Free from the law

Photo credit: Trini Schultz

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith - just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” Gal 3:1-9

Abraham walked with God even before the Law of Moses existed. He believed in God and it was counted to him as righteousness as he walked by faith in a relationship with God. Only thereafter the Law of Moses was set in place for the Jewish people and in order to attain righteousness they needed to uphold the law and priests had to make sacrifices in order to atone for the sins of the people.

God’s intention was not just to save the Jewish people, but also the rest of the world (the gentiles). This could only be made possible by sending Jesus who would die for the sins of the entire world and be the perfect sacrifice. The world now does not have to attain righteousness by living according to the law, but can simply receive righteousness by putting their faith in Jesus and what He has done at the cross.

Even when the law existed God did not judge people by the law per se, but by their hearts. Take David for example, he committed murder and adultery which were both punishable by death according to the law, but the Bible describes him as a man after God’s own heart, because he loved God dearly.

In the scripture above, Paul writes to the Galatians reminding them that their walk with Jesus started by faith, when they believed in Him and not by works of the law. They started drifting and thought that they needed to uphold part of the law and traditions to please God. The Bible says: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Heb 11:6

Let us today not forget that God and God alone is the author and perfecter of our faith and that we do not need to uphold any law to perfect our faith, because we have been made perfect in Jesus. We do not have to work for our salvation (or righteousness) anymore, it is a free gift for all who believe in the name of Jesus. It is only through Him that we can get to the Father. So let’s not allow old traditions or cultures to taint our relationship with Jesus and put us in religious bondage. Let us rather walk in faith, tuning our ears to His voice.

“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall 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 hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:10-14

Brandon Heath - Give me your eyes