Galatians 3:15-22

Galatians 3:15-22
¹⁵ Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. ¹⁶ The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

Wow.  I have no idea how many times I've read or studied Galatians and this is the first time these verses pop out at me. (Love that.)  So many people think Christianity is about dos and don'ts. That's not it at all.  It's not the rules, it's Jesus.  Those of us who follow Christ will live by faith according to his leading, but that is not what saves us.

¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. ²⁰ A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

It was given to point out sin so that people would know they need a savior.

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. ²² But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

The law cannot and does not save.  If you are trying to earn you salvation through obeying a set of rules by your church denomination or even by following the 10 commandments you will get a sad shock when you die.  Salvation is a gift given to those who believe in Jesus Christ.

God bless.