Still Under The Law?

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians said, “But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore, the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” (Gal. 3:23-24, Nasb 2000). Here is good defense in support of the role of the law in the life of the Christian. Parts of it still works. Surely not the ceremonial and some of the civil pieces (for these would be unreasonable to uphold), but they played the crucial role as that of a school master/principal – keeping you in line till graduation. My tutor gives me guidance and insights; keeps me focused when I wish to game away the evening; keeps me in check and sometimes chastises me (in the old days, give me a whipping). But all for a good purpose.

Paul was accused of cozying up with the Gentiles and watering down the need for upholding the Law. He responded essentially that “the law teaches us the need for salvation. It has its place. The law is not what gives salvation, only God. The Old Testament reveals God’s nature, his will, his moral laws and gives guidelines for living. But what the law does is show people where they have sinned (tutor) and points them to Christ.”[1] The law was truly an integral part of their identity. But now, the identity of the Christian is not to be found in a set of laws as the Israelites had, rather faith in Christ. Why put your confidence in a system that was “restated, modified, intensified, changed and repealed?”[2] Makes no sense when we can have direct access to the law maker himself. Christians are now governed by the Holy Spirit and the law provides both moral and ethical guidelines for living today.

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[1]. Life Application Study Notes, (La Habra, CA: Zondervan, 2000), 2061.  

[2]. J. Daniel Hays, Applying The Old Testament Law Today, Bibliotheca Sacra, Iss. 158 no 629 (2001):29, accessed July 19, 2018.

Written by Kevin A. Hall