In our Galatians Bible study this week, Paul spoke of something that I have not often pointed out. His message near the end of Galatians 3, is one that helps up to make a separation between grace and the law. He said,
“Just as no one can add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promise (of salvation through a Messiah) was spoken to Abraham “and to his seed” …who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later does not set aside the covenant previous established by God and thus do away with the promise.”
Paul makes it clear that the promise of God’s grace for salvation came first. The covenant of the law came later…much later. The law was given to the nation of Israel (and to the whole world) 430 years later. That’s 14 generations!
The Galatians heard the message of God’s grace for salvation during his first missionary journey. They came together as a church of believers and remained so after Paul moved on to preach his message to the rest of the Gentile world. Behind him, Jews came into this young church declaring that Paul was wrong. Grace alone is not enough for salvation! You must also keep the law and certain Jewish customs to be saved!
Throughout Paul’s epistles, he clarifies the true purpose of the law (to reveal sin to mankind). It was never intended to save us, no can it do so. As it is written, “Therefore, no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law. Rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” -Rom 3:20. And, “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse! (because we cannot possibly keep it). -Gal 3:10. With many other examples and exhortations he addresses this issue throughout his 13 books.
But sometimes a simple technicality proves stronger and more convincing than all the other arguments you can make. The “technicality” Paul points out in Galatians 3:15-18 is simply this: If the law was part of God’s plan of salvation, He would have given it at the same time he made the promise of salvation to Abraham. But He did not. He gave the law 430 years later for a whole different reason to a whole different group of people—the Jews.
During Bible study I asked the question: Was Abraham a Jew? What is your answer? The correct answer is “No!” The first Jew was his grandson Jacob—two generations later.
If all this seems trivial, I can assure you it is not. “The righteous will live by faith!” -Habakkuk 2:4. You were not saved by the law and you cannot live your life under the law (rules and obligations for being right with God). Your salvation, your righteousness, and your life all come through faith in Jesus Christ. To believe in the law for salvation and living is to deny the need for the cross of Jesus Christ. It is to deny faith itself. This is why Paul was so distraught about the young Galatian church.
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