Now That Faith Has Come

FAITH IN ACTION:
LIVING AS FAITHFUL PEOPLE
God's Redemption
Heirs to the Promise

Galatians 3:19-29

The Message

 ^18-20What is the point, then, of the law, the attached addendum? It was a thoughtful addition to the original covenant promises made to Abraham. The purpose of the law was to keep a sinful people in the way of salvation until Christ (the descendant) came, inheriting the promises and distributing them to us. Obviously this law was not a firsthand encounter with God. It was arranged by angelic messengers through a middleman, Moses. But if there is a middleman as there was at Sinai, then the people are not dealing directly with God, are they? But the original promise is the direct blessing of God, received by faith.
 ^21-22If such is the case, is the law, then, an anti-promise, a negation of God's will for us? Not at all. Its purpose was to make obvious to everyone that we are, in ourselves, out of right relationship with God, and therefore to show us the futility of devising some religious system for getting by our own efforts what we can only get by waiting in faith for God to complete his promise. For if any kind of rule-keeping had power to create life in us, we would certainly have gotten it by this time.
 ^23-24Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for.
 ^25-27But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise.

In Christ's Family

 ^28-29In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous "descendant," heirs according to the covenant promises.

For Reflection
We are saved from the tyranny of the law.  We are free to let our faith guide our obedience to God.  The more mature we become as we grow in our faith, the more important the personal relationship we enjoy with God. We adhere to the law of Moses because we have faith in God.  We are free to act in the grace of God when following the letter of the law is difficult.  We temper the law with faith and give judgment over to God. Now that faith has come, belonging to God is like belonging to a loving, forgiving family.  All of us prodigals can return and continue living righteous lives in the hollow of God's hand.

Pray
That you embrace the equality of all in the eyes of God.  Pray that you will lead a righteous life free from the need to feel unique in your faith.  Pray that you see all people as children of God.  Pray for the humility that marks you as a follower of Christ.