June 19, 2016

“Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:23-29

Comments from Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.

“When the law was given to the people of Israel, its prime function was to evoke the curse and so condemn them. Like a strict governess the law exposed the failings of God’s historic people, held the people to their sin, and in so doing forced them to rely on God’s mercy as they awaited the coming day when God’s messiah would set all things right. In the coming of Christ, this temporary role for the law has ceased. The problem we now face as believers, is how we are to handle the law in our day-to-day living for Christ. The Christian church has always oscillated between two extremes – no law and all law.

Marcian, an early Christian heretic, taught that Christ was the end of the law and that therefore, the law was no longer applicable in the Christian life. This view is held by many today. For example Harvey, a prominent theologian, states “by Christ the law was discredited”. This antinomianism promotes the idea that the law has no place in the Christian life. The other extreme centers on another early Christian heretic, Pelagius. Pelagianism promotes the idea that righteousness can be obtained by meritorious works. Although most believers affirm that eternal life comes only through the merit of Christ, there is always the tendency to see good works as deserving of merit, of keeping us in with God so that we can access the fullness of his blessings. Setting aside the extremes of Marcian and Pelagius, we need to recognize that the law still has a place in the Christian life. First, like an old memory, it serves to remind us of what we once were, bound under sin, but now set free by God’s grace in Christ. Second, the law also serves as a guide to the Christian life, it points the way to Christ-likeness, which likeness we begin to realize through the indwelling power of the Spirit of Christ.

Martin Luther taught that there are three uses of the law. The first is as a “hammer” – the divine judge announces what is necessary to live in relationship with G-d and each other. The second is as a “mirror” – we see ourselves for who we really are: sinful, selfish, hurtful, and of the most needful of Grace. Finally the law serves as a “sure guide” – Here is the opening lines to The Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord, on The Third Use of the Law: “Since the Law of God is useful, 1. not only to the end that external discipline and decency are maintained by it against wild, disobedient men; 2. likewise, that through it men are brought to a knowledge of their sins; 3. but also that, when they have been born anew by the Spirit of God, converted to the Lord, and thus the veil of Moses has been lifted from them, they live and walk in the law…”

Paul did not advocate the abolishment of the law, but lifted up the purpose of Grace. In Paul’s view, his message is that through Jesus Christ, the gentiles receive righteousness apart from law. Because G-d made a covenant with Abraham before the existence of the law, the need for the law (for salvific purposes) is put aside simply because the promise made to Abraham’s seed (made before the law) comes through Christ.

Non-believers today say the bible was written so long ago, it has no relevance for our lives today. We believers know different. And as for the law, it still gives us a sure guide for how we should treat one another, and how we should worship G-d.

Pastor Dave