As Paul the apostle is
taking his readers of the book of Galatians step by step toward the
importance of both the law and promise of God, he has clearly shown
the value of both. The promise of God is by faith, and the knowledge
of sin is by the law. Paul continues his words and thoughts in
chapter three and verse twenty-two where he wrote:
But the scripture has
concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ
might be given to them that believe.
Paul
wondered rhetorically in our last verse whether the law was against
the promises of God. He concluded that the law rather worked with
promise of God, and in this verse he tells us why, “But the
scripture has concluded all under sin,”. When the law of God
came, people could know they were sinners. The law was the standard
of God by which to live. It is perfect, holy and true, however, it
didn't take long after the law was given to show that man could not
keep the law. In fact, even as Moses was bringing the two tablets
upon which the ten commandments were written down from the mountain
the first time, the Bible tells us the people were violating the law.
In Exodus chapter thirty-two and verse one we read:
And when the people saw
that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered
themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods,
which shall go before us; for [as for] this Moses, the man that
brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what is become
of him.
The
scriptures show us that everyone in under sin. There are none exempt,
and the only one who kept the law of God perfectly was Jesus which
leads to the next part of this verse.
Paul
continued, “that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ
might be given to them that believe.” Now
the promise comes into play. Now the promise of grace by faith of
Jesus Christ is necessary. Without the promise, we could not be
saved. Jesus kept the law, abode in the law, lived perfectly by the
law, and though He was innocent, He took our place of death as a
result of the law. Hereafter for those who believe in Jesus'
substitutionary work there is the promise of salvation by grace, “For
by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it
is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
The
law showed us our sinfulness, and the promise of God is that when we
recognize it, and believe in Jesus' sacrifice for it, we receive his
abundant grace. Oh the wonders of God! Oh the marvelous plan He has
for us! Oh the promise of salvation and grace that awaits all who
will simply believe! May the Lord Jesus be praised for His marvelous
plan for both His promise and His law!
Next time we will
look at our state before faith came, so read ahead, and let us join
together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it
locally
at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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