of dealing with sin, and provokes us to sin. But it also transforms sin into a transgression, that is, a punishable offense so that we are all guilty before God. The second question is then: Is the law against the promises of God? Since the basis of the law is works and the basis of the promises is faith, is the law somehow opposed to faith? Paul's answer is absolutely not. While keeping the law does not justify or save, it does prepare the way for the gospel and for faith. Like a warden, the law confines all of us under sin. Like a tutor, the law not only points out our need for Christ, but it shows us our helplessness and hopeless apart from Christ! It brings us to Christ. But is the Law permanent and thus for today, or was it temporary? Historically, how has the church viewed the relationship of law to us today? Paul reveals that the law was a mediated, bilateral, conditional agreement between God and Israel. It was enforce until 'the Seed should come to whom the promise was made.' Jesus Christ fulfills the Law. Thus today, we are not under the law, but under grace. |
