Welcome to Youngsville Free Methodist Church

Paul continues to explain to the church what he sees as their biggest shortcoming.   It’s easy to understand…but then again, it’s hard.   Good grief!

At first it seems so simple.   We are saved by faith, not by following the law (the 10 commandments, and the first 5 books of the Bible).   Since Christ died for us, we no longer need to follow the Law.  That seems right until someone says “does that mean I can now violate the law?”    Well,  no.    The part of the law that Paul is referring to is the law that promises forgiveness of sins for obedience and adherence.   “sacrifice a certain animal if you commit this type of sin”. 

And you aren’t violating it even today if you don’t offer the animal…because Jesus completed the requirement.  That is to say that the animal was a necessary until God surrendered himself.  Now the animal isn’t good enough, and isn’t required anyway.   To suggest that we need “Jesus and…..” is to misunderstand what He did for us.    

His death took away all further need for sacrifice.   That part of the law is complete, and you can’t “violate’ it.   The remainder of the law is still okay, even though it cannot produce salvation.    If we choose to follow it, we do so out of love for Christ.

Okay, really…it’s simple.   But when Paul begins explaining it while using Abraham as an example I tend to get lost.

That’s probably because Paul is speaking to an audience that understands and appreciates Abraham’s contribution.  They have heard about it every day for years.   It might be like speaking of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln to us.

I love the illustration that the NLT (New Living Translation) gives beginning in verse 24.  It says that the law was our
“guardian” until we came of age, and could decide what to do for ourselves.   Once of age (when Christ came) we could no longer fall back on our “guardian” to make decisions.  That time has passed, and a new reality is upon us.

 

Thankful for the grace and provision of Jesus,

 

PR