Galatians 3:23-29

Summary retelling of Galatians 3:23-29

Paul talks about the fact that before Christ came, everyone was under the watch of the Law and imprisoned there until the time of faith came.  The Law was our guardian until Christ came to Earth.  Now that the time of faith has come, we are no longer under the Law because through Christ we are made legitimate heirs of the promise.  Then Paul talks about the fact that those who are baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  Once in Christ, we understand that there is to be no distinction among believers.  If we are in Christ, then we are genuine heirs of God’s promise. 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul talks about the Law as a guardian.  This is a really neat analogy.  Think about what a guardian is.  A guardian is a person who is charged with supervising someone less mature or less experienced.  The guardian is charged with shaping our thoughts and actions while correcting us when we are wrong.  In short, the guardian prepares us for adulthood.  This is the purpose of the Law.  The Law prepares us for full spiritual maturity in Christ.

Does this analogy give you any appreciation for the Law?  Why?

Second Thought:

Paul talks about those who are baptized in Christ have put on Christ.  There are two baptisms in the New Testament: water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I believe that Paul is talking about the baptism of the Holy Spirit because Paul talks about genuinely putting on Christ.  This sounds like the reception of the Holy Spirit.  Thus, we would have an agreement with Ephesians 1:14.  The reception of the Holy Spirit is the guarantee that we are saved.

Have you received the Holy Spirit?  How do you know?

Third Thought:

Paul talks about how we as Christians see each other.  The fully mature Christian does not see genealogy or race (Jew/Gentile).  The fully mature Christian does not see social status (slave/free).  The fully mature Christian does not see gender (male/female).  The fully mature Christian sees Christ working through people and welcomes God’s work.  There is no need to set us criteria for who can do what in God’s kingdom.  It is best to let God decide who He chooses to equip.  {Now, it is okay to set up a process for recognizing who is equipped, but it is not ours to decide who can be equipped in the first place.}

Do you ever see people making these distinctions in the church?  When?  What is usually the effect of such distinctions?

Passage for Tomorrow: Galatians 4:1-6