Galatians 3:19-22

Summary retelling of Galatians 3:19-22

Paul asks the big question: Then what is the point of the Law?  The Law was given so that we might understand the nature of sin and be ready for Christ.  Even though Christ was coming, it was angels who brought the Law to human kind for our preparation for Jesus, who is one with God.  Paul then asks the second big question: Is the Law contrary to God’s promise of grace?  The answer is certainly not!  Paul’s point is not that the Law is bad, but that laws in general are not meant to bring life.  Laws are meant to correct bad behavior and discipline it.  Undeserved love through grace comes through Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I’ve had many people ask “what is the point of the Old Testament?”  I’m told it is boring.  I’m told that it is pointless because through Jesus we are forgiven of everything we do anyway.  But here’s Paul’s point.  If we never understand how sinful we are, can we ever understand how much we need Jesus and God’s grace through Him?  So yes, while we do not need the Law for salvation, we do need the law to appreciate salvation and respond to it.

Does Paul’s argument want to make you learn more about the people of the Old Testament?  Do you want to learn about your sinful nature? How might learning about your sinful nature be meaningful to you?

Second Thought:

Paul makes a point that God is one.  Jesus is God.  Even though Jesus was God-incarnate (God who became man), he was still God.  He was both fully human (capable of being tempted and full of human emotion) but also fully divine (righteous in every way, free from sin).

Why is it important to remember that Jesus was God while at the same time being fully human?  What does it mean to you that he was human?  What does it mean to you that he was divine?

Third Thought:

Paul also makes a really good point about the nature of the Law.  Laws aren’t meant to demonstrate grace.  Laws are meant to expose wrong.  To ask salvation to come through a tool that exposes wrong simply doesn’t make sense.  It’s like using a beam from a flashlight to try and move a piece of furniture.  You just can’t do it.  Like the Law, the purpose of the beam of light is to expose things.  Thus, for salvation we need something that makes atonement for our sinfulness, such as a sacrifice.  Thus, we have Jesus!

How does this part help you understand how to use the Law?  Is the Law a set of goals to which we should try to attain?

Passage for Tomorrow: Galatians 3:23-29