Understanding the Law

Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. – Galatians 3:11-14

There are three things we must understand about the law when it comes to our walk with Christ.

First, the law is a barrier, not a bridge to God. The law separates you from God because it causes you to focus more on your works than on your faith. We were given the law not so we can see how good we are, but how sinful we are. The law tells us what a godly life looks like and then shows us how ungodly we are because we don’t keep it. We can’t get to God through the law because the law doesn’t draw you closer to God; it drives you further from Him when you are not able to keep it.

Second, the law is a reference for, not a rival with Jesus. While the law reminds us of our shortcomings and our inability to meet God’s standard, it also refers us to the One who died for our shortcomings and met the standard for us, and that is Jesus. The only remedy for our faults, our failures, our foul ups, our mistakes, and our mess ups is redemption, not religion, not rules, not regulations, not restrictions, not righteousness, but redemption. The only way to find redemption is through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Finally, the law is an advocate for, not an addition to faith. We must realize that God only accepts us one way. It has nothing to do with our performance, our position, or our popularity. It’s not a matter of what we do for Him. It is a matter of simply accepting by faith what He has done for us. The law always pointed to grace, not goodness. It always pointed to faith, not fulfillment. Because of that truth, you only have two choices to make when it comes to having a relationship with God: your goodness or God’s grace; your religion or His redemption. Once you make these choices, lay down the law, and lose your religion, you will find everything you need at the cross of Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, thank for Paul’s explanation of the law and the great reminders in today’s text. Help me to understand the law the way you intended for it to be understood. Amen.