Why Then the Law? (Gal. 3:15-22)

I am not a Jew; I was born a Gentile. I did not become a Jew when I was saved; I became a Christian. The Bible divides the world of mankind into three categories: Jews, Gentiles and Christians. "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (1 Cor. 10:32). We must remember these distincions when we discuss the matter of the Mosaic Law. Being a Gentile, I have never been obligated to the Law of Moses. However, that does not mean I am lawless and have no obligation to God. Now that I am a Christian, I am under a new law, the laws of Jesus Christ. My rationale for this is that I am now identified with the with Jesus who is called "thy seed" (Gal. 3:16) and to whom the Abrahamic promise was given. But many people still claim that the Mosaic Law is important and must be followed. God's Word states that "as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse" (Gal. 3:10) but "Christ [by his work on the cross] hath redeemed us from the curse of law" (3:13).

Why then the Law? (3:19). God gave it to heighten our understanding of His standard and the seriousness of transgressing that standard (Rom. 4:15). So, when God said, "Thou shalt not bear false witness" (Exo. 20:16), a lie was seen to be what it is: an overstepping or transgression of the law of God. A Gentile does not have the Law but he sometimes instinctively does the things that are in the law (Rom. 2:14-15). The reason for this seems to be that he is made in the image of God (James 3:9). Certain moral duties, imparted by that divine image are written in his heart and are manifest in his moral decisions and judgments. Having a conscience, he is obliged to respond favorably to God's self-revelation in nature and to fulfill certain basic duties that personal creatures owe the Creator, i.e. worship, gratitude, and service. When Paul preached to pagans, he did not use the Mosaic Law to bring them under the conviction of sin (Acts 14:6-18; 17:15-34; 24:25). Rather, he reminded them of their creaturehood (Acts 17:24-26) and their guilt of dishonoring God by neglecting to seek after Him (17:27) and by regarding Him to be less than what He is (17:24-25, 29). He also declared their duty to seek the Lord (17:27), repent and prepare for coming judgment (17:31).

Under New Management (Gal. 3:15-22)

When I was saved on January 4, 1953 several things happened to me that I later discovered as I grew in grace. For example, I learned that salvation was never granted on the basis of Law. I learned also that I had been justified before God on that day and thus any relationship to old Adam and to the law ceased; I was adopted into the Lord’s family; I was enrolled under a new rule, i.e. a new covenant. It became my first duty to obey my heavenly Father, not as a slave but as a child. In fact, I was to obey as a beloved child. It would now be an offense to Him if I intimidated His will in any way. Did He call me to seek fellowship with other Christians? Then it is at my peril if I neglected it, for I would be disobeying my Father. I was to do it, not because the law says, “Love thy neighbor,” but because Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” and this is the commandment that He has given to me, “that ye love one another.” Did He command me to seek to become like Jesus? What a joy it became to do so as I studied His Word and spent time with Him in prayer. Was I told to distribute to the poor? Then I was to do it, not because love is a burden which I dared not shirk, but because Jesus taught, “Give to him that asketh of thee.” Did the Law say, “Love God with all your heart”? Then I could look into the very eyes of that demand and reply, “O commandment, Christ has fulfilled you already. I have no need, therefore, to fulfill you for my salvation.” But I did, and ever since have rejoiced to yield obedience to Him because God is my Father now and He has a claim upon me.