The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 8 May 2019 – Why Then The Law?
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TOPIC: Why Then The Law?
READ: Galatians 3: 15-27 New King James Version (NKJV)
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
THE MESSAGE:
The law tells men what sin is, it was added because of transgression. If there is no law, there can be no sin. The law shows us our helplessness.
The law was in effect until the birth of Jesus Christ. The law was our custodian until Christ came. The law was an essential tool on the way to the grace of God.
It was faith that saved Abraham, not deeds of the law. God gave the inheritance to Abraham by a promise. The law was certainly not against the promises of God.
Now faith had been revealed that we might be justified. We are no longer under the law but grace. Righteousness is by faith in Christ.
However, we must not break God’s laws because of grace. Christianity is not a religion of cheap grace. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid (Romans 6: 1-2).
The letters of the law kill, but the Spirit of grace gives life. Let us no longer be ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God through faith.
Let us submit to God’s righteousness by the grace of Christ, then we can keep the commandments and laws of God.
Prayer: Dear God, help us never to toy with the righteousness that comes by faith. Grant us more of Your grace to live above sin in Jesus Name.
