Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
Galatians 3:23-29 NLT
The promises of God can change your life. Paul described the law as playing the role of a tutor – the Lord gave the law to instruct people how to live until we could receive the inheritance. The inheritance is the Holy Spirit, a new heart, and a new will to follow the ways of the Lord (Jer 31:31-34; Eze 36:26-27). Now that the promised inheritance had come through Christ, we no longer follow the tutor. We live by trusting Jesus.
We have a new identity from the Father, through the sacrifice of Jesus and the presence of the Spirit. In the ancient world the oldest son was the heir and had special standing in the family. In Christ all believers are heirs of Abraham’s promise; we are all the “firstborn son” with special standing – Jew, Gentile, slave, free, men and women. Realize and remember who you are in Christ. You are not a slave but free in Christ. So often we don’t live out this freedom. So often we don’t live like we are God’s special children. You don’t earn the Father’s love; you receive it. Live out God’s mission as His dearly loved child. Receive His love and share that love with every person in your life.
How do these verses help you understand the Old Testament laws? How can you posture your life to receive the love of God?
